New Guy Needs Guidance on CFL Lighting

[fir3dragon]

I'm up here in Alaska, and truly humidity is very rare, I grew up in CT, went to war in Panama, been to the Philippines, so th, at humidity I would worry about. I don't have CFL's, I have a 2ft fixture with 4 bulbs each at 24 watts. 4 6400k and 4 3000k. Today I hit ebay and got some 4 3000k T-5 HO, dolomite in case of soil ph issues, a hydro ph tester just to be sure. It will help in troubleshooting knowing these facts, if something goes wrong, and FF trio nutrient in pints. All the shipping was free except for the bulbs and they were $8.99. I have enough pots lying around here so I am okay with that, I might go as far as to get some solo cups. I hope perlite isn't a must because I am out of money for the month now LOL! I wil be using nice rich Alaskan soil as the medium, so we'll see how that runs.

Namaste

Jeff

i would advise perlite for sure

 

[DharmaBud]

I can't remember if I said this before, but the max I will have in the grow tent is two plants, I think one 4 bulb fixture in that proximity should do well with the plants. I don't foresee any canopy depth enough to keep the good light from getting to the right places. Then again I'm new and know it. Just going on what logic I know so far.

Jeff

 

[Darth Budder]

So if you can't get perlite before you pot then just throw a bunch of pebbles, like 1/4 to half an inch depending on how big a pot you are working with, on the bottom of the pots to help with aeration and don't soft out the little pebbles you dig up if there are any. The soil I am using for moms is 40% perlite, so don't be shy with filler

db

 

[Bakatare666]

So if you can't get perlite before you pot then just throw a bunch of pebbles, like 1/4 to half an inch depending on how big a pot you are working with, on the bottom of the pots to help with aeration and don't soft out the little pebbles you dig up if there are any. The soil I am using for moms is 40% perlite, so don't be shy with filler

db

I do about 40% as well.

 

[DharmaBud]

Tell me something guy's. If I use true blue Alaskan soil, do I run the risk of parasites, or is that something that rarely occurs?

 

[Bakatare666]

Tell me something guy's. If I use true blue Alaskan soil, do I run the risk of parasites, or is that something that rarely occurs?

I haven't heard any comments about anything 'Alaskan' regarding soil, but I read several times suggestions saying do NOT use Alaskan Morbloom outside and not expect animals.
Everything I read says it works great, but apparently it will attract anything with 4 legs.

 

[Ninjabowler]

I just scrolled quickly through the thread and figured id add my two pennies. Small tent, personal smoke stash only. Cfl vs 400w. No contest. Buy what will give you the best results and what you will not have to replace eventually when you get curious what the cadillac of grow lights will really do. 400 w high pressure sodium. Theres a reason why most of us use them. Its cause theyre the best and after we all tried using cfls, leds, and floro tubes to save heat or whatever reason we had to go with less than perfect, in our quest to grow better than the next guy, we caved and picked up some hps lights. I say do it right, do it once, dont buy twice. Grab an hps and deal with whatever you need to to make it work. Even if it means taking a couple extra weeks to get up and running, you will be happier with the outcome and be able to produce more bud, better quality, which will pay for itself.....right?

 

[Darth Budder]

Tell me something guy's. If I use true blue Alaskan soil, do I run the risk of parasites, or is that something that rarely occurs?

I hear some folks sterilize their dug up soil in the oven. It stinks, but it works. But, I think you also kill the beneficial bacteria as well which helps the plants take up nutes. I wouldn't use my yard soil, I know for a fact it's filled with grubs. In a pinch we have a yard waste recycling center here on town that lets you take the compost they make for free.

It might be worn the gas to go pick up a few bags of soil. Soil, unless you are talking promix fox farm stuff, is cheap but I know it's a full tank of gas for you.

DB

 

[DharmaBud]

I just scrolled quickly through the thread and figured id add my two pennies. Small tent, personal smoke stash only. Cfl vs 400w. No contest. Buy what will give you the best results and what you will not have to replace eventually when you get curious what the cadillac of grow lights will really do. 400 w high pressure sodium. Theres a reason why most of us use them. Its cause theyre the best and after we all tried using cfls, leds, and floro tubes to save heat or whatever reason we had to go with less than perfect, in our quest to grow better than the next guy, we caved and picked up some hps lights. I say do it right, do it once, dont buy twice. Grab an hps and deal with whatever you need to to make it work. Even if it means taking a couple extra weeks to get up and running, you will be happier with the outcome and be able to produce more bud, better quality, which will pay for itself.....right?

