Cheap Lightning Alternatives HELP !!

VuDro

VuDro

Member
I am looking for a cheap lightning method for indoor grow for only just 1-2 plants.
Pretty basic soil and miracle grow mix. First time growing.

I am aware that CFL are cheaper but im not sure what to look for. What do i use for flowering? VEGETATIVE? How many do i need?
Also HPS bulbs need a expensive ballast.
I was considering outdoor grow but its illegal and its going to be late August.

Any advice? Thanks for your time
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
VuDro said:
I am looking for a cheap lightning method for indoor grow for only just 1-2 plants.
Pretty basic soil and miracle grow mix. First time growing.

I am aware that CFL are cheaper but im not sure what to look for. What do i use for flowering? VEGETATIVE? How many do i need?
Also HPS bulbs need a expensive ballast.
I was considering outdoor grow but its illegal and its going to be late August.

Any advice? Thanks for your time
Click to expand...
Indoor growing is illegal too. 2 plants can kick on a single 125 watt CFL. 125 TRUE watts - not the equivalency rating. In other words if the box says "Same light as a 125 watt bulb" it is NOT a 125 watt CFL. Now go to the section on lights and read about 2700K versus 6500K and so on. Understand before trying to move ahead. A penny's protection beats a pound of cure.
 
jpeg666

jpeg666

Well-Known Member
VuDro said:
http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Light-Bulbs-CFL-Light-Bulbs/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmat/R-203252142/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UCqBKKBrYuc

Would this^^ 42W Bulb work for 1 plant? Correct me if im wrong but i read on this forum that a 6000K is need for veg. and then lower to 2700k for flowering. And the 42W bulb has 6000k so wouldnt a 125W be more then needed?
Click to expand...
the kelvin rating doesn't go up with watts. A 42W bulb can have 2700k or 6400k Just like a 1000W bulb can have 2700k or 6400k

So no it is not more than needed. You still need a 125W between 5000k and 6400k is recommended for veg. Some people mix 2700k with 6400k bulbs to get a spread out spectrum in veg

http://www.amazon.com/Feliz-Blue-Fluorescent-125W/dp/B0034QE9ZY
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
VuDro said:
http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Light-Bulbs-CFL-Light-Bulbs/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmat/R-203252142/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UCqBKKBrYuc

Would this^^ 42W Bulb work for 1 plant? Correct me if im wrong but i read on this forum that a 6000K is need for veg. and then lower to 2700k for flowering. And the 42W bulb has 6000k so wouldnt a 125W be more then needed?
Click to expand...
No because it isn't 125 watts. It simply provides that much illumination compared to a similar wattage incandescent.
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Dude, I looked at Home Depot's web site. There is not a single CFL that is worth using by itself. Period. There is no bulb rated at even 100 true watts. You're looking at comparative output. Hijo de su pinche madre. Ay mi Dios.
 
VuDro

VuDro

Member
Anybody can take the time and post links to everthing i need?

Trying not to buy online so places like home depot and lowes is preferred.
Lowest prices and first time growing so minimum quality needed but able to support. lol

-Soil mix
-CFL bulbs veg/flower
-Nutrients
-CFL bulb input/socket/base
anything else

Thanks for the quick response and my first time attempting to grow so i know i may be asking ALOT of questions and just going on. sorry
 
VuDro

VuDro

Member
hotrodharley said:
Dude, I looked at Home Depot's web site. There is not a single CFL that is worth using by itself. Period. There is no bulb rated at even 100 true watts. You're looking at comparative output. Hijo de su pinche madre. Ay mi Dios.
Click to expand...
Sorry im doing as much research as i can.

This is what im planning to do.

3x 42W bulbs http://www.homedepot.com/Electrical-Light-Bulbs-CFL-Light-Bulbs/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbmat/R-203252142/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UCqVJKBrYuf

MG Organic potting soil.

16/8 veg
12/12 flowering

VERY basic but people keep telling me different things. like those 3 bulbs would work and then it wouldnt so im just trying to get it all cleared
 
jpeg666

jpeg666

Well-Known Member
Those bulbs will do fine but you will not have a record breaking crop.

VuDro, Don't listen to alot of the people that say things wont work. You can grow a plant with 1 bulb it just won't be very yielding and will be lanky. So yes those 3 42w bulbs will grow your plants hand down point made BUT! they will have trouble growing and won't grow very fast or big
 
VuDro

VuDro

Member
jpeg666 said:
Those bulbs will do fine but you will not have a record breaking crop.

VuDro, Don't listen to alot of the people that say things wont work. You can grow a plant with 1 bulb it just won't be very yielding and will be lanky. So yes those 3 42w bulbs will grow your plants hand down point made BUT! they will have trouble growing and won't grow very fast or big
Click to expand...
So my best bet is go with the bulb you linked me to? What do i use for flowering? and i still need a socket for the bulb
 
FresnoFarmer

FresnoFarmer

Well-Known Member
2700k bulbs are for flowering

I suggest you read the book "Buds For Less" by Seemorebuds.......it walks you through a cheap ass grow.
 
jpeg666

jpeg666

Well-Known Member
Yea but for the big 125W bulbs they usually don't come with a ballast built in like small CFLs do so you might need a ballast to run the bigger CFLs along with a mogul socket.

You can use the same size bulb 125w but just a different spectrum. So you would want to look for a 125W that says 2700k, for flowering instead of 6500k. You still want it to be 125W though just a dif spectrum of light
 
missnu

missnu

Well-Known Member
Just get some CFLs...at least 6 of them...and get whatever splitters and hardware you need to get them hooked up..then turn it on and grow a few plants...then maybe grow a few more, but if you catch the growing bug you won't be using CFLs for long...Because it is hard to get decent yields with them...Some people do, but they also have a whole lot of lights per plant...I like having one light, and numerous plants. So much easier and worth the investment. See how you do with the CFLs and just know how much better it could be with proper lights.
 
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