Wally-World Lighting?

[fresheadies]

Hey guys and gals,

I was in Wal-Mart the other day and I noticed that they had 2' "Grow Lights" by a company named Lights of America. The box claims to use only 14 watts while outputting 75 watts of light. I checked the bulb etc. online after I came home and much to my suprise they put out 1000 lumens each. Has anyone tried these or even know what I'm referring to? I went back and actually picked up 6 of them (equaling 2000 per square foot in a pre-planned spot). Anyone think this will actually work or should I just return them all?

[SimonMakus]

Does the light look purple? If it does, go return them.

I'd return them anyway because they were undoubtedly more expensive than 6500K T12s or T8s.

[fresheadies]

The bulb or "tube" size is T8, but the light is a white with a hint of blue. There's not a sign of purple to be found. Same thoughts or does that change the game? About your suggestions, are those just floro tube shop lights? Are they lights with the correct spectrum? If so, where can I find the cheaper/better alternative? Also, they were only $9.75 a piece. I hope this is all the info required.

[oprah420]

Most all of the T8's I have seen had their kelvin rating on them like maybe a 3500K or a 4100K. That would be a big help if you knew what it was.

[texas grass]

the only thing i found good for those lights is for my clone area and i just bought another last night so i can have 2 clone areas

[fresheadies]

Well I did some further investigating and I found this link with everything that should be needed.

F17T8/TL741/ALTO - 368126 (http://www.bulbs.com/eSpec.aspx?ID=9312&Ref=Fluorescent+Bulbs&RefId=21&Ref2=Light+Bulbs)

The color temperature (also referred to as color range?) is 41000 K. Is that good/bad/horrendous? Again, I have 6 of these set up producing 2000 lumens/sq.ft. So what's teh verdict? A good/bad spectrum?

[SimonMakus]

Yeah, 4100K is on the blue-r spectrum so you'll be fine with those, but am I to understand you spent over $60 on 6 tubes?!

I still say take 'em back. Go to Lowe's or Menard's or Home Depot and get some regular shop lighting (T8s again, preferably) with a color spectrum above 3500k, but try to get the highest they have if you're only planning on vegging with these lights.

[fresheadies]

OK great, thank you for the help. What's the ideal color temp for vegging and flowering?

[SimonMakus]

Veg - 6500k
Flower - 2700k

These are just the most popular spectrums/kelvin temp. Usually anything under 3500k is warm white (yellow) and above it is daylight (blue).

However, if you have the space and ability to vent well, pick up a 400 watt HPS. You'll be glad you did, and it's only about $150 shipped on HTG. Well worth it and you barely notice a change in your electrical bill (about $10/month) while seeing a vast improvement of bud production.

[fresheadies]

OK, thanks for the knowledge. Yeah, I'm a step ahead. I'm getting a 250w HPS system (hopefully interchangable with MH if the wallet allows). I'd get a 400w but the space is only 8.25 sq.ft, and ventilation is going to be an issue. Thanks again everyone.

[SimonMakus]

No problem.

Actually, a 400w does 3x3 very well and I think getting the vent issues worked out won't be too difficult. You can run 8 or so flowering ladies in your space.

[fresheadies]

Simon, again you're right on the money :thumbsup:. I've been discussing this with someone else on another post and I think that the 400w HPS is the way to go. As for the ventilation, I have it figured out, it's just going to be a bitch, but oh well. A little work for a nice payoff is never a question. Regarding the little ladies though, how much stench do you think will be given off (especially during flowering)? I know it's a genetic trait, and depends on a variety of other factors but what are yoru thoughts? I suppose what I'm really asking is that with a moderate smelling variety and say 8 plants, could I get away with not using a carbon filter or any sort of odor control without the whole place wreaking of fresheadies (pun intended :jointsmile:)? I'd rather not have to use a large, bulky, expensive and loud solution to this (i.e. carbon filter), and as you can tell, I'm working with limited space. I'm actually thinking about an air-purifier. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks for spreading the knowledge, you've been a great help.

[SimonMakus]

The stink of them varies so greatly that I can't give you an accurate stink-o-meter number :D

You might be able to get away without a carbon filter and just use a VaporTek 4000 like I've got. I don't think there's much here on the subject but I read a bunch over on icmag. including the endorsements of Rez (of Reservoir Seeds) and I decided I had to get one. I'm glad I did cuz I had a real stinky strain that I had to give away! Once I got the VT though I called up my buddy and demanded a cutting or two back. :smokin:

The vaportek is just a dry-vapor technology that makes your whole house smell like a hospital made of bubblegum (the actual gum, not the strain). The units are used in crime scene cleanup applications (lol?) so they work very well for our thing. I would Google vaportek 4000 and maybe even Google site:icmag.com vaportek 4000

More questions, just ask. It might take me a day or so to get back to you

[fresheadies]

Just one more question. How loud is the VT during operation?

[daihashi]

No problem.

Actually, a 400w does 3x3 very well and I think getting the vent issues worked out won't be too difficult. You can run 8 or so flowering ladies in your space.

I run a 400 watt hps/mh in a 28"x28" space using a 6" cool tube and a 424 CFM inline fan to exhaust the light and the room.

I am drawing air from an 11"x11" passive intake

My air temps stay at 76 degrees with the House thermostat set to 75 degrees.

The light is about 4-6" away from the canopy top.

Despite the cool temperature, never let your buds rest on the cool tube if it can be helped. I learned that lesson the hard way. One of the tops of my main cola got toasted after it rested against it for a full day. :(