8 or 12 bulb CFL Setup?

[jixan]

The picture above displays a mock-up of the two cabinet designs I have been working over in my head.

Should I go with the 8 or 12 CFL setup. My space is somewhat limited. The cabinet will be 35" x 20" x 48" - WDH I have been planning on making it out of 1x2's, are these strong enough?

The total cost for the 8 bulb setup would be around $190 for the clamp lights, bulbs and twin y adapters.

The total cost for the 12 bulb setup would be close to $270, this is because I would be buying 4 more clamp lights and 8 more bulbs(4 veg and 4 flowering).

So what does everyone think, is the extra money worth it?

 

[HghFlyrJD1]

View attachment 1521154

The picture above displays a mock-up of the two cabinet designs I have been working over in my head.

Should I go with the 8 or 12 CFL setup. My space is somewhat limited. The cabinet will be 35" x 20" x 48" - WDH I have been planning on making it out of 1x2's, are these strong enough?

The total cost for the 8 bulb setup would be around $190 for the clamp lights, bulbs and twin y adapters.

The total cost for the 12 bulb setup would be close to $270, this is because I would be buying 4 more clamp lights and 8 more bulbs(4 veg and 4 flowering).

So what does everyone think, is the extra money worth it?

The more bulbs the better you can never have enough CFLS.

 

[Cdubya]

I would say you have to go with the 12 if you want a good yeild, consider your size and ventalation, if you have the room you can get a 400-600 watt hps for the same price as those cfl's. I'm a cfl grower as well because of size but i had 4 plants in a 3x4x3 box with a homemade 12 light setup and yeilded 6 oz of good tight nugs. Lst is the way to go with cfl's too so you can keep them even with the canopy. good luck

 

[jixan]

I would say you have to go with the 12 if you want a good yeild, consider your size and ventalation, if you have the room you can get a 400-600 watt hps for the same price as those cfl's. I'm a cfl grower as well because of size but i had 4 plants in a 3x4x3 box with a homemade 12 light setup and yeilded 6 oz of good tight nugs. Lst is the way to go with cfl's too so you can keep them even with the canopy. good luck

With the LST how tall did your ladies get? My cabinet can be a bit smaller, which would be better but not nessicary.

 

[makinthemagic]

go with 12 bulbs but be sure to build a reflector

 

[webb107]

The more bulbs the better you can never have enough CFLS.

I would say you have to go with the 12 if you want a good yeild, consider your size and ventalation, if you have the room you can get a 400-600 watt hps for the same price as those cfl's. I'm a cfl grower as well because of size but i had 4 plants in a 3x4x3 box with a homemade 12 light setup and yeilded 6 oz of good tight nugs. Lst is the way to go with cfl's too so you can keep them even with the canopy. good luck

With the LST how tall did your ladies get? My cabinet can be a bit smaller, which would be better but not nessicary.

go with 12 bulbs but be sure to build a reflector

Yep i agree with every thing that is said here go for 12

 

[jixan]

I will be either be hanging black and white poly film, or attaching 1/4" plwood to the sides and painting it with a flat white mattee painting.

 

[jixan]

Would a piece of painted white plywood placed above the lights be sufficent for the reflector?

 

[Metasynth]

Didn't you post this identicle thread yesterday? Why not keep that one going instead of cluttering up the forum??

 

[jixan]

I didn't think I did, I thought that I accidentally just previewed it and didn't save it. I apologize for the misunderstanding, didn't mean to double post.

 

[jixan]

I have been planning on 1x2's to frame it up, are those going to be sturdy enough to hang all the lights from?

 

[Chocha]

I'd use 2x4 for inside frame... and 4x4 for the four posts.

 

[jixan]

The 4x4's seem like that would be adding a lot of weight... would they be necessary?

 

[asdf1]

What wattage bulbs are you gonna use???

 

[asdf1]

And might i suggest using a third fixture like in the 8 bulb design, to add 4 more with only one clamp light fixture....

I would suggest using lamp cords too, they are cheaper... check thrift stores or i know ikea carries them for like 3 bucks...

Or even just buy a lamp holder from home depot for like 1.50 or something cheap like that.... Splice up an old extension cord wire it and your good to go...

 

[jixan]

What wattage bulbs are you gonna use???

I am going to use 12 23 watt for veg, and 12 42 watts for flowering.

And might i suggest using a third fixture like in the 8 bulb design, to add 4 more with only one clamp light fixture....

I would suggest using lamp cords too, they are cheaper... check thrift stores or i know ikea carries them for like 3 bucks...

Or even just buy a lamp holder from home depot for like 1.50 or something cheap like that.... Splice up an old extension cord wire it and your good to go...

I already have all the clamps lights, I ended up buying 6 of the 10.5 Brooder Lights from Home Depot (the ones with the ceramic bases). I was personally just more comfortable spending the money on the nicer bases since each light will be holding 2 lights. Better safe than sorry, it is nowhere near maxing out the fixture but you never now.

 

[Chocha]

Sorry for 12 cfl bulbs I think 1x3 might be able to do it, however you'd have to be strategic and build cross braces. Go with 2x4


I originally thought the thread was a 400w thread.. so in the future you'll upgrade the light +fan, which adds more weight etc etc = 4x4

 

[jixan]

After all of this, I think that I am going to move the grow outside of a cabinet and just have it in the closet. It seems like much less of a hassle and the space that I am growing will be a 5x5x8 closet so I can just use the clothes bar to suspend my lighting from.

I do have a question though, with CFL's light loss being so severe would I have to worry about mylar/ poly film for the area because of using CFL's? I will of course have reflectors above the lights.

 

[rollin in grass]

Wont the plant be more susceptable to disease and mold if the plant is in a closet with nothing protecting it ( tent )

 

[Metasynth]

Only if you don't wash your walls and carpet, but a little bleach water sprayed on the walls, and a rental carpet cleaner from the supermarket (Or scrub that shit on your hands and knees and dry thoroughly) should fix ya right up! Just make sure you start off in a clean area, and I don't see why it would make any difference.