CFL Bulbs and Wattage

[shiftysc]

I plan on using CFLs for at least the flowering stage of my grow; however, I am a little confused on what light fixture to use with certain CFL bulbs.


From what I understand CFL and incandescent bulbs screw into the same types of fixtures. CFLs have the same lumens as incandescent only at a much lower wattage. I was in walmart the other day and was looking at lamps for my house and noticed some of the lamps say max watts for the lamp is 60w incandescent and 13w (MAX) for CFL.

I do not plan to use any house lamp for my grow, but the lights that I am looking at for my grow are rated 75w max (doesnt say anything about incandescent or CFL). Can I put at 75w CFL bulb in this lamp without any problems?

 

[jman23]

is it 75w actual or incandescent value

 

[jman23]

btw your gonna need alot of thos cfls i grow with cfls in the winter and i run 320 actual watts on 1 maybe 2 smaller plants

 

[shiftysc]

All it says it "Rated up to 75w"

 

[jman23]

is the bulb small or big all cfls say the incandescent value also what color temp is it post a pic up if you can so we know what your working with

 

[shiftysc]

btw your gonna need alot of thos cfls i grow with cfls in the winter and i run 320 actual watts on 1 maybe 2 smaller plants

How many CFLs do you have and at what wattage? Maybe I am not looking hard enough, but I cant seem to find lights that can handle high CFL wattage. The CFL bulbs are not a problem since I can find them just about anywhere. I would like to get a few 100/200+ watt CFL, but I cant find lights to use the bulbs.

 

[Gastanker]

Here's a generic copy and paste that might be helpful. You can screw most all 75w CFLs into a standard socket. Go for true wattage and not incandescent equivalent.

For cheap cheap grows I would recommend CFLs. To do it cheap focus on 23w CFLs only (other bulb cost much more $/w and $/lumen) and try to find sales. I can find 23w bulb at the dollar store any day for $1/each to $1 for 2. I can often find sales at home depot for 4 packs for $1. For fixtures I would recommend cheap bathroom vanity lights. These 4 bulb fixtures are only $4.50 http://www.lightingdirect.com/maxim-...ection/p860557

You can easily make adjustable reflectors... With Y splitters ($1.50 each) you can easily double your wattage.

Here's my generic blurb on CFL grows -

I was pulling an oz a week with 388w of CFL here - First CFL Grow - Help appreciated

I would recommend a 3:1 of 6500K:2700K for veg and the opposite for flower.

Keep them small! CFLs don't do nearly as well with large plants unless you keep a clean scrog or LST. I started flowering at this size -

Dropping bulb between plants maximizes plant absorption without the loss of restrike like you would have with a reflector. I tried to cover the canopy in smaller bulbs and submerge larger bulbs between plants.

I would yield ~ 1oz per plant. With 6 in full flower at a time and two others just rotating into the flower box I was able to harvest a plant per week.

This took place in a 2x3x3.5' area of a small closet.
​

 

[shiftysc]

Thank you gastanker! Very helpful post.

 

[jman23]

go buy some bulb plugs nut sure what they are called but looks like a wall plug on one end then buy some double bulb splitters then all you need is extension cords of some sort

 

[Gmz]

Here's a generic copy and paste that might be helpful. You can screw most all 75w CFLs into a standard socket. Go for true wattage and not incandescent equivalent.

For cheap cheap grows I would recommend CFLs. To do it cheap focus on 23w CFLs only (other bulb cost much more $/w and $/lumen) and try to find sales. I can find 23w bulb at the dollar store any day for $1/each to $1 for 2. I can often find sales at home depot for 4 packs for $1. For fixtures I would recommend cheap bathroom vanity lights. These 4 bulb fixtures are only $4.50 http://www.lightingdirect.com/maxim-...ection/p860557

You can easily make adjustable reflectors... With Y splitters ($1.50 each) you can easily double your wattage.

Here's my generic blurb on CFL grows -

I was pulling an oz a week with 388w of CFL here - First CFL Grow - Help appreciated

I would recommend a 3:1 of 6500K:2700K for veg and the opposite for flower.

Keep them small! CFLs don't do nearly as well with large plants unless you keep a clean scrog or LST. I started flowering at this size -

Dropping bulb between plants maximizes plant absorption without the loss of restrike like you would have with a reflector. I tried to cover the canopy in smaller bulbs and submerge larger bulbs between plants.

I would yield ~ 1oz per plant. With 6 in full flower at a time and two others just rotating into the flower box I was able to harvest a plant per week.

This took place in a 2x3x3.5' area of a small closet.
​

I love all you successful CFL growers .

@ The OP, I got my light fixtures from Home Depot, they're like 600 or so watt limit, and were pretty cheap. Then you can just get some Y splitters, and put like 4 bulbs in each lamp.

 

[JRachael]

I love all you successful CFL growers .

@ The OP, I got my light fixtures from Home Depot, they're like 600 or so watt limit, and were pretty cheap. Then you can just get some Y splitters, and put like 4 bulbs in each lamp.

I'm using those reflective clamp lights you get for construction sites and whatnot... but this is my first little baby and I just went back to the store three different times for the right kind of light bulbs. I ended up getting Sylvania "micro-mini CFL's" that are 23 watts with a 100 watt output, 1450 Lumens, and a temperature of 6500K which was recommended to me. As soon as I rigged it up, however, the leaves immediately got wilty and definitely looked burned after just a few hours. Most people are saying to use stronger than this but I think I'm gonna have to get something less strong. I don't understand?

I realize I kind of changed the subject but... I dont know how to post lol