First time stealth DIY build and grow.

[coreywebster]

With limited height more lower wattage bulbs will be better than one big one.
There are a few folks doing it with screw in LEDs. They kick out a fair bit more light than CFL.

 

[KrazyG]

^^^ This!
I use 30 low wattage bulbs, I can swap out to 5000k to veg or mix up spectrum.
If things get too hot remove a couple of bulb, so flexible.

 

[Budda189]

With limited height more lower wattage bulbs will be better than one big one.
There are a few folks doing it with screw in LEDs. They kick out a fair bit more light than CFL.

Thank you! Think I'm gonna try the 2 50w screw in. Seems like it would be perfect for my set up

 

[Budda189]

The bulbs I use are labelled as 15w led, equivalent to 50w incandescent. But when I tested the wattage, the bulb is only consuming 5.5w. So I used the 5.5w as the figure to work from.

You may find the 100w is really a 15-20w bulb and the 50w less. So I would say minimum of 5 bulbs if that's the case.

5 bulbs in my area for just one MAYBE two autos?? You don't think that would be to much. I'm not going for max yeilds.

 

[KrazyG]

5 bulbs in my area for just one MAYBE two autos?? You don't think that would be to much. I'm not going for max yeilds.

From my experience with them it's better to have too much than not enough, you can always remove one.
My space is 20"D x 28"w x 70"h. I flower 2 photo at a time with this
Actual draw from the wall 165w

 

[Budda189]

From my experience with them it's better to have too much than not enough, you can always remove one.
My space is 20"D x 28"w x 70"h. I flower 2 photo at a time with thisView attachment 4291978
Actual draw from the wall 165w

Wow now that's a full spectrum!! Lol your space seems to be about double the hight of mine. Im keeping it simple this go so gonna go grab 2 smaller lights for now and maybe another for back up.

 

[KrazyG]

Wow now that's a full spectrum!! Lol your space seems to be about double the hight of mine. Im keeping it simple this go so gonna go grab 2 smaller lights for now and maybe another for back up.

Yeah I've got a bit carried away with it, 2700k, 5000k, 660nm and uvb. Total cost to build was £75 and that includes spare bulbs.

 

[Budda189]

OK think I've narrowed it down! Any last thoughts before I purchase?

 

[KrazyG]

OK think I've narrowed it down! Any last thoughts before I purchase?

What's your budget?

 

[Budda189]

What's your budget?

No more then 50$.

 

[It's not oregano]

You talking about normal daylight bulbs you can buy at the hardware store? All I seem to be able to find near me are 5000K and 2700K at 1500 lumens. WIsh I could find some 6000+K

5000k will be fine for veg if that is all you can get, bear in mind loads of the guys using strips, boards etc are only using 3000k for the entire grow and are still killing it. Beauty of screw ins is that if you see 6500k bulbs a year later you can simply replace them in seconds.

@Budda189 - @KrazyG is right when he tells you to go for more lower wattage (10-15w each) bulbs spread out, rather than one or two bigger bulbs. Just get some light fittings and screw in bulbs from your local hardware store / supermarket etc and make your own light. More bulbs equals better light coverage than one or two bulbs, and plants can be closer.

Google “store bulbs icmag” and click on the first result. Old thread now, but still being updated, and you can see hundreds of grows using screw in bulbs.

*edit. Found a pic of a veg / drying box i recently made that is pretty much your size (17”wide x 17” deep x 26” high) using 8 screw in bulb sockets from my old light fitting. Worked a treat.

 

[KrazyG]

No more then 50$.

With a $50 budget this is what I would use,
https://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart-60-Watt-Equivalent-A19-Non-Dimmable-LED-Light-Bulb-Soft-White-8-Pack-B7A19A60WUL18/303574541

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Plastic-Keyless-Lamp-Holder-R50-08829-CW4/100356849

 

[Budda189]

Going to h*depot soon! Will these work for the entire grow?(veg/flower). Also picking up a few things to help cover up fan light leakage I spoke of.

Gonna grab two of these(just cover if possibe)or something similar once I get there. Also gonna get flexible duct to help further bent the light. I do know that this will drastically alter my air Flo so I have an extra pc fan that I can attach for some extra pull for exhaust.

 

[KrazyG]

Going to h*depot soon! Will these work for the entire grow?(veg/flower).

Yes buddy but you could get some 5000k daylight as well just to mix it up.

 

[Budda189]

Yes buddy but you could get some 5000k daylight as well just to mix it up.

OK I bought the 8 pack but only able to fit 6 in without bulbs touching. I think I have a solution to get all 8 in tho lol. Also grabed some things for Diy light trap. I don't have time to really mess around with it until later. (It's match day!) Here's a shot of the little ones basking in their new glory lol

This Is Roughly 7-9 days from seed. Just gave it a full watering yesterday after pots were dry/very light.

Any thoughts so far? Can't wait to see these new bulbs in action lol

 

[KrazyG]

OK I bought the 8 pack but only able to fit 6 in without bulbs touching. I think I have a solution to get all 8 in tho lol. Also grabed some things for Diy light trap. I don't have time to really mess around with it until later. (It's match day!) Here's a shot of the little ones basking in their new glory lol

This Is Roughly 7-9 days from seed. Just gave it a full watering yesterday after pots were dry/very light.

Any thoughts so far? Can't wait to see these new bulbs in action lol

You could pop the plastic dome top off each bulb, that will direct more light straight down and you'll gain a little height.

 

[It's not oregano]

Good advice yet again from @KrazyG about the plastic globes, you can see on my pic a few posts up I ripped mine off.
Even if you don’t, your plants will thank you for going this route over CFL’s or blurples.
I know it is only a personal grow for experience, but you may as well get as much reward as possible from it. I would personally go back to 24/0 for a couple of weeks to let the plants get as much light as they can in the early stages. Once they have established themselves you can always drop the hours or learn about low stress training techniques. People on here will always be happy to help.
Good luck.

 

[Budda189]

Good advice yet again from @KrazyG about the plastic globes, you can see on my pic a few posts up I ripped mine off.
Even if you don’t, your plants will thank you for going this route over CFL’s or blurples.
I know it is only a personal grow for experience, but you may as well get as much reward as possible from it. I would personally go back to 24/0 for a couple of weeks to let the plants get as much light as they can in the early stages. Once they have established themselves you can always drop the hours or learn about low stress training techniques. People on here will always be happy to help.
Good luck.

Thank you so much for your input! I did in fact take @KrazyG advice! He's secretly mentoring me he just doesn't know it yet lmfaooo

 

[KrazyG]

Thank you so much for your input! I did in fact take @KrazyG advice! He's secretly mentoring me he just doesn't know it yet lmfaooo

Lol!
Anytime buddy!

 

[Budda189]

OK so I found a way to get the domes off the lights and was able to get all 8 in now! I'm monitoring Temps as week speak. I also found some things for light trap. Tubing is a bit to big so heading back to get sliver flexibility ducting. I'd be able to bent it better. Plants are loving the new set up! Could just be my imagination but they seem to have grown already lol. I think I'm going to stick to the 12/12 schedule do to the height restrictions. Once autos come in I may swith it


P.S. Anyone else noticed the leaves on the deformed one? Im just chucking it up to it being damaged somehow when sprouting? Any other thoughts or causes?