Getting the Most out of your CFL Bulbs

With all the different fixtures, DIY Setups, alot of single Reflectors, etc. I'd like to see if I can shed some light on this topic. I see alot of y-splitters used, or bulbs that are directly vertically( sometimes titlted). Don't CFL's project the majority of the light out the sides? Shouldn't they be placed horizontally, unless you are using them with a reflector or hanging them between plants/ side lighting? I would assume that if you had all of your bulbs, with some sort of reflector, horizontally at the same height, you could more evenly direct that light, correct? I see alot of powerstrips with sockets used. Is this more efficient, like hanging a HID light horizontally as we have been doing for years? I understand the efficiency of vertical growing, but hanging a cfl out of a Y-Splitter is not vertical growing, especially when your plants are very short and not-bushy. Any experts wanna shed some light here?

won't describe myself as an expert, # of posts doesn't equal expertise, but have been doing cfl micro grows for about 3 years
i do the side lighting position as best i can, read the same stuff you did, that cfl's radiate best at the sides
works for me anyways, only cfl complaint is keeping them up close and tight to the plant, which always seems to result in a few small fan leaf burns

growone said:

won't describe myself as an expert, # of posts doesn't equal expertise, but have been doing cfl micro grows for about 3 years
i do the side lighting position as best i can, read the same stuff you did, that cfl's radiate best at the sides
works for me anyways, only cfl complaint is keeping them up close and tight to the plant, which always seems to result in a few small fan leaf burns

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Thanks for the info there, I think the cfl burns are worth the keeping them in the 1-2in. area, any further and the plants seem to really either strtch or just not grow much.

In reality, most of the grows you have described are ones done on the cheap. I personally use 3 high power (105w,125w,105w) CFLs in a stainless steel reflector hood and then have 2 42w hanging down with no reflector just to hit the areas where the main light is diminished. With a CFL, considering how the light is distributed, it isnt absolutely necessary, but it definitely recommended to hit your plants with their side light.

I've seen plenty of people using those Y connectors and power stips. I guess it works. I just dont recommend it. Check my threads if you wanna see what I'm talking about, at least results-wise.

On a side note, as far as 85w- 125w CFL bulbs go, what has everyone found to produce the best results? Swirls, U Tubes, or those Lotus Ones? The Feliz 125w CFL looks pretty interesting, along with the "Plant Blaster" on ebay. I think I saw a real nice 125w cfl with reflector on Amazon for like under 60 dollars or something. What brands are really the cutting edge, producing grow lights?

hey there hhel1 where did you buy the black refelector you got on the top ? cfl setup looks awesome ... msg me wanna talk with you more in depth about your setup cuz it looks awesome . you got similar size to my grow box so would really appreciate your input

Turn on your private messaging and I will.

1st pic is a mock set up of what i built today. i lined it with mylar then wired it in parallel.
second is of it with mixed spectrum bulbs lit in my grow room.
they are a mix of 18w and 23w. i will have them all 23 w when flowering it will be 19,000 lumens over a scrog.
i will have drop lights in the corners of my grow and supplement wherever needed.
also will be lighting from the bottom. i will be at roughly 35,000 lumens when i start to flower.
my grow is 2'x2' so about 8,750 lumens/sqft.
i am only running about 14,000 lumens in 9 bulbs now since she is just getting started.
also fairly cheap to build have about $20 in fixtures $20 in y's $20 in bulbs and $10 in wire.
yes you could buy a hps/mh for twice as much but would rather save for a nice led.

How far away should your reflector, or mylar/flat white/ poly be awy from the opposite side of the bulbs? Like and inch, or further? Does the reflecting light really put out much energy for the plants at that point?

a guy had a light meter forget the name or post but at 1 foot away the reflective material made it 3 or 4 times more light than with nothing.

Also my reflective material is to put on windows to reflect heat and light out of your house.
or to view birds with an attached feeder to your window. I have my lights about 1/2 inch from reflective material.
it is not very warm at all.

hiitsbob said:

a guy had a light meter forget the name or post but at 1 foot away the reflective material made it 3 or 4 times more light than with nothing.

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Confused here, your saying you saw a study where 1 foot away from reflective material was most efficient with CFLs, yet you personally have your lights around 1/2in. away? Or was that study for HID lighting? I'm obviously talking specifically CFLs here, how close do we want HORIZONTAL lighting from its reflector? I would assume the majority of the light used by the plants is the direct light 1-2 in. within the range of the bulb, but why waste any light that could be reflected?

On a side note, I've seen quite a few people hang their CFLs vertically for side lighting, this seems extremely efficient as 2 -4 different plants will recieve side lighting from that one bulb. The only wasted light is that light pointed downward, but that is where the least light is put off by a CFL is I understand correctly.

just what i said. no reflection get very little light. add reflector get 3 to 4 times light at one foot.
i am specifically talking cfl's my only knowledge if i grew another way i would post there.
this is my first grow but have read on this site in 3 weeks about 100 hours.
not counting other sites probable another 50 hours.(plus knowledge of 20 years gardening.)
hope this helps. any questions feel free to ask.
2nd is a mock up of what i built
1st is actual and can be added onto during scrog flowering.
my lights are 1/2 inch or less from mylar/reflective hood,
it is 19,000 lumens full power with option to get me to 30,000.
i keep my plant 1-2 inches from light. better ventilation/less heat=closer lights.