Best cheap cfl for my needs??

bangthangonme

Active Member
When I upgrade my 400w hps to a 1000w mh/hps (ebay for $189 with bulbs unless anyone tells me they are no good), im gettin some kind of T5 flourescent light or cfl, I have read thats whats recommended for seedling. Right now I have no choice but 2 use my hps on my week and a half old lowryders that im not growin. I kno im burning them, so for the next session, what flourescent light or cfl is going to be cheap and effective for growing about 30 seedlings at a time maybe less, because i have a 2x4x5 grow space and only enough room for so many plants, especially bigger varieties, and need to allow for males and ones that die. So what kind of lighting system should I be lookin at for my needs?
 

Azzid

Active Member
My opinion, i work at NoDo hydro in denver as refrance.

For seedlings a T5 or CFLS are perfect, if you've got CFLS around the house then man dont you dare go waste money on a T5, it would be a total WASTE.

MH is ONLY good for its UV rays, which increase THC potency over generation, and since they do not burn the plants they are ideal for veg. so a 100w would be fine, but if your using a 400w HPS then you should use a 400w MH also, since 100w is not nearly enough for the number of plants a 400w would be used for. ya know?

have fun, happy growing! :)
 

bangthangonme

Active Member
sorry i meant 1000w i edited just now, im asking tho what is the cheapest t5 light system or flourescent that would fit my needs for growing about 25-30 babies at a time.
 

Azzid

Active Member
oh word man. Then that should work.

and again i'm going to suggest you dont spend money on a flourescent lighting system because CFLs work just as good for half the price...

but if you must waste money on a T5 its gonna cost you around 50-100 bucks
 

Shanus

Active Member
Is it just me, or is this muti posted? I couldve sworn I responded to this one somewhere a moment ago. Guess its time for me to log off and go back to organic. haha
 
oh word man. Then that should work.
and again i'm going to suggest you dont spend money on a flourescent lighting system because CFLs work just as good for half the price...
but if you must waste money on a T5 its gonna cost you around 50-100 bucks
My opinion, i work at NoDo hydro in denver as refrance.

For seedlings a T5 or CFLS are perfect, if you've got CFLS around the house then man dont you dare go waste money on a T5, it would be a total WASTE.

MH is ONLY good for its UV rays, which increase THC potency over generation, and since they do not burn the plants they are ideal for veg.

everything in red is wrong.
 

Azzid

Active Member
I was unaware you decided whats right and wrong?
My bad?
lol
how about you justify yourself or else keep it to yourself.
I've been selling hydroponic products for 2 years and have never been corrected or told i was wrong about any of what i just said, so i stand by it.
 

Potentrx7

Active Member
I think a T-5 would be better for the type of growing you plan on doing. Nice large even light distribution. Spanning 30 babies with CFLs would be a bit troublesome to keep every plant consistent but that would depend on how fast you planned on throwing them under MH. I would say around 2 weeks from seed before going under a 1000w MH for sure, that light is intense and could shock the shiz out of them if they weren't somewhat established. Everyone does shit different and everyone grows different shit so do your thing the way it works out for you and best of luck bro!!
 

Potentrx7

Active Member
My opinion, i work at NoDo hydro in denver as refrance.

For seedlings a T5 or CFLS are perfect, if you've got CFLS around the house then man dont you dare go waste money on a T5, it would be a total WASTE.

MH is ONLY good for its UV rays, which increase THC potency over generation, and since they do not burn the plants they are ideal for veg. so a 100w would be fine, but if your using a 400w HPS then you should use a 400w MH also, since 100w is not nearly enough for the number of plants a 400w would be used for. ya know?

have fun, happy growing! :)
Not too sure about MH not burning plants... Distance is very important as a 1000w bulb puts out a shit ton of heat. Also never heard of THC being increased on a generation by lighting. Maybe the plants are healthy and produce optimal potent bud and that's what the message was intended as but THC output of a particular strain is limited by genetics. Not too mention a MH is used during veg when the plant isn't even in prime THC mode, I'd think a HPS would have more inpact on THC production.
Kind of interesting information from someone who works at a hydro store.
 
I've been selling hydroponic products for 2 years and have never been corrected or told i was wrong about any of what i just said, so i stand by it.
ok lets start at the beginning...Florescent systems are better then the plain old CFLS because they have been engineered to work with a certain space, sur ethey cost more than the CFLs you are using but with the increase in yield and the cut down on waste they are hands down a better product than CFL's at walmart or wherever you shop.

T5's being a waste, well I covered that above.

You can not increase potency over generations using a MH bulb and they do burn plants if they are close enough to it, any light does that.

So try a little harder to understand that some people take advice given here as gospel truth..when we know that some people..YOU..should not be allowed to give advice much less wrong advice. :peace:
 

bangthangonme

Active Member
Ive been told to keep the 400w hps as close as 6 inches to the plants, for now im at 18 inches and they are almost 2 weeks old. How far should a 400w and 1000w be from the tops do you think, with and without a cooltube? Anyway im still getin mixed opinions as to whether a cfl or flouro just to start seedlings for a few weeks is unnecessary? thanks every1
 

Purplekrunchie

Well-Known Member
I was unaware you decided whats right and wrong?
My bad?
lol
how about you justify yourself or else keep it to yourself.
I've been selling hydroponic products for 2 years and have never been corrected or told i was wrong about any of what i just said, so i stand by it.
Well I have to concur with Jesus here, saying that MH increases potency is opinion and nothing more. And MH is good for veg because of the bluish hue which resembles the early season sun.. And if you indeed work at a hydro shop, you would know MH puts out heat which can burn plants, if not at a proper distance. The Hydro shop I go to has different lights running to show them, and employees can easily see this.
 
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