CFL's vs Flouro's

Justcallmedude said:

So here is my question, any feedback would be real... nice

After a lot of research(RIU) I have figured the best way(s) to veg a plant is either with lots of CFLs or the Flouro T5's(each in the 6500k range)

But my question is, Which is an all around better investment? Things I don't know are the prices of a system that will eventually end up under a 1000w MH/HPS, and the rate of growth difference between the two.

I know this is a pretty vague question, but anyone who has seen the differences please chime in and let me know what you think(with listings is possible )

Thanks RIU community~~~ Dude

Click to expand...

vtguitar88 said:

I've never tried T5's. I hear they're effective, but they're real expensive. I think you'd be better off starting seedlings for two weeks under cheap 26-watt CFL's and then switching to the metal halide. I dont' see the point in busting the bank for a T5 system. Halide conversion bulbs can run in an HPS system and are way cheaper per lumen. I have a really nice CFL setup though for starting seedlings and growing other herbs like basili and lettuce and stuff. I just got a 6-socket vanity fixture (3 feet wide) for like 6 bucks from csnlighting.com (clearance). I wired it up over a shelf and put y-splitters in each of the sockets. the shelf is height-adjustable, so, though the fixture is not, I can fairly easily move the plants in relation to the bulbs. these fixtures are very cost effective (six sockets for six bucks, beat that), and also orient the CFLs horizontally over the plants, which renders them most effective. I just built a DIY reflector that I put over the whole fixture. I constructed it from a large cardboard box (the folding seams in a box make a great way to make a real reflector shape easily). Then I just put panda film all along the inside of the cardboard to make a nice reflective surface. It's working great so far.
The only thing better would be if I complete the set up I envisioned, which would entail attaching a board to hang down from the ceiling and attaching another fixture to that to face the fixture facing out from the wall. That way you create a whole canopy of cfs over a space, all for less than 20 bucks for the fixtures, wires, etc. Screw in a bunch of cheap 23 or 26 watters bought in bulk and you have an ideal veg setup for cheap.

Click to expand...

Sir trees alot79 said:

I have been using cfl's for vegging and have had some pretty good results. Its pretty cold in Michigan at the moment, so for me the drawback of the cfl's is that it doesn't raise the temperature. In my 12" by 21" grow area, I'm using 3 42 watt cfl's and a 64 watt cfl bulb. I only have room for 3 or 4 plants at a time, but that's fine in order to maintain a perpetual grow and stay within the Michigan medical marijuana laws. My plants grow really bushy and short, and then when they go under the hps for flowering they grow like crazy and all those side branches turn into huge buds, since I do a little lst during the 1st or 2nd week of flowering.

Click to expand...

Thundernuts said:

I'm using a 200w sunblaster cfl in the 6700k spectrum and it seems to work fine for veg.this is my first real light,so not sure what hps/mh are like.Unfortunately,it turned out to be a male so now it's just my test plant.But it is still a very healthy looking plant,and will give you an idea of veg under a cfl(we'll,my experience under a cfl anyway).Paid $125 for bulb,socket,and reflector kit at local hydro shop.Since you will need a few 20-125w cfl bulbs depending on your needs anyway,you may want to consider looking into a sunblaster bulb.
I'll post a link of my plant in various pics in it's first 39 days from bagseed(if it doesn't work,check out photo albums on my profile).
https://www.rollitup.org/members/thundernuts-197882/albums/new-plant-9936/

Click to expand...