CFL lighting question

Tbelt · Jun 7, 2016

Good afternoon. I am using a grow box for stealth. Everything I have read says to put CFL bulbs close to the plants. 1-2 inches. In my boxes the walls are covered in reflective material. Here is the question... Do the bulbs still have to be that close? I moved them based on what I read and the leaves seem to be drying out on some plants while others thrive. I am using 3 100watt 6500 daylight bulbs in a 3 foot box with 3 plants and 4 100watt 6500k daylights in a 4 foot high box also with 3 plants I have 2 fans in the 3 foot box and 3in the 4 foot box. Any ideas would be helpful. The plant in the pic is 2 weeks old.

Thanks

Just Let Me Be Faded · Jun 7, 2016

You can sort of judge it for yourself, the best part of growing is experimenting with different things!

Tbelt · Jun 7, 2016

Just Let Me Be Faded said:
You can sort of judge it for yourself, the best part of growing is experimenting with different things!

Thanks been doing a little of that.

Budgoro88 · Jun 9, 2016

Light diminishes rapidly so move air under it and get as close as you can while not burning it put your hand at plant level is it comfortable that's the sweet spot

Dalek Supreme · Jun 9, 2016

That sounds too close for that much wattage bulb. Try 6" away, then observe. If the lighting hurts the back of your hand after a few minutes then it will hurt your plants.

Budzbuddha · Jun 9, 2016

At least 2-3" ...
As distance increases , your available lumen output drops.
More Light = More Bud ********

CFL Pros :

Low startup
Available everywhere.
Spectrums from 2700 up to 6800 Kelvin
Low cost power
Scalable

Cons :
Poor penetration below a foot ( spiral CFL )
Poor choice for larger grows

But ........ For the SMALLER GROWER ( 1-2 plants ) and AutoFlowers its a great way to grow. These work best for plants under 4 foot.

For early seedlings : keep close ( couple of inches ) 5000k OR HIGHER -
DAYLIGHT BULBS. These have a whiter light with a shift into blue spectrum.
Use at least 100w of CFL to START PLANT. You can split this into TWO BULBS.

Here im using 2 100w ECOSMART ( home depot ) bulbs DAYLIGHT 5000 Kelvin

Example : 2 ( 60 watt ) or 2 ( 40 watt ) .
You will need at LEAST 2000 lumens or better to start plant growth.
PER PLANT !
Even at this level ... Your plants will be weak. This is why the more the better.
You want between 7000 to 10000 lumen. Roughly 4 - 5 bulbs per plant.

You can INCREASE penetration with added side lighting for lower plant areas.

As plant continues to grow : INCREASE NUMBER OF BULBS
Use a MIXED SPECTRUM ( kelvin ) for better results.

This bulb cost 59¢ PER BULB !!!!!!!!
I bought a shitload of these.

Tbelt · Jun 10, 2016

Budgoro88 said:
Light diminishes rapidly so move air under it and get as close as you can while not burning it put your hand at plant level is it comfortable that's the sweet spot

Thanks for the reply and help. I have used the hand test. At no time has the bulb ever made my hand feel hot or uncomfortable. Only one plant in three is doing poorly.

Tbelt · Jun 10, 2016

Dalek Supreme said:
That sounds too close for that much wattage bulb. Try 6" away, then observe. If the lighting hurts the back of your hand after a few minutes then it will hurt your plants.

Thanks for the reply. I will try moving bulbs. Only one plant out of the three in this box doing poorly. I will just have to keep an eye on it.

Tbelt · Jun 10, 2016

Budzbuddha said:
At least 2-3" ...
As distance increases , your available lumen output drops.
More Light = More Bud ********

CFL Pros :

Low startup
Available everywhere.
Spectrums from 2700 up to 6800 Kelvin
Low cost power
Scalable

Cons :
Poor penetration below a foot ( spiral CFL )
Poor choice for larger grows

But ........ For the SMALLER GROWER ( 1-2 plants ) and AutoFlowers its a great way to grow. These work best for plants under 4 foot.

For early seedlings : keep close ( couple of inches ) 5000k OR HIGHER -
DAYLIGHT BULBS. These have a whiter light with a shift into blue spectrum.
Use at least 100w of CFL to START PLANT. You can split this into TWO BULBS.

View attachment 3704161 View attachment 3704164
Here im using 2 100w ECOSMART ( home depot ) bulbs DAYLIGHT 5000 Kelvin

Example : 2 ( 60 watt ) or 2 ( 40 watt ) .
You will need at LEAST 2000 lumens or better to start plant growth.
PER PLANT !
Even at this level ... Your plants will be weak. This is why the more the better.
You want between 7000 to 10000 lumen. Roughly 4 - 5 bulbs per plant.

You can INCREASE penetration with added side lighting for lower plant areas.

As plant continues to grow : INCREASE NUMBER OF BULBS
Use a MIXED SPECTRUM ( kelvin ) for better results.

View attachment 3704170 View attachment 3704169 View attachment 3704171
View attachment 3704172 This bulb cost 59¢ PER BULB !!!!!!!!
I bought a shitload of these.

View attachment 3704173 View attachment 3704174

Thanks great info. Plants look quite healthy.

Dalek Supreme · Jun 10, 2016

Google "grow diy cfl reflector".

Tbelt · Jun 10, 2016

Dalek Supreme said:
Google "grow diy cfl reflector".

I have plenty of reflectors as I am also into salt water reef tanks. Does reflective film on the inside of the box help? I thought it would as it would reflect the light to all parts of the plant. I have it on all 6 sides of the grow box.

