Fluorescent light fixtures

Toddzio

Toddzio

Active Member
I am totally new to this whole growing thing, I am wondering about fluorescent light fixtures. I have seen websites with two 4' t5 bulb fixtures in the $70 range. I was at Lowe's today, and saw a two 4' bulb t5 fixture for $23. As far as I can tell from the websites, the fixtures are functionally identical. Is there a benefit to spending 3x as much on a fixture that I am missing?
 
moash

moash

New Member
Toddzio said:
I am totally new to this whole growing thing, I am wondering about fluorescent light fixtures. I have seen websites with two 4' t5 bulb fixtures in the $70 range. I was at Lowe's today, and saw a two 4' bulb t5 fixture for $23. As far as I can tell from the websites, the fixtures are functionally identical. Is there a benefit to spending 3x as much on a fixture that I am missing?
Click to expand...
not that i know of
 
tSunami13

tSunami13

Active Member
Just go for the correct spectrum of lights. 6500k veg, 2700k flower. But the fixture will work for sure.
 
I

Illegal Smile

Guest
I think the best dollar value in light is in cfls, 42w bulbs at good prices from amazon, and Y adapters to hold 2 bulbs in an ordinary clamp reflector. You do need an extender (with outlets on the side) to bring the Y out far enough. This also allows you to switch 2700 and 6500 easily and mix them even in the same reflector. You should have about 70/30 6500/2700 in veg and the reverse in flower.

Also, remember that cfls lose lumens long before they burn out. Date your bulbs when they are new and use them maybe 3000 hrs max. With 42w yiou can find other places to put them to use for light making it even more economical and ecological.
 
I

Irishgreen

Guest
I LOVE the reusing them elsewhere added benefit! Thanks for the great tip!! :)
 
Nolan

Nolan

Active Member
Hey everyone, this is my first post. I've been on this forum for a few days now learning as much as I can.
Anyways, I've started germinating my seeds and I was wondering about some lighting.
I'm on a budget so I've picked up four 5000k CFL's (They didn't have 6500k at home depot) to start with, so I'll be upgrading those soon.
I was wondering if that will work out for a few days to a week or so, and also I was wondering if I could get an opinion on this light system I found that is meant for photography.

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Lumiere-L.A.-100-watt-Tabletop-Photo-Studio-Lights/3346114/product.html

Thank you
 
I

Illegal Smile

Guest
Nolan said:
Hey everyone, this is my first post. I've been on this forum for a few days now learning as much as I can.
Anyways, I've started germinating my seeds and I was wondering about some lighting.
I'm on a budget so I've picked up four 5000k CFL's (They didn't have 6500k at home depot) to start with, so I'll be upgrading those soon.
I was wondering if that will work out for a few days to a week or so, and also I was wondering if I could get an opinion on this light system I found that is meant for photography.

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Lumiere-L.A.-100-watt-Tabletop-Photo-Studio-Lights/3346114/product.html

Thank you
Click to expand...
How many watts actual are your 5000k bulbs? Soil or water? How big is the grow area? How many plants? On that system, nah - go with 40-42w cfls and put two in a 12.99 Lowes reflector with a Y adapter. Flexible, easy to mix on spectrum and change around.
 
Nolan

Nolan

Active Member
Illegal Smile said:
How many watts actual are your 5000k bulbs? Soil or water? How big is the grow area? How many plants? On that system, nah - go with 40-42w cfls and put two in a 12.99 Lowes reflector with a Y adapter. Flexible, easy to mix on spectrum and change around.
Click to expand...
I believe they are 15 actual watt, these will be in Soil. I'm not sure yet on the grow area, with time I can get more money to get a bigger area, I have 25 or so seeds germinating. I do have some Y adapters and outlet to light fixture adapter things.

I have some pots set up with potting soil to start out with, and I was wondering basically what I will need to have when the time comes, I couldn't find any 40-42watt CFLs at Home Depot, and I don't think I can get to a Lowe's for a couple days (different city haha)
Thanks
 
tSunami13

tSunami13

Active Member
Those will work. If they are 100 watts like they say. Not a bad deal if the stands were included!. If you haven't purchased yet go with what illegal is saying. Much easier to change, and get replacement parts and bulbs, in the right spectrums 6500k and 2700k.
 
A

Astaldoath

Well-Known Member
tSunami13 said:
Those will work. If they are 100 watts like they say. Not a bad deal if the stands were included!. If you haven't purchased yet go with what illegal is saying. Much easier to change, and get replacement parts and bulbs, in the right spectrums 6500k and 2700k.
Click to expand...
23 watt CFLs will work fine I used 7 to veg my 7 plants and they got nice and big
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top