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teamster

Member
ok started a new grow, 4 ft by 3 ft closet all white inside reflect light perfectly, I had them in the garage for a bit but they were growing to slow so I moved them up. I'm currently using one of those grow pro cfl's the huge 1 ft ones.125 watt pumps out 8700 lumens at 6400k plus 8 26w 6500k each putting out 1700 lumens hanging with y's is this enough light? I heard it's next to impossible to grow good bud with cfl's want to kow if this is true before I spend more money, I can get a mh setup for round 100 bucks. is it worth it or not? will or can ig row good bud with cfls' so far the plants look heathy and amazing.
 

hbbum

Well-Known Member
There are a lot of folks around here that pull multiple ounces from CFL, and your wattage seems fine for a plant or two. That said I am too lazy for CFLs, seems like you either need to build a nice reflector , or you need to spend time making sure you get the best coverage repositioning the bulbs. With my HID I just raise and lower the light as needed.

Personal preference, for me it is HID(HPS &MH) for now.
 

Crankyxr

Well-Known Member
CFL's are great but keep in mind that they don't penetrate the canopy very well, so you're going to have to constantly keep them about 3-4" away from the tops at all times. And that requires a lot of work raising the lights.
I'd say that the MH/HPS setup would be a great investment on your part
 

dlftmyers

Well-Known Member
CFL's are great but keep in mind that they don't penetrate the canopy very well, so you're going to have to constantly keep them about 3-4" away from the tops at all times. And that requires a lot of work raising the lights.
I'd say that the MH/HPS setup would be a great investment on your part
I like adjusting my light's just gives me more time looking at my girl
 

teamster

Member
ok well I called around to day got hooked up pretty good with a digi electronic ballast 400w runs MH/HPS so I got two bulbs cables for 100 bucks brand new. going to put it all together tomorrow get her goin. just topped them they're round 4 ft each so give some pics once it's all installed. so with cfls' will be almost 1000w
 

teamster

Member
ahyeas I got a new tent as well 4x4x8 secret jardin tent with 6 intake or exhause holes 2 cable holes 2 small windows and 2 large windows and a huge door. insides 95 percent reflective so im gunna hang this mh for 2 weeks right down center witht he rest of lights then add the hps for the rest.
 

I2icho

Active Member
Got any extraction fan? Any 400w + hid puts out a whole lot of heat you would deff be needing some good air extraction. My temps went from 35 deg no fan to a perfect 25-27 degrees with extraction fan.
 

hbbum

Well-Known Member
I do 10-12" away with a cool tube.. need to be further without one, or with a bigger light
 

teamster

Member
Right on thanks for the tips I don't have any fans yet but I got a tower fan that has three 12" fans on it ill remove each fan and wire them up two intakes one exhaust I guess
 

teamster

Member
ok I got a fan installed. well 3 they're in a tower. the center fan is sucking in a large amount of nice fresh cold air to cool the room then I got the top fan tilted and pointed up at the HPS and I noticed a huge a difference in how much heat comes down on the leafs.then the bottom one is pointed across the way out the other passive intake. anyway I noticed the leafs and branches move around a little bit, not much but a bit is this an issue. they maybe sway 1-2 inches back and forth. anyway thanks for the help.
 

Cobnobuler

Well-Known Member
How far should the Hid be away from the plants mine is currently three feet away
You should be able to get a little closer than that. 18 " should be safe enough to not burn your tops. If you have a glass cover on your hood you can get a little closer still. Keep a close eye out for burn while you experiment with it. Another way is to hold your hand just over your highest buds and if the top of your hand starts to get hot, its too close.
Burn can happen rather quickly as well
Have fun..! Happy growing !
 

teamster

Member
I got it about 2 feet away things growing quick in flower I did a flush the other day with 2 l each plant maybe more let the water drain into pans underneath I then emptied and put back under pots. my eaves are currently drooping is it because they soaked up to much water and are a little heavier? Top soils a lil dry but 1nch down is wet still I poked a couple holes every 3 inches in the soil away from stem to allow some air it. I do have really good drainage. bough some premium soil from the local potters place. should I worry or have I answered my own questions>?
 

teamster

Member
Ok well I have an issue I'm worried because of all the smaller leafs and the bushyness of the plant on the left its jot going to get enough light so should I start trimming or wait for buds to form before trimming back to bush so I don't accidentally cut back buds. It's been in flower for a week now. How should I trim what should I remove
 
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