Ninja,

Problem with HPS I had is I don't have an effective way to get rid of the heat, best I can do is a fan. I live in a little 12'x16' cabin, no air conditioner, no space to go CFM route. SO HPS is a little out of my reach for what I have to work with unfortunately. If I got an HPS system, the only thing I would need for cooling is a CFM? I believe my tent can handle 4" size, I'd have to double check. I never even considered it though, but what are even quality brand names when it comes to ballast?

 

[Ninjabowler]

They say neccesity is the mother of invention. One of the first grow tents i ever saw had a single 400 watt hps in it. Three relatively small plants that looked amazing, and then i smoked some of the best weed ever and it came out of that tent. That hps wasnt even air cooled. Can you post a picture of what your working with? I bet RIU can figure out how to do it. Regardless of what method you choose. Youll need some type of circulation inline fan. This helps with mites, powdery mildew, and co2 depletion. Trust me when i say that every dollar you invest you will get back if you are a good parent to your plants. Thats the reason i always suggest to people that your best off getting the first time so you dont have to get it twice. Also theres no blaming equipment for grower error lol. Personal message me if you ever need any help, have any questions, want an opinion, or even a run through of how to do anything your unsure of. Im happy to help.....ninja vanish

 

[DRiggins]

I can't remember if I said this before, but the max I will have in the grow tent is two plants, I think one 4 bulb fixture in that proximity should do well with the plants. I don't foresee any canopy depth enough to keep the good light from getting to the right places. Then again I'm new and know it. Just going on what logic I know so far.

Jeff

I'm glad you went with something other than CFL lighting. I made the horrible mistake of being cheap and it cost me more in the long run.

Sure you can vegetate using CFL lights but it takes FOREVER to flower. Months and months and months.
I spent more on splitters, bulbs, cords, etc than it would have cost for nice HPS setup.

Some say CFLs don't get hot. They do. You have to have very good ventilation or you can run temps up to and over 100 F in a nice size grow box with just 6 lights.

The only way to get proper light using CFLs is to buy the very large expensive bulbs (almost the price of a 150 watt HPS mini system) or have a million small bulbs WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD.

I was a big supporter of discount CFL setups in the past but now know they are not the right tool for the job of growing.

 

[DharmaBud]

I used a soil ph kit on a mound of dirt that had been sitting composting with humus and cow dung and was getting readings from ph 5 to 8.5. I thought I was screwing up, so I called this guy at the soil conservation center here in Alaska. He said to me "sounds about right"!!!! The myth that Alaska soil is rich isn't entirely true he explained. Because of our short warm periods, there isn't time for anything to decompose in a normal manner, so you will never get a consistent ph. He said that's why there isn't a plethora of crops that will grow up here. the soil is to inconsistent and needs constant management when gardening those vegetables that aren't ph tolerant.

Well with no other choice, because I am a beginner and I am no where near ready to ad constant ph management to my list of things when my growing starts, I found a store to ship me some Fox Farms Ocean. Total cost though was $60 bucks. I tried to see if a couple of friends were going up to Fairbanks before I made the decision, but nobody was going in the near future.

Our local nurseries carry miracle gro potting soil, that's the best I could get out of them, so in the end being surrounded by rich soil I can't use sucks.

The good news is that I should be able to fill a couple of 5 gallon containers of the soil and since I won't be growing more than a couple plants maximum it should be okay. I do want to explore trying to find a small space to do some cloning in though, especially the strains I like, but that will be put off until I see how I do with what I have.

I have a lot of people who believe a 4 bulb T-5 HO fixture won't be enough, I don't concur, especially with the little space I'm working with and the fact that I will only be managing two plants. The tent should be here by tomorrow or Wednesday the latest. My bank should clear the money to paypal by tomorrow for paying our overseas company. That's where it stands right now though. Well wishes to all!!!

