R.C.C Offical CFL FAQ

quick question on cfls...i am building the grow box, i have a 4'section for veg and a 3' secton for flowering, both lit by hps/mh...i want to make another chamber for germination eventually clones...i saw a 100 watt cfl at the HD yesturday, wouldthis be sufficent? howmany should i get? i have a couple y splitters.

i have a 3100k fluro bulb just sitting in the closet i was wondering if i can use that along with my cfls during flowering

This is some great information, it's really helping me save some money by not buying an HPS. +rep

Ok question....I have a Scrog Project that consist of plywood construction. Its 42"w x42"H x24"d now I have been lead to believe that CFL's are the best at keeping down hi temps yet this cabinet (vacume tight) I have two 150watt ecoplus w/ bright wings & with only one bulb I CANT KEEP THE TEMP BELOW 82 F. I have a scupper in the bottom grow cabinet that leads to a plenum wall (CPVC) up to the Overhead Cabinet that holds a 170CFM Growbright (its tight & almost suck the screw out of the wood) but the deal is heat! & just the one only produces approx. 9200 Lumens. witch is not enough for 2-3 plant canopy I need. What to do?????

Any care to comment? I need a little direction for a course of action. I have considered this....Dropping to a 105 watter & perhaps a set of splitters holding 23 watters on the outer sides of my perimeter. Note: I hear everyone bashing the bright wings for CFL. Not the best reflection put for a CFL Scrog/stealth cabinet I think it would be really efficent! (really covers the Canopy) The only thing is the Heat (again) Anyone care to fill me in on how much (hopefully none) heat the smaller 23 or 27 watt CFLs produce....I need the lumens not the heat!

Can one use co2 with CFL's????? I heard it does no good?

Hey Manik,

I might be doing exactly what you just described. I started my one (1) seed indoors to sprout, then I moved it to my outdoor balcony. It's been there for about 2 1/2 months and is about 1.5' tall. I just put in a pot with miracle grow potting soil. So far, it appears nice and healthy - and female. My original plan was to grow it to completion on the balcony, but I'm getting a bit worried and am contemplating moving it inside.

I have a space in my closet that is 3.5' long, 3.5' high and 14 inches deep. I guess I'll do my best to follow the tutorial regarding the CFL's and how to set them up.

Here's my question: When did you bring your plants inside? How long should I leave it in the veg stage before I bring it inside to flower? I'd like to do it pretty soon. I planted this late February, I think.

Thanks so much

deleted double post.

yotalan said:

heyy theree, i have my first question, i have 6 40watts CFL´s, how many plants can i grow under those?? i was thinking as many as they can fit under the tubes lenght..at least 8 plants i guess, what do you think??another think i just thought now, is it better to put them horizontally or vertically??? allright thanks in advance..peace!

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I'd say two plants. 2 cfls in-between the plants, 2 cfls on either side of the plants. ALWAYS try and "feed" light to more than one plant with a cfl if possible. Always keep them within a few inches of the plants.

One cfl per plant is not going to near enough. even the way I described it for two plants...picking up another pair of 23 watt cfls wouldn't hurt. (You want to cover the plants in light)

I have 6 cfls and a 2 tube 40 watt cool white 60" fluorescent fixture over three plants now. I have two more cfls that are warm white that I'll mix in for flowering.

So my grand total is:

3 Daylight 6000k area cfls.
2 60" 40 watt cool white tubes (4100k)
5 Warm white cfls (2700k area)

I'm guessing my total lumen output to be in the ballpark of 17,000 lumens for flowering, 14,000 lumens for vegging.

My three plants are growing well. Nice color, quick reaction to changes in light positions, no droop, no browning.

Of course I need to invest in some sunglasses as I cannot see right for about 3 minutes after going in there...

Hemlock said:

Can you use co2 with CFL's T-5's????? I heard it does no good?

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Any help here???

The best CFL faq i've ever seen Good Shit man!!!

really well explained...
i have been using cfl's every since i started.
year ago, or so.

this is awesome

Hi, just wondering could I grow indoors, then go on holiday and leave the plants outdoors for about a week in the great British summer, then take them back inside?

SLH said:

Hi, just wondering could I grow indoors, then go on holiday and leave the plants outdoors for about a week in the great British summer, then take them back inside?

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Having visited your part of the world during "the summer" as u call it...Maybe a bit cold rainy and u gotta watch that hail....
played much golf at the Belfrey. Bham

Hey quick question about light ratios . I have. 2x200w (actual watt bulbs) 6400k and 4x68w bulbs 2700k and I have 1 200w 2700k on the way. Growing lowryders in a 4x2 grow tent. When they flower will I have enough 2700 k (456w) to 6400k (400w) or should I think about changing another of my 200w to a 2700k. Or just get a bunch of 27w 2700k and get them in close?

how much does luminosity go down after 3 - 5 months, u are saying it is not worth it to buy the big ones if u have to replace after every grow?

Ive been doing a lot of reading on the forums and i think im getting closer 2 what my set up will look like im looking for a little feedback if possible

Im rolling a 1mx1mx2m grow room with
two 125watt 6400k cfls
four 85watt 6400k cfls
four 23watt 6400k cfls
four 23watt 2700k cfls

im just wondering if this is enough light for 4 - 8 plants?

how many 6500 k cfl's should i use for 1 plant! i have 2 on it now..

this thread is kick butt!