Questions regarding CFL & small grow boxes.

HashSmoke420

Active Member
So, I currently have a CFL light 780 lumens and 2700K specter. I want to grow an Indica variety in a square grow box that is at dimensions for each side: width 30 cm height 80 cm (The cubature of the box is 6300 cm). The insides of the walls of the grow box are coated with light reflecting material of good quality and I'll use a custom made reflector for the CFL to redirect maximum light.

Is this setup any good?
Will a single CFL 780 lumens and 2700K specter be enough to successfully harvest dope and what would be the quality?

I have 3 CFLs of that type currently and ready to go with 3 grow boxes of that type.

I can perhaps afford to buy 3 additional CFLs at 1520 lumens and 2700K spector in the next 1 - 2 weeks but that's my maximum.

Please skip the advices to go with better lights 'cause I would if I had access to some ... My aim is to harvest about 20g per plant of 3 of good quality, medium will be fine too I guess. Is that possible or what should I adjust to the lightning according to my maximum?

Thanks everyone for the participation!
 

ptrot420

Member
for veg, you will want 5000K mixed with 6500K lights (blues) run at 16-20hr on
for flower hold on to those 2700K lights (reds) run at 12 hours on

also it is spectrum I believe you are referring to.
 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
My bad I shouldn't have said k
Sun throws 7,000 lumens per sqft

I don't worry much about spectrum..I've vegged and flowered with hps and done the same with mh....that's not to say there aren't differences though(I normally veg under hps still)
 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Well depending on all sorts of environmental conditions it varies but between 7-10,000 lumens is what the sun puts out at its brightest..10,000 constantly can bleach though (I purposely bleach some of my sativas, I wouldnt suggest that though till your experienced/know the strains reaction)
 

HashSmoke420

Active Member
Yeah, I'm going to grow a pure Indica. :D I'm thinking to scrog too. I just want to get some fine weed for me and my friends.
 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Nah man
Hps bulbs are cheap..you have to have the ballast and stuff to make it work

I got a 600 watt cool tube for $189 shipped on amazon..apollo
 

HashSmoke420

Active Member
I was told 400 W HPS costs about ... 200 $. o_O
Well, HPS isn't going to be good for a stealth grow, is it? I understand it emits a lot of heat ...

Sorry to ask this dumb question, but I am googling 3 days now ... What would be the heat difference emitted by 150W, 250W and 400W HPS?

Also does anyone knows how many lumens a quartz lamp emits? :D

Appears 150W HPS has about 15 000 lumens which is HELLS enough to me ... If it doesn't emit much light and has a cheap ballast, I'm going to rather take it and work with it instead paying way more for CFL lamps that can't accurately reach even the minimum of 3 000 lumens.
 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Temp coming in 72°
Temp 12" from bottom of bulb (canopy) 75°
Temp 6" above cool tube 76°
Open grow 600 watt cool tube
Never ran others
 

HashSmoke420

Active Member
Farnehain or Celsius and that is your 600W HPS? I assume celsius but that's a bit too much I guess ... If it's 600W HPS then it'll be okay for me to use a 150W HPS.

But does this 150W require ballast?
 

HashSmoke420

Active Member
Ahh Farenhain! Then I'm ALL COOL - to mention. :D
Indeed I googled it and I need a ballast, which makes my plan go nuts 'cause that will increase the bill for the bulb itself.

But my next and perhaps last question is where to buy the ballast from?
 

mrroll

Member
Hi Hashsmoke420
You could try a CFL bulb Mate, I have just started my 3rd grow with a 300w blue spe bulb for veg, then switching to my 600w HPS bulb for flower when it comes.
This is a link to one on ebay that might do u
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-300w-CFL-Dual-Spectrum-Grow-Flowering-Lamp-Bulb-E40-Light-Pendant-/231076479306?pt=UK_Baby_Baby_Feeding_Bottle_Warmers_Coolers_LE&hash=item35cd3b414a#ht_3773wt_1091

most HPS or HID bulbs need a ballast that I know of, but this plugs in to your right into the wall. :leaf:
 

HashSmoke420

Active Member
Indeed, I'm looking for something affordable for an uber-budget grow ... I found out that Mercury lamps can use no ballast and still are quite powerful and really cheap as bulb price. :) I'll be looking forward to buy a Mercury lamp.
 

Dribbles

Member
Ahh Farenhain! Then I'm ALL COOL - to mention. :D
Indeed I googled it and I need a ballast, which makes my plan go nuts 'cause that will increase the bill for the bulb itself.

But my next and perhaps last question is where to buy the ballast from?
All HPS bulbs require a ballast and, having a larger plug than regular edison bulbs, a matching socket.

Regardless the size or wattage, you'll be looking at significantly more heat than CFLs although, granted, with an HID you can at least place the ballast outside the grow box. CFLs have their ballasts at the base of the bulb, and do contribute heat (albeit so little it's no issue).

Any event, if you're looking at an HID (HPS or Metal Halide) you will want to re-assess/design you're grow box. A 400W HPS "filiment" burns at a temperature of around 1200oC, and although a 100-150W might be smaller, It'll burn at a similar temp.

So good ventilation - at a minimum - is mandatory.
 

HashSmoke420

Active Member
Yeah, thank you for the reply Dribbles! I'm decided that a Mercury lamp is not an efficient way to go with so I'd rather stick to CFLs, I found some cheap ass CFLs in local shop but the socket they use is what concerns me, it's - GX24Q-4. I have some experience with electricity, used to make my own fixes in this house, including changing all the cables in the walls and the general power source of it, but this socket I'm unfamiliar with.
 
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