Hi I am doing my first grow and I have a few questions. I have a 4 1/2 ft tall by 3ft by 3ft wooden grow box thats well ventilated with a computer fan and is painted white on the inside. I have two 24" 75 watt fluorescent grow tubes mounted on the sides and two 42 watt CFL's. I want to grow 1 maybe 2 plants and was wondering if this would be enough light and if so how much i should use in veg/flowering. The lights can be highered and lowered so thats not a problem.
Question about first grow! Help!
- Thread starter Glazed
- Start date
blazin waffles
Well-Known Member
You won't need a whole lot of light but more than that. Is that 42 actual watts? so like a 150 replacement? Also if you're only doing a few plants those side lights are going to lose a lot of lumens on the way to the plant.
I've found out its hard to get enough light with CFL's after a certain phase in life. You'll need a lot of them to grow to maturity. I have 12 26w 6100k for vegging.
outrunu
Well-Known Member
Glazed,
No offense but if thats all you can use, then thats all you can use I guess. I agree that it's not enough for best conditions. I also personally don't trust anything that says grow on it unless it's an HPS, but thats just me personally, others may have different opinions. I'd say go with what you can and the plant will tell you what she needs. I'd also be concerned that you will have ventilation/ smell issues down the road.
If you can't do it right because of secret conditions, then maybe now is not the right time to grow. Not trying to hate on ya or anything, just give ya something to think about.
No offense but if thats all you can use, then thats all you can use I guess. I agree that it's not enough for best conditions. I also personally don't trust anything that says grow on it unless it's an HPS, but thats just me personally, others may have different opinions. I'd say go with what you can and the plant will tell you what she needs. I'd also be concerned that you will have ventilation/ smell issues down the road.
If you can't do it right because of secret conditions, then maybe now is not the right time to grow. Not trying to hate on ya or anything, just give ya something to think about.
blazin waffles
Well-Known Member
can we get a pic of the setup? Even though those are CFL's 3 of those in a very small area with no ventilation will still get real warm.
Yea it will be a few days before i can get a digital camera but ill post pics. I went to walmart today and bought 3 42 watt cfl's and another 24 watt cfl and I bought a big lamp that had 3 lights on it and i cut the wire slid it through the lamp and redid it and I have a 3 part grow light for my cfl's that can be adjusted and i also have that 24 watt. Btw I do have ventilation for it so heat isnt much of an issue. I had the plants under all 6 of my lights and in 2 hours I saw results. Im gonna check them in the morning and ill let you guys know tomorrow night how they are doing. Thanks for all the help guys!
blazin waffles
Well-Known Member
Since your going to be using little light. get some mylar. White paint is ok but mylar is like 95% reflective or some shit. Make the most outta the lights you get!
Hey everyone. Just thought id update ya. Im running 4 42 watt cfls, 2 75 watt fluorescent grow tubes, 2 small fans ( one for exhaust one to strengthen the stems. However my box stays at about 90 degrees at all times. Is that to hot? and is the 24 hour light cycle the best for growing sprouts? Btw the plants are as green as can be and seem to look very healthy, the cfl's are doing a pretty good job so far im just worried about the heat.
blazin waffles
Well-Known Member
Marijuana is a hearty "weed" it'll grow in 90 but not to its potential. If its constantly at 90 thats prolly not great. If you could make the fan that is blowing on the plants pull air from the outside it would cool it greatly!!
So their doing ok?
dankiestdank
Well-Known Member
ideal temps are 70-80 degrees. use both fans for intake/outtake. good luck!
blazin waffles
Well-Known Member
It would work gloriously!! With a little help on the sides from your tubes and cfls............You love the results!!!!
I just ordered a 400hps light, fixture, ballast, reflector from HTG and it only cost me 150 after shipping. I will get a MH conversion bulb down the road but my cfl set up will suffice right now! It would be a great investment that you'd probably make later on down the road anyways!!!!!!!DO IT!!!!!
ventilation is a must though. Confined like that the light will produce a lot more heat than your dealing with right now!!