I have also moved my 2 sick girls to a box all their own so I can give them special attention all the others doing well

Thanks again everyone. A little nervous on my first grow.

Dalek Supreme · Jun 10, 2016

Tbelt said:
I have plenty of reflectors as I am also into salt water reef tanks. Does reflective film on the inside of the box help? I thought it would as it would reflect the light to all parts of the plant. I have it on all 6 sides of the grow box.

I have also moved my 2 sick girls to a box all their own so I can give them special attention all the others doing well

Thanks again everyone. A little nervous on my first grow.

All 6 sides? Reflecting from the bottom sounds silly to me. Other than that it sounds good.

As long the sick ones are not water saturated, and over nuted? They should turn out fine.

GuyLeDuche · Jun 10, 2016

Tbelt said:
Does reflective film on the inside of the box help?

It does help, but can also hurt depending on what you use. Is it possible you are getting a hot spot on your sick plant? Something like tin foil can focus the light when it gets wrinkly and actually burn plants, or so I've read...

I'm assuming you mean 100w equivalent CFLs, rather than actual? I've only had burns from leaves growing up and touching them, so I doubt the bulbs are the cause, directly at least...

Edit: IMO the best reflective material to use is Diamond Film. Super thick and the most reflective stuff I've used, you can see the plants in the wall lol...

Foothills · Jun 10, 2016

Consider picking up a small digital thermometer and rig it up ( layed flat ) to get a temp reading at the top of your plants. My room is at 72*F with a bit of indirect air blowing over the tops my seedlings. I need to keep 2 100w cfls with a round reflector about 5 inches above the tops, any closer and the tops get heat stressed, which is easy to see and never a good thing. Good luck with your grow !! :joint:

Tbelt · Jun 10, 2016

Foothills said:
Consider picking up a small digital thermometer and rig it up ( layed flat ) to get a temp reading at the top of your plants. My room is at 72*F with a bit of indirect air blowing over the tops my seedlings. I need to keep 2 100w cfls with a round reflector about 5 inches above the tops, any closer and the tops get heat stressed, which is easy to see and never a good thing. Good luck with your grow !!

I am starting to think heat build up is causing some concerns. Just cannot figure out why ony one of 3 is having trouble. I am going to get some digital thermometers this weekend. One for water basin as well.

Tbelt · Jun 10, 2016

GuyLeDuche said:
It does help, but can also hurt depending on what you use. Is it possible you are getting a hot spot on your sick plant? Something like tin foil can focus the light when it gets wrinkly and actually burn plants, or so I've read...

I'm assuming you mean 100w equivalent CFLs, rather than actual? I've only had burns from leaves growing up and touching them, so I doubt the bulbs are the cause, directly at least...

Edit: IMO the best reflective material to use is Diamond Film. Super thick and the most reflective stuff I've used, you can see the plants in the wall lol...

Yup thought that to. Moved plants around. No difference. 2 plants growing like "weeds" and one struggling. Go figure. Thanks for the help

WorktheSystem · Jun 11, 2016

Maybe get yourself a lumens meter. I bought this one and it was the best investment, as I was giving my plants too much light when they were young and burning them out. Here's the link of the one I bought.
https://www.amazon.com/Docooler-Digital-Pocket-Measure-Tester/dp/B00AQT68CO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1465652013&sr=8-6&keywords=lumens+meter

Also, it kind of looks like you're over watering, the leaves look a little droopy.

Tim Fox · Jun 11, 2016

so you have a total of 6 plants? your going to need more bulbs!!!

Hey what are you doing for ventalation in both your stealth grow boxs?

whitebb2727 · Jun 11, 2016

GuyLeDuche said:
It does help, but can also hurt depending on what you use. Is it possible you are getting a hot spot on your sick plant? Something like tin foil can focus the light when it gets wrinkly and actually burn plants, or so I've read...

I'm assuming you mean 100w equivalent CFLs, rather than actual? I've only had burns from leaves growing up and touching them, so I doubt the bulbs are the cause, directly at least...

Edit: IMO the best reflective material to use is Diamond Film. Super thick and the most reflective stuff I've used, you can see the plants in the wall lol...

I don't believe that tinfoil burns plants. Not with cfl.

My t5 reflector is hammer tone aluminium. It is wrinkled aluminium and supposed to be better than Mylar.

Tbelt said:
Good afternoon. I am using a grow box for stealth. Everything I have read says to put CFL bulbs close to the plants. 1-2 inches. In my boxes the walls are covered in reflective material. Here is the question... Do the bulbs still have to be that close? I moved them based on what I read and the leaves seem to be drying out on some plants while others thrive. I am using 3 100watt 6500 daylight bulbs in a 3 foot box with 3 plants and 4 100watt 6500k daylights in a 4 foot high box also with 3 plants I have 2 fans in the 3 foot box and 3in the 4 foot box. Any ideas would be helpful. The plant in the pic is 2 weeks old.

Thanks

Are you stating the actual watts or equivalent?

You need about 100 actual watts to veg a plant 150 to flower and of course more for each plant. That is a minimum.

Tbelt · Jun 11, 2016

WorktheSystem said:
Maybe get yourself a lumens meter. I bought this one and it was the best investment, as I was giving my plants too much light when they were young and burning them out. Here's the link of the one I bought.
https://www.amazon.com/Docooler-Digital-Pocket-Measure-Tester/dp/B00AQT68CO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1465652013&sr=8-6&keywords=lumens+meter

Also, it kind of looks like you're over watering, the leaves look a little droopy.

I,m growing hydro so roots sit in water. I will look into the lumens meter. Thanks for the idea.

CFL lighting question

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