Just tripled the amount of cfl's! Overkill? Increased temp? What do you think guys?

Unlimited One

Unlimited One

Active Member
Only 8 23w cfls( didnt have as many plants yet) 21 23w cfls!
IMG_20120819_131459.jpg IMG_20120915_192918.jpg



On my first indoor grow, So I just got my socket spitters I order online, and I added them to 8 cfl sockets I had I my lil veg closet. I had only 8 6500k 23w clfs, but now I have a total of 21 23w cfl's. 8 6500k's and 16 23w 2700k clf's! I would of split the amount of 6500k and 2700k bulbs but I only have 8 6500k's, and the 2700k's I had lots since I found them at the dollar store two for a dollar! I was wondering if this might be a lil overkill.

I have 11 plants inside this 2 foot by 5 foot closet. two of the girls are in 5 gallon fabric pots, another two are in 3 gall fab pots, one is in a one gal fab pot, and the rest in small 4"x4" plastic pots. I live about 20 miles inland from the central coast so temps get pretty hot. my closet averages about 77 to 88 degrees during the day, and about 70 to 75 at night. I know that adding bulbs, no matter what kind will increase heat, but will it be significant in cfls? Will it be too much light or to bright for the plants? Also, I have heard that 6500k day light is better for vegging, and 2700k better for flowering, will this have a negative impact on the veggitative growth if I have almost twice as much 2700k as 6500k?

Please help out with opinions, comments, or any feedback as it is greatly appreciated. Thanks RIP!
 
T

trunks87

Active Member
Not overkill at all, I have 2 23w and 1 -2 43 w on each plant. But they are at a 1-3 ratio of 2700 to 6500 so... Yeah, I know they're recommended for 6500 for veg, but hey it can't be crazy bad for the plant right? Get yours closer, I see you have it on a chain. You plants need the 1-3 inches to get the most benefit out of these lights, and that won't burn them, so don't worry.

Just save up for your 6500 for your next grow, unless you can afford a couple more 6500 at least. Looks like you're close to needing to switch to flowering soon anyways right?
 
B166ER420

B166ER420

Well-Known Member
Unlimited One said:
Only 8 23w cfls( didnt have as many plants yet) 21 23w cfls!
View attachment 2335934 View attachment 2335935



On my first indoor grow, So I just got my socket spitters I order online, and I added them to 8 cfl sockets I had I my lil veg closet. I had only 8 6500k 23w clfs, but now I have a total of 21 23w cfl's. 8 6500k's and 16 23w 2700k clf's! I would of split the amount of 6500k and 2700k bulbs but I only have 8 6500k's, and the 2700k's I had lots since I found them at the dollar store two for a dollar! I was wondering if this might be a lil overkill.

I have 11 plants inside this 2 foot by 5 foot closet. two of the girls are in 5 gallon fabric pots, another two are in 3 gall fab pots, one is in a one gal fab pot, and the rest in small 4"x4" plastic pots. I live about 20 miles inland from the central coast so temps get pretty hot. my closet averages about 77 to 88 degrees during the day, and about 70 to 75 at night. I know that adding bulbs, no matter what kind will increase heat, but will it be significant in cfls? Will it be too much light or to bright for the plants? Also, I have heard that 6500k day light is better for vegging, and 2700k better for flowering, will this have a negative impact on the veggitative growth if I have almost twice as much 2700k as 6500k?

Please help out with opinions, comments, or any feedback as it is greatly appreciated. Thanks RIP!
Click to expand...


The more the better w/cfl's,using mainly 2700's during veg has caused stretching for me.You can use 5500's if u want,but keep them close to your plants,they won't burn(only if touching)or cause bleaching.It seems that 6500k bulbs are sold out everywhere.Using a mixed spectrum helps.I just got 2 6500k's.I used 2@6500,4@2700 and 12@5500 and now I have 3 bonsai bitches to flower:).A plants genetics come into play also.I'm using street seeds btw.I'm using 14@2700 and 2@6500 for flowering(2 weeks in everythings good).
 
B166ER420

B166ER420

Well-Known Member
My setup is a little more "scientific:)" than the op's,no reflector needed(pics soon,promise),but a reflector would make a diff.You can make a homemade one outta roof flashing(lowes,home depot).
 
jpeg666

jpeg666

Well-Known Member
I found a really cheap way somewhere online. Go to the dryer ventilation section of lowes or home depot and they have aluminium tubes that aren't rolled so it's like a huge half reflective circle.

