Debating... 1 large CFL or 2 small CFLs

I am going to be going micro. The box I am going to build is going to be my smallest box ever. So I am unsure of which would be better. The rough dimensions of the box will be 14" wide x 18" deep x 28" high. The problem I am having deciding with is whether or not to get a single 55w bulb or two 27w bulbs for the grow. The lights will be suspended. My concerns are which produces more heat. I am thinking the single 55w bulb would produce more heat??

Specs on the bulbs:

• Wattage : 27 Watt
• Bulb Color : Warm White
• Base Type : Medium (E26)
• Color Temperature : 2700K
• CRI : 82

• Length : 5.5 in.
• Diameter : 2.4 in.
• Lumens (Initial) : 1850

or

• Wattage : 55 Watt
• Bulb Color : Warm White
• Base Type : Medium (E26)
• Color Temperature : 2700K
• CRI : 80

• Length : 9.667 in.
• Diameter : 3.1 in.
• Incandescent Equal : 250 Watt
• Lumens (Initial) : 3600

Anyone have a suggestion?? I can't make up my mind between CFL or LED, as spacing is limited, but HEAT is my main concern. We don't get cool temps and because this box will be in an area with limited natural air flow, fans will be required and the less fans the better!

If you use the two cfls you can spread the light over the plant a little better I think. Seems to me that if you are giving the plant the same amount of light but distributing it more evenly over the plant you will get more even growth rather than one long tip constantly stretching for the single source of light.

I am on my first cfl grow and because I have more space than you will have I am able to create a canopy of lights over my plants so that the intensity of light is fairly even throughout and there is a lot of penetration into the sides of the plants as well due to having lights all around as opposed to only directly overhead. It seems to be working really well with nice bushy, branching plants.

anonimouse said:

• Incandescent Equal : 250 Watt

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this wattage is completely irrelevant, it means nothing. and i would use the 55 watter. 27w clfs just dont aren't enough imo, unless you have like 10 lol

I agree about manipulating the light and angles. I was thinking if I did two I would angle them vs being directly over the plants and building small reflectors for them. Mainly concerned about heat. I am now thinking two smaller CFL's will produce less heat based on surface area alone. Maybe I am over thinking this, but heat will be my biggest issue...

look at my setup https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-fluorescent-lighting/582399-new-member-new-journal-new.html#post8252286

you might get the idea of different CFL's are better than just 1 high W cfl. (I'm using 1 85w, 1 65w & 4 20W, all are actual watts)

Two small imo. Better control over coverage.

In my opinion, you will need an air intake and exhaust either way you go. I think the two bulbs will generate more heat than one, but it is difficult to tell unless you tested each setup and checked the temps.

That being said, I say go with two bulbs. You can get better light distribution, and you actually will get a few more lumens out of the deal - 3700 as opposed to 3600.

what happened to this thread i thought i was gonna read some interesting shite but it is only one page

Yeah, sorry. I had gotten some good beans in the mail in Jan. but the past few weeks I've been dealing with a severely broken hand. Surgeries and downtime have put a major hiccup in my progress.

I did buy multiple types of lights along w a surface temp gun. I was going to give some readings. Hopefully soon I can get out of these splints and have more flexibility to use my hand.

my box is 2x2x4 with 3 23w(5000k) and 2 13w (2700k) mine stays around 77 degrees boxed up with no fans.(i know fans on the way tomorrow will be finish box)
my indoor temp is around 70. just a little food for thought. i am have a 2 plants just starting out came out if soil 5 days ago.
but will end up with around 25,000 to 30,000 lumens when i need it.

anonimouse said:

Yeah, sorry. I had gotten some good beans in the mail in Jan. but the past few weeks I've been dealing with a severely broken hand. Surgeries and downtime have put a major hiccup in my progress.

I did buy multiple types of lights along w a surface temp gun. I was going to give some readings. Hopefully soon I can get out of these splints and have more flexibility to use my hand.

Click to expand...

I hear ya man I just recently broke my hand as well about a week ago, its such a bitch to work with the plants and such, you never realize how much you actually use until you can't haha. As for the bulbs i'd go with the 2 small wattage since they can be spread around the plant instead of just one light source.