PuffinDaWeed
Well-Known Member
I just wanted to find what are the best and cheapest bulbs to grow good bud?
Cheapest bulbs i can get to grow yummy buds
- Thread starter PuffinDaWeed
- Start date
Vapor Nation
Well-Known Member
I'm a big fan of CFLs for growing, especially for those just starting out. They are cheap, readily available, and with both types you can cover the full spectrum. Also they are energy efficient, which will help keep the bill low.
used equipment off craigslist is ideal next to that go with the cfls, just be sure to make reflectors for each bulb.
Orithil
Well-Known Member
My 400W HPS was only $180 w/ a 4 year warranty.
GSTrichome79
Well-Known Member
You can get 125W CFL bulbs for under $30 + shipping from here. FYI you'll need to purchase a mogul socket adapter to use these bulbs in a standard bulb socket bc they're quite a bit larger.
http://www.gthydroponic.com/cfl-grow-light-systems/
You can get a 400W Sun System II reflector with built-in ballast, HPS and MH conversion bulbs, +5 year warranty for $159.95 + $19.95 shipping from ebay - here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280618279658#ht_500wt_901
With that HPS setup, the glass and cooling flanges for converting it to an air-cooled hood are sold separately, but can be purchased from the first link if you want them. The only downside is that the SS II weighs like 30 pounds, so make sure you can hang it.
Like others have said, HPS/MH is undoubtedly the best of the two options, but CFL is more economical and can produce pretty decent quality, so it depends on your budget and how potent you're wanting your end result to be. I'll also add that heat is less of a problem with the CFL, so unless you have a decent space, or are prepared to buy or figure out a cooling/ventilation solution, the CFL bulbs might be the best choice. How many you need depends on the size of the grow.
http://www.gthydroponic.com/cfl-grow-light-systems/
You can get a 400W Sun System II reflector with built-in ballast, HPS and MH conversion bulbs, +5 year warranty for $159.95 + $19.95 shipping from ebay - here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280618279658#ht_500wt_901
With that HPS setup, the glass and cooling flanges for converting it to an air-cooled hood are sold separately, but can be purchased from the first link if you want them. The only downside is that the SS II weighs like 30 pounds, so make sure you can hang it.
Like others have said, HPS/MH is undoubtedly the best of the two options, but CFL is more economical and can produce pretty decent quality, so it depends on your budget and how potent you're wanting your end result to be. I'll also add that heat is less of a problem with the CFL, so unless you have a decent space, or are prepared to buy or figure out a cooling/ventilation solution, the CFL bulbs might be the best choice. How many you need depends on the size of the grow.
PuffinDaWeed
Well-Known Member
bugeted for cfls tommorow wish me luck buyin like 4 or 5 of em
PuffinDaWeed
Well-Known Member
thats a great deal Ill look there first
maybe, but 6500 K are better grow lights, cost more though.
GSTrichome79
Well-Known Member
Good luck!
A word to the wise though, the bulbs you get at 12 for $20 are nowhere near as strong as the big ones. The ones I linked to are 13.5" long and 3.5" wide, put out 7-8000 lumens and are the CFL's you use to get the most bang for your bud/buck. They're equal to over 1000W of incandescent light. They sell similar bulbs locally sometimes, and are rated at 26W but put out equal to 125W incandescent, not the same.
You'd be better off making reflectors like frmrboi said and at least getting one or two for flowering rather than just using a bunch of the dinky ones by themselves, unless you want wispy bud, more heat, and a higher electric bill. Whatever route you go though, happy growing
A word to the wise though, the bulbs you get at 12 for $20 are nowhere near as strong as the big ones. The ones I linked to are 13.5" long and 3.5" wide, put out 7-8000 lumens and are the CFL's you use to get the most bang for your bud/buck. They're equal to over 1000W of incandescent light. They sell similar bulbs locally sometimes, and are rated at 26W but put out equal to 125W incandescent, not the same.
You'd be better off making reflectors like frmrboi said and at least getting one or two for flowering rather than just using a bunch of the dinky ones by themselves, unless you want wispy bud, more heat, and a higher electric bill. Whatever route you go though, happy growing
PuffinDaWeed
Well-Known Member
what is that like on your energy bill though?
GSTrichome79
Well-Known Member
Running one of the 125W CFL bulbs constantly for an entire month would cost $8.10 where I live. You would have to check your bill or look online for the price per kilowatt-hour for your electric company in your area. Depending on the size of your grow though, one of those does a lot.
Here's an example, I think this setup uses 2 of the larger 125W CFL's and I only looked for a minute but saw one of the smaller ones as well. Decent sized grow and looked like good results. It's got a soundtrack though, so be advised that you'll be jammin' if your speakers are up loud.
[video=youtube;llKZIJ5W5kY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llKZIJ5W5kY[/video]
This is how you figure out what it costs to run whatever lights you might have, once you know your cost per kWh.
wattage x hours used ÷ 1000 x price per kWh = cost of electricity
So for my exmaple: 125W x 720 (24h for 30days) ÷ 1000 x .09 (9 cents) = 8.1 ($8.10)
Just remember if you do get larger ones that they often use a mogul socket, which is fatter than a regular bulb. You'll need to buy a cord with that socket on it, or an adapter that screws into a regular(medium) bulb socket. They have them online at many supply stores and eBay, but I don't know if local places sell them or not.
Here's an example, I think this setup uses 2 of the larger 125W CFL's and I only looked for a minute but saw one of the smaller ones as well. Decent sized grow and looked like good results. It's got a soundtrack though, so be advised that you'll be jammin' if your speakers are up loud.
[video=youtube;llKZIJ5W5kY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llKZIJ5W5kY[/video]
This is how you figure out what it costs to run whatever lights you might have, once you know your cost per kWh.
wattage x hours used ÷ 1000 x price per kWh = cost of electricity
So for my exmaple: 125W x 720 (24h for 30days) ÷ 1000 x .09 (9 cents) = 8.1 ($8.10)
Just remember if you do get larger ones that they often use a mogul socket, which is fatter than a regular bulb. You'll need to buy a cord with that socket on it, or an adapter that screws into a regular(medium) bulb socket. They have them online at many supply stores and eBay, but I don't know if local places sell them or not.
PuffinDaWeed
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the great info!!!!!! Im super excited when I get to logg on here knowing I will get tons of great info!! Thank you again
PuffinDaWeed
Well-Known Member
Great video and a little jimmi isnt bad either 
bamfrivet
Well-Known Member
Depending on the size of your grow area you can get some T8 or T5 ballasts from homedepot for like $20 depending on the size you get. I have 3 above my plants on a wooden frame I made and 3 or 4 CFL bulbs of each spectrum hanging down to get the lower parts of the plant some extra light.