The metal vents I am talking about are in this video so you know what I am talking about
[video=youtube;Rs_QRorECvo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs_QRorECvo[/video]


I made one I'll go take a picture right now

I made mine with a piece of wood and drilled 2 of those dryer vents to it and it's exactly 4' long. no metal cutting required each vent is 2 feet long :)

DSCN2872 (Large).jpgDSCN2873 (Large).jpgDSCN2874 (Large).jpg

They have different diameters too which means smaller or bigger width of the reflector I think they go from 2 inch diameter to 8 inch The ones in the picture are either a 4 or 5 inch can't remember
 
H

HSA

Well-Known Member
Unlimited: if you had two racks of lights, one in front and one about 6" behind it in back I think I'd like your set up better. That would give you a little more distribution than a single string of lamps overhead. I don't doubt what you have will do to a point but this is the advantage of T-5's if you buy a fixture big enough to 'completely cover' your grow. If you want to use curly-cue CFL's you might want to read SeeMoreBud's book, "MARIJUANA BUDS FOR LESS," since he lights his plants with curly-cues. I hope that helps. HSA
 
superstoner1

superstoner1

Well-Known Member
you really are not getting close to the amount of light you think you are with those bulbs being bare. most of you light is going out and up. without a reflector its a waste.
 
R

richinweed

Active Member
make a big reflecter or two...sturdy cardboard and mylar work good...it never ceases to amaze me with what u guys do with these cfl lights...before riu i would have said cfl is for noobes and fools....now i find it to be more of an art or challenge , and i luv to see the results your achiving with these small lights....
 
Unlimited One

Unlimited One

Active Member
trunks87 said:
Not overkill at all, I have 2 23w and 1 -2 43 w on each plant. But they are at a 1-3 ratio of 2700 to 6500 so... Yeah, I know they're recommended for 6500 for veg, but hey it can't be crazy bad for the plant right? Get yours closer, I see you have it on a chain. You plants need the 1-3 inches to get the most benefit out of these lights, and that won't burn them, so don't worry.

Just save up for your 6500 for your next grow, unless you can afford a couple more 6500 at least. Looks like you're close to needing to switch to flowering soon anyways right?
Click to expand...
Awesome thank you! I did lower the lights to about 2" away from the plants, and yes I will buy more 6500k tonight! I used the 2700k's because that is all I had at the time I got my splitters, but tonight I will add atleast 4 more 6500k
 
Unlimited One

Unlimited One

Active Member
B166ER420 said:
The more the better w/cfl's,using mainly 2700's during veg has caused stretching for me.You can use 5500's if u want,but keep them close to your plants,they won't burn(only if touching)or cause bleaching.It seems that 6500k bulbs are sold out everywhere.Using a mixed spectrum helps.I just got 2 6500k's.I used 2@6500,4@2700 and 12@5500 and now I have 3 bonsai bitches to flower:).A plants genetics come into play also.I'm using street seeds btw.I'm using 14@2700 and 2@6500 for flowering(2 weeks in everythings good).
Click to expand...
Ok thank you! I have already lowered the lights down to about 2-3 inches away, and I will be adding more 6500k bulbs soon. I think I will go with two 6500k's to 1 2700k ratio.
 
Unlimited One

Unlimited One

Active Member
jpeg666 said:
I found a really cheap way somewhere online. Go to the dryer ventilation section of lowes or home depot and they have aluminium tubes that aren't rolled so it's like a huge half reflective circle.

The metal vents I am talking about are in this video so you know what I am talking about
[video=youtube;Rs_QRorECvo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs_QRorECvo[/video]


I made one I'll go take a picture right now

I made mine with a piece of wood and drilled 2 of those dryer vents to it and it's exactly 4' long. no metal cutting required each vent is 2 feet long :)

View attachment 2336129View attachment 2336130View attachment 2336131

They have different diameters too which means smaller or bigger width of the reflector I think they go from 2 inch diameter to 8 inch The ones in the picture are either a 4 or 5 inch can't remember
Click to expand...
Awesome thanks for the info! I will head to Home depot tomorrow to purchase one and add it to my fixture! I looked and its only about $9!!
 
Unlimited One

Unlimited One

Active Member
HSA said:
Unlimited: if you had two racks of lights, one in front and one about 6" behind it in back I think I'd like your set up better. That would give you a little more distribution than a single string of lamps overhead. I don't doubt what you have will do to a point but this is the advantage of T-5's if you buy a fixture big enough to 'completely cover' your grow. If you want to use curly-cue CFL's you might want to read SeeMoreBud's book, "MARIJUANA BUDS FOR LESS," since he lights his plants with curly-cues. I hope that helps. HSA
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info! I am thinking about adding another fixture but not sure if it will fit! Might need a bigger veg room. And thanks for the info about the book, gonna look that literature up right now!!
 
Unlimited One

Unlimited One

Active Member
richinweed said:
make a big reflecter or two...sturdy cardboard and mylar work good...it never ceases to amaze me with what u guys do with these cfl lights...before riu i would have said cfl is for noobes and fools....now i find it to be more of an art or challenge , and i luv to see the results your achiving with these small lights....
Click to expand...
Thanks bud and yea i was surprised to see how big some of these girls have gotten! I originally thought that cfl's only worked until the plant was at a certain height, but I see that the plants keep on growing! Im sure it does not compare to HPS and MH but it does enough! Im debating whether to flower with cfls or use my 600w hps that I bought but have put away.
 
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