I can't get ahold of grow lights, whats the next best thing?

I want to grow indoors but I can't get ahold of proper grow lights, what is the best solution? I was thinking of using a couple spot lights or something, but i have no clue how good that would work. Any ideas?

Thanks

Only lights that should be used for cannabis cultivation are HID's(MH or HPS), or flourescents(tubes or CFL's). For flouros, try and get Cool White and Warm White(Daylight). The CW is better for veg, WW better for flower, kinda like MH is veg and HPS is flower.

Spot lights, car headlights, Merc Vapor, none of them work.

Why are you having trouble acquiring proper lights? No money?

thats partially it yes, but its also a fear of getting caught growing. I dont want to draw so much power that theres suspision.

A single 400W isn't going to raise any flags. A typical desktop computer uses about 250watts, and monitor is like another 100watts so its basically like you just got another computer. You would have to be running lots of 1000W lights for the power company to even notice.

Go with a 400W HPS/MH ballast and bulb setup. You'll be glad you did.

what about a 250w light? Thatll be cheaper and i wouldnt be growing in a large space.

all depends on how much u grow and how much space... please post specifics..... if u have a very small space make sure ur lights dont get to hot.. make a cooling tube... or u can just pick up flourescent lights at.... everywhere.... there like little 32 watt things that are basicly big spiral bulbs.... but yes a 250 watt fixture will do for a few plants

I have a 400W running in my closet, measuring 2 x 4 x 8 '. The temps don't get above 80. I have a small muffin fan on the side, and a glass cool tube with ductwork taking the air out of the closet. As long as you have a ventilated hood or cool tube, you should be fine.

400W is the best light for my 5 plants in the closet. Not too much, not too little.

has any 1 heard of that, wonerlite? it supposed to be great for veg and flowering
the light spectrum says its great, they have a 160w and a 300w,
i just got the 300w for 60 buxs, but i havent tried it yet, no ballast needed, itd built in
will this work for him?, and me?

good question, im interested.

stonecold said:

has any 1 heard of that, wonerlite? it supposed to be great for veg and flowering
the light spectrum says its great, they have a 160w and a 300w,
i just got the 300w for 60 buxs, but i havent tried it yet, no ballast needed, itd built in
will this work for him?, and me?

Click to expand...

A link to said light, or a website where it can be found would help determine.

hey all, here is the link with all the specs for the wonderlite, Wonderlite Spec Sheet it looks great, but i tested it with 2 125w grow lights and the room which is a 3x3x8 temps got to 120f, i put a fan in there and left door cracked and it went down to 90f, i dont have any way of venting so i might be in trouble untill i can make a better grow room instead of a closet.
tell me what you think, again it only cost 60 bucks, thanks

apparently the spectrum it can handle is nice for vegging and flowering, however for 160watts I would want WAY more lumens for my money. 3200 lumens is simply not enough.

If you are wanting low cost high efficiency and output lights... build a diy t5 ho fixture out of a walmart shoplite and purchase t5ho ballast and clips.

Or even convert a security light that is HPS into a grow light. There are many howtos on how to do this. Actually just buy a metal box... take the transformer, capacitor, and igniter out wire it up outside of the room in the metal box. Buy some sheet metal make a batwing reflector and paint it with elastomeric paint(90% reflectivity) use the rest of the paint in your room. Now build a diy cooltube from glass at walmart and some duct. This would be a very nice setup for a very low cost.

Btw, I am in a closet too but then again I vent through the wall into dryer duct. The cooltube would really help keep temperatures down if you have a good fan on it. I did see a thread somewhere about a 250cfm fan designed for AC and was only $12.99.

-pot

I guess it's christmas time.

ho ho ho - buy the bulb and mogul wire it up and you are set.


-pot

i agree with you about the lumens for the 160w light, but i have the 300w light which has double the lumens, about 6,000. and it was $60 bucks, now thats enough light, and its super cheap, and like you said, the light spectrum is right on, i will let you know how my grow turns out useing it,

6000 lumens is enough light??? for what one square foot? you're going to have to bring in the walls considerably... it might grow but it will take twice as long and the bud will be 1/4 as good and smoke 3x as fast.


-pot

ok i listened to your advice, i just ordered 2 105w cfls that put out 6,900 lumens each, will 13,800 lumens be enough lights for 2 plants in a 3'x3' closet thats mylar lined?

So would a 250w bulb or ever a 400w bulb make any difference in the electric bill?

I would love to use the program in the sticky up there but I live with my mom and don't wan't to be sketch and ask for the power bills

I have 2 plants growing outside but i'm afriad they won't be ready by time the weather gets cold. I'll move them inside if I can have the bulbs work without making the electric bill go up.

Here is a little tidbit:

For Vegging you want around 2000 lumens per square foot minimal.

For Flowering you want around 5000 lumens per square foot minimal.

They may grow without those requirements but it won't be NEARLY as good quality and yield.

3x3 = 9 square feet
9x2000=18,000 lumens for Vegging
9x5000=45,000 lumens for Flowering.

Keep in mind yield in relation to lighting is not how many total lumens or many times how many plants you have, but how many lumens per square foot. Utilizing your space with the most lumens per square foot would do just as well if not better than adding 4 more plants.

What are your grow objectives?

How much do you want to yield?

Are these short term or long term goals? How long is that period?
We can then figure out all the math both fixed and variable costs associated with various types of lighting and electricity costs.

Answer these questions and I can answer yours.

-pot

Apple,

you are probably looking at a difference between $5-$10 a month depending on your electricity bill rate.


-pot

Cost wise a 400 watt digital ballast wont even really show up on the bill.Its like using 300 watts so just replace 5 or 6 house bulbs with cfls and your balanced.Maryland Hydroponics sells digital switchable ballsts for $99 new.You can get 125 watt cfls online 2 for $38 if you look but Im not gonna give that link but if you look its there.Either 2700 or 6500 spectrums your choice.Heat form a 400 watt light is minmal .Maryland also sells 250 watt setup and 600 watt digi for $119.A 400 watt light left on 24 hours a day 30 days a month may raise your bill 15-20 bucks tops