Namaste
Tashi Delek

Jeff

 

[Darth Budder]

I used a soil ph kit on a mound of dirt that had been sitting composting with humus and cow dung and was getting readings from ph 5 to 8.5. I thought I was screwing up, so I called this guy at the soil conservation center here in Alaska. He said to me "sounds about right"!!!! The myth that Alaska soil is rich isn't entirely true he explained. Because of our short warm periods, there isn't time for anything to decompose in a normal manner, so you will never get a consistent ph. He said that's why there isn't a plethora of crops that will grow up here. the soil is to inconsistent and needs constant management when gardening those vegetables that aren't ph tolerant.

Well with no other choice, because I am a beginner and I am no where near ready to ad constant ph management to my list of things when my growing starts, I found a store to ship me some Fox Farms Ocean. Total cost though was $60 bucks. I tried to see if a couple of friends were going up to Fairbanks before I made the decision, but nobody was going in the near future.

Our local nurseries carry miracle gro potting soil, that's the best I could get out of them, so in the end being surrounded by rich soil I can't use sucks.

The good news is that I should be able to fill a couple of 5 gallon containers of the soil and since I won't be growing more than a couple plants maximum it should be okay. I do want to explore trying to find a small space to do some cloning in though, especially the strains I like, but that will be put off until I see how I do with what I have.

I have a lot of people who believe a 4 bulb T-5 HO fixture won't be enough, I don't concur, especially with the little space I'm working with and the fact that I will only be managing two plants. The tent should be here by tomorrow or Wednesday the latest. My bank should clear the money to paypal by tomorrow for paying our overseas company. That's where it stands right now though. Well wishes to all!!!

Namaste
Tashi Delek

Jeff

So, first, your gonna get a lot of folks that tell you it's stupid or impossible to grow with CFls. Don't listen, do what you can afford and what you are comfortable with. You are growing for you, not customers and not to folks on riu. I have grown and flowered I. All cfl, and not nearly the nice equipment you are considering. Plus you have the fact that you are trying to conserve electricity since the land lord is lookin.

Second, that ffof will be too hot for your seedlings. It's great soil, but do the first 3 nodes or so in something lighter. But MJ is a ph tolerant plant. Take your compost, add perlite which is cheaper then ffof, and the dolomite you already ordered and you should be set dude.

And finally, tthe place is full of people who will tell you all sorts of shit. Some people are commercial growers or caregivers and have very specific standards. Some folks think that if you grow any way but the way they are you are wasting time, money, and bandwith even trying. Relax, it's a plant. It wants to live and reproduce and unless really really really fuck it up it will.

DB

 

[Ninjabowler]

Jeff you can do whatever ya want man. Were just tellin ya the best way. Floro tube setups can have problems with undergrowth dying off from lack of penetration in the center of the plant. Also if you run tubes a scrog might be benificial for your cannopy control. Were just here to help, contrary to vadars opinion riu aint about pushing your ways on people, its about growers helping growers by suggesting things they may not have thought of yet and trying to avert disasters. Which is why people post journals in the first place. But if i told our man jeff to do things i didnt believe to be true or the best way, well then id be selling myself, and jeff short vaders right on the soil comment for the seedlings, some s33d starter mix would be better than ffof soil, but i thought you got miracle grow?? What ever, either way if the local nursery is close a bag of seed starter mix wouldnt be a bad investment. If ya got no choice the miracle grow would probly work in a pinch if you flush a small containers worth a couple times and let it dry. Have fun man, thats all that counts

 

[Darth Budder]

Jeff you can do whatever ya want man. Were just tellin ya the best way. Floro tube setups can have problems with undergrowth dying off from lack of penetration in the center of the plant. Also if you run tubes a scrog might be benificial for your cannopy control. Were just here to help, contrary to vadars opinion riu aint about pushing your ways on people, its about growers helping growers by suggesting things they may not have thought of yet and trying to avert disasters. Which is why people post journals in the first place. But if i told our man jeff to do things i didnt believe to be true or the best way, well then id be selling myself, and jeff short vaders right on the soil comment for the seedlings, some s33d starter mix would be better than ffof soil, but i thought you got miracle grow?? What ever, either way if the local nursery is close a bag of seed starter mix wouldnt be a bad investment. If ya got no choice the miracle grow would probly work in a pinch if you flush a small containers worth a couple times and let it dry. Have fun man, thats all that counts

ninja, come on, don't tell me you haven't seen the guys that do everything to discourage a guy from growin with anything but soil hps and mh. And the guys that's to the cfl forum and post 'you'll never get it to flower, you need hps.' It's ver discouraging .


