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View Full Version : Fluorescent lights vegging



Kmakok
02-27-2009, 11:05 PM
Had a thread and no answer :( i got ignored...
HERE WE GO AGAIN I WILL NOT GIVE UP! :D
Going to use fluorescnet lights to Veg state and was wondering if i needed 10k lumens per square meter. I have read that some people make it with less, but the strongest lights i can get are 240W Daylight(6400K) and a total of 2400 lumens. Wanted to place two of those, which would be 4800lumens. Do i REALLY need to place 5!!!! bulbs to reach the 10k lumens?
I read that with 2 bulbs of 35W each is enough...but that ISNT near from 10k lumens per square meter...
Ideas? Need some1's worthy experience =D

Dutch Pimp
02-28-2009, 04:42 AM
For the first 2-3 weeks: I use T-12 floro tube shop lights (6500k)..2 inches above the tops...no heat...no burn...with T12's

...after that...they need all the strong light you can give them. HID light is best; or surround them with CFL's.

Kmakok
02-28-2009, 04:28 PM
So its NEEDED to get to the 10k lumens?
That would mean something near... 4-5 bulbs of that intensity :S
What a bummer :P

Kmakok
02-28-2009, 04:30 PM
OOO!!! I forgot to say the bulbs are Spiral type (not long tubes) would that make a difference?

Dutch Pimp
02-28-2009, 04:56 PM
No ...not really...but you will need to reflect that light back to the plants. CLF's throw light in all directions and they don't throw it very far. A few inches at most; compared to HID lights which can penatrate 10-20 inches.

You will need reflectors.

Kmakok
02-28-2009, 08:11 PM
Great news!!! Found some 3200Lumens 6400K spectrum(daylight) Fluoresent bulbs. :D
Using white walls will be enough i think...its IMPOSSIBLE to get the damn reflectors where I am :(
What should be the distance for the 4 bulbs then? 4 bulbs will be aprox 12k lumens of Fluo light.