1st Grow... Working with what I got!

BIG QUESTION!!! I found some cfls that are 6500K, and i want to get them to put directly down by the plants... but i cannot find anyway to legitimately 'hang' them over my set up... Obviously using one of those Y splitters would help, but what the hell do I attach that to??? If a clamp light is for an incandescent, can it be used with a cfl? Am I just retarded right now???... I have been searching for full spectrum lights on-line for a bit now. LOL. I want to know how others have set them up and what you have used in order to have them hanging down to the pants.... PLEASE HELP... Im so lost right now

ok... I think I may have figured it out... I am going to get two twin socket (Y) adapters, and two outlet to socket plugs... attach into power strip, hang as desired... all together for a brand new lighting system, with 4 13watt 6500k CFLs... about $20... possibly double the system and i think it might work out just fine. Going to keep the fluoros around, but not up close and personal like I want these to get! Yay? Nay?

Here are some items you may find usefull all available at Home Depot.

captbooyah said:

ok... I think I may have figured it out... I am going to get two twin socket (Y) adapters, and two outlet to socket plugs... attach into power strip, hang as desired... all together for a brand new lighting system, with 4 13watt 6500k CFLs... about $20... possibly double the system and i think it might work out just fine. Going to keep the fluoros around, but not up close and personal like I want these to get! Yay? Nay?

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Here comes the naysayer again, look out. just get a nice 4 foot 6 tube t5, 350 watts or so, 30k lumens. get one with half veg and half flower tubes and you can use the same light for both . 160 bux for a nice hydrofarm 6 tube t5. I've got 4 plants and 12 clones under one

dbkick said:

Here comes the naysayer again, look out. just get a nice 4 foot 6 tube t5, 350 watts or so, 30k lumens. get one with half veg and half flower tubes and you can use the same light for both . 160 bux for a nice hydrofarm 6 tube t5. I've got 4 plants and 12 clones under one

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Although I agree with the T5 HO recommendation if Hubby has her on a tight budget the small clfs or singlle large CFL will be less expensive IN THE SHORT RUN.

I highly reccomend a single 125w 6500k for veg and a 250w 2700k for flower, keep in mind these have mogul bases



https://www.jollygreenhydro.com/onlinestore/product.php?productid=17135&cat=395&page=1

I almost went with some high output cfls (high dollar too) , was hydrofarm I believe, they'll sell you a lamp and a reflector but its much pricier than a t5 fixture and you don't just toss the unit WHEN the life is up on the tube(24000 hours for t5 , dunno how long on cfl), you just replace tubes, with a cfl you'll be replacing ballast and tube because its one unit. yeah, like those, 100 bux for the 250.

I really wouldn't bother with CFL's if i were you, unless you plan to use them with an HPS to light up the corners of your room. Cos their poor penetration means that they only light the parts of the plants right next to them effectively. And you have got more than a closet grow, so not the choice for you. Get a couple of these - http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sunshine-Gardenhouse-Sunshine-400W-HPS-Light/11336113
Also, as your in a basement, heat won't be much of an issue for you even in summer, in fact the heat from the lights will save yoiu cash on using the fan heater most of the time.

captbooyah said:

BIG QUESTION!!! I found some cfls that are 6500K, and i want to get them to put directly down by the plants... but i cannot find anyway to legitimately 'hang' them over my set up... Obviously using one of those Y splitters would help, but what the hell do I attach that to??? If a clamp light is for an incandescent, can it be used with a cfl? Am I just retarded right now???... I have been searching for full spectrum lights on-line for a bit now. LOL. I want to know how others have set them up and what you have used in order to have them hanging down to the pants.... PLEASE HELP... Im so lost right now

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Sorry, I was lazy, and didn'ty read everything.. I thought you planned to uise CFL's for flowering!
The y spliters just need a plank of wood to attach to. Get a row of them in between your tube lights and u'll get a nice lumen boost. Also, look into Metal Halide lights if you wanna grow really bushy plants in veg cycle. More leaves/bushier they are going into flower, the more bud you get.

GOOD NEWS UPDATE: I am very excited to say that I just popped my seed buying cherry!!! Thanks Attitude! Just bought 5 White Widow fem seeds...
View attachment 1339724
It 's making my mouth water just looking at it! My hubby is picking up some FF Ocean Forrest and perlite on his way home... Thankfully there is a indoor garden superstore type place not to far.