ps. Ninj, I've seen you around and even got advice from your posts, please don't think I'm including you in this grow, all respect

 

[Bakatare666]

So, first, your gonna get a lot of folks that tell you it's stupid or impossible to grow with CFls. Don't listen, do what you can afford and what you are comfortable with. You are growing for you, not customers and not to folks on riu. I have grown and flowered I. All cfl, and not nearly the nice equipment you are considering. Plus you have the fact that you are trying to conserve electricity since the land lord is lookin.

Second, that ffof will be too hot for your seedlings. It's great soil, but do the first 3 nodes or so in something lighter. But MJ is a ph tolerant plant. Take your compost, add perlite which is cheaper then ffof, and the dolomite you already ordered and you should be set dude.

And finally, tthe place is full of people who will tell you all sorts of shit. Some people are commercial growers or caregivers and have very specific standards. Some folks think that if you grow any way but the way they are you are wasting time, money, and bandwith even trying. Relax, it's a plant. It wants to live and reproduce and unless really really really fuck it up it will.

DB

My Winter grow, 98w of CFL's to veg and even a month and half into flower, then added more to bring it up to 305w, finished with right at 2 3/4 oz. from one plant, even at the end wasn't even 10 bucks a month on the electric bill.
**I even used MG soil and nutes despite what some said

 

[DharmaBud]

Jeff you can do whatever ya want man. Were just tellin ya the best way. Floro tube setups can have problems with undergrowth dying off from lack of penetration in the center of the plant. Also if you run tubes a scrog might be benificial for your cannopy control. Were just here to help, contrary to vadars opinion riu aint about pushing your ways on people, its about growers helping growers by suggesting things they may not have thought of yet and trying to avert disasters. Which is why people post journals in the first place. But if i told our man jeff to do things i didnt believe to be true or the best way, well then id be selling myself, and jeff short vaders right on the soil comment for the seedlings, some s33d starter mix would be better than ffof soil, but i thought you got miracle grow?? What ever, either way if the local nursery is close a bag of seed starter mix wouldnt be a bad investment. If ya got no choice the miracle grow would probly work in a pinch if you flush a small containers worth a couple times and let it dry. Have fun man, thats all that counts

I have read and been told that miracle grow is a bigg no-no for nj plants, not sure specifically why. To put to rest the lighting debate. I had enough money to invest in something more than CFL's, if I had bought a HPS/MH system, I wouldn't have the grow tent to put it in, or the seed nor soil to light them up with. So I took the middle road and have my cake and am gonna eat it too.

Namaste

Jeff

 

[Ninjabowler]

I have read and been told that miracle grow is a bigg no-no for nj plants, not sure specifically why. To put to rest the lighting debate. I had enough money to invest in something more than CFL's, if I had bought a HPS/MH system, I wouldn't have the grow tent to put it in, or the seed nor soil to light them up with. So I took the middle road and have my cake and am gonna eat it too.

Namaste

Jeff

dont worry, the cake will taste great when its done baking ya jeff mj will grow in anything, like vader said its a resiliant plant. Thats why they named her weed. Shit ive seen it sprouted in a cup of wet rice, grown in water, dirt, coconut chips, in those topsy turvy upside down tomato holders, rocks, compost piles, you name it, its been done. The difference is a couple grams more or less really. Growing is a hobby that very easily becomes an addiction because of how fun it is, and how cool it is watching a seed grow into a flowering plant and then ya get to smoke it. AWSOME!!! How dare those bastards make it illegal and spoil our fun. I heard its going on floridas ballot. Hope she passes cant wait for pics and updates. Dont over water like every new grower does. Oh, that reminds me, its time for me to water

 

[ALHpancyan]

Keep updating on this thread. interested to see the results.