novice about CFL... wattage?

ML75

ML75

Active Member
here is a novice question.
I get confused when people talk about wattage..... My CFL says Wattage is 23 Watts, and it’s Incandescent Equal is 100 Watt’s.

so what Im really looking at is 23watts, correct?

so do I have 2 23 watts CFL or so I have 2 100 watt CFL..... either way Im starting to think I dont have enough light for my plants.


also do you think T5 or CFL is better?
:weed:
 
massah

massah

Well-Known Member
you always want to refer to CFL's with their actual wattage, not the equivalent, so you are correct in calling them 23watt CFL's. You can grow some small autoflowers under 2 23watt CFL's, but if you plan on growing any strain that starts to get large you are going to want more light...T5's are great for larger grows where you have alot of them to cover a clone/veg area, but not as practical for growing a couple plants...with CFL's you can concentrate the light into the areas you need it using reflectors and keeping the bulbs 1-2" away :)
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
I would agree with massah.

Always state actual wattage, T5s are great for vegging a ton of tiny plants but I would say that CFLs are better for flowering and when vegging a small number of plants.
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
ML75 said:
here is a novice question.
I get confused when people talk about wattage..... My CFL says Wattage is 23 Watts, and it’s Incandescent Equal is 100 Watt’s.

so what Im really looking at is 23watts, correct?

so do I have 2 23 watts CFL or so I have 2 100 watt CFL..... either way Im starting to think I dont have enough light for my plants.


also do you think T5 or CFL is better?
:weed:
Click to expand...
I used the 23 watt 6500k CFL's to start. I added a true 125watt CFL 5000K to help through veg and added a 600 watt HPS HO spectrally enhanced bulb to finish. CFL's rock for veg and side lighting.
 
ML75

ML75

Active Member
massah said:
you always want to refer to CFL's with their actual wattage, not the equivalent, so you are correct in calling them 23watt CFL's. You can grow some small autoflowers under 2 23watt CFL's, but if you plan on growing any strain that starts to get large you are going to want more light...T5's are great for larger grows where you have alot of them to cover a clone/veg area, but not as practical for growing a couple plants...with CFL's you can concentrate the light into the areas you need it using reflectors and keeping the bulbs 1-2" away :)
Click to expand...

kisses to you and all your help today:bigjoint:
 
ML75

ML75

Active Member
slonez47 said:
I used the 23 watt 6500k CFL's to start. I added a true 125watt CFL 5000K to help through veg and added a 600 watt HPS HO spectrally enhanced bulb to finish. CFL's rock for veg and side lighting.
Click to expand...

the highest watt home depot seem to have was 23watt. guess I will have to purchase MORE of them
thanks
 
ML75

ML75

Active Member
Gastanker said:
I would agree with massah.

Always state actual wattage, T5s are great for vegging a ton of tiny plants but I would say that CFLs are better for flowering and when vegging a small number of plants.
Click to expand...


I started out with T5 and realize its kind of a joke and then bought the CFL, which I am now learning is a lot better, but still I do not have enough light. I am thankful for the pretty tough seedlings I have though, for all the mistakes Ive made, they are doing fairly well.
 
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