As for the lights, thanks for the input everyone! There are so many options... and I am still trying to figure exactly what I want to use.
I found two options for my next grow
400 watt Electronic switchable Ballast hydroponic grow lamp system with metal halide and high pressure sodium light bulbs, cord and hanger -$155

Brite Wing high wattage fluorescent grow lamp fixture with 125 watt CFL grow light 6500K and 2700K -$91

or...
65 watt 6500K CFL from lowes... $9.98, and 13 watt 6500K CLFs 4pk... $8.18 can be used with these to connect... from home depot, Y splitter $2.69, socket with plug, $2.29


dbkick... i have also looked at the t5's, and i could get them less than a mile from my house, but the place is SUPER OVERPRICED!!! LOL... I have been looking online, but its difficult to find one with mixed lighting as you suggested. Possibly have a link for yours? I really think I would only need a 2ft, 4 tube light...

Either way... I can go to the store tonight and get all the cheap light stuff for now... and I can order whatever on-line, but it obviously it's not going to be here until after X-mas, and I need more light before that...

Right now it's 77.9 with 35% humidity... I need to buy a smaller fan (one of those little clip on ones) because mine is a tad to strong even on low... but otherwise, not to much change in the plants. Little bit of growth, but not much

mogul base? A bit confused what would I have to use for those... I found some nova light with 10,000K... that seems like overkill...

haha... I already had the seedlings in MG potting mix, they will probably love the FF compared. LOL... and i'm not sure about starting future seedlings in FF, but I have heard mixed reviews... All trial and error right?

I think you can probably find a cheap metal halide for about the same as you'd spend on those CFL's, and the tube lights you got already will be fine for cuttings. Then thats all sorted for your veg. For flowering, start with a 600w HPS, and add to it if you can afford it.
This may help - http://www.uk420.com/growroomtools2.php
Your aiming for about 2000 lumen/foot

haha, need need need, you don't realize what you've started here, if you get into it you'll be spending hundreds, knocking holes in the walls here and there, duct running all over the place..... its ongoing.

I been trying to find cheap stuff in the USA for you, but not having much luck, might be worth your while getting these shipped from UK - http://www.lightingcentre.com/floodlights/metal-halide.html?gclid=CIPWtba0gKYCFQJO4Qodvz-sow

dbkick said:

http://www.htgsupply.com/Category-Fluorescent-Grow-Lights.asp , look there.
I noticed you said ff ocean forest soil, you don't intend to put your seedlings in that soil do you?? I know nothing about growing in soil but I THINK I've been reading ff ocean forest is hot with nutes, if thats the case you won't want to put the seedlings in that. somebody that knows chime in because I'm only going by speculation basically.

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It is mildly warm, seedlings will show slight burn on first set of leaves and are fine after that.

if you're in a medical weed state chances are theres lots of hydro shops and that means most of them negotiate because theres so much competition.

Captain Jaz said:

I been trying to find cheap stuff in the USA for you, but not having much luck, might be worth your while getting these shipped from UK - http://www.lightingcentre.com/floodlights/metal-halide.html?gclid=CIPWtba0gKYCFQJO4Qodvz-sow

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Just checked for you, shipping to USA is about $20. So you can get this - http://www.lightingcentre.com/floodlights/metal-halide/400w-metal-halide-floodlight-ip65.html For about $90 with shipping. Haven't found anything similar for even twice that price in USA. But like dbkick says, maybe a hydro shop can help.. Especially if you go to them with that price and ask them to beat it.

LOL... you guys rock! Kinda sad that everything seems cheaper over on your end Capt Jaz... Dbkick, I am fully prepared to do demo if i have to (but minimal is always better). Thankfully, I have a very supportive hubby who lets me do whatever makes me happy... and he knows pot makes me happy. LOL... that and I think he realizes that in the long run, growing my own will ultimately save him a lot more money... Again, it's almost overwhelming how many options there are for everything... Lol, starting with reg, fem, auto-flower seeds, and then what medium, lighting, cooling, ventilation, co2... so many things... I want my next set up to have everything I need to be successful, but nothing thats unnecessary