CFL Light Intensity Question...

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Originally Posted by Zcomp

Don't count yourself out on HID. During Veg I would use the CFL's. But my research shows that 150W HPS will produce less heat than your 180W of CFL's.
Just think... If HPS produces more lumens per watt then the assumption can be made that it burns cooler. Since more electricity is transformed into light, then less electricity is left to produce heat.
I could be wrong on this. But none have corrected me on it.

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I think I have heard that somewhere and it makes total sense. This would also mean I would have to have an external ballast located outside of the cab. Its something I definately want to do in the future, but I think I am going to stick to CFLs unless I can get a HPS for around 60 bones. I know there are some security lights at HomeDepot, but I'm not so sure on trying to make a reflector and mounting for one of these.

Im about 250 deep in the cabinet now, the costs add up a lot faster than I was expecting. All I have left to buy is nutrients and seeds.

I feel you brother. The cost adds up very quickly.
But when you taste your first couple of dried/cured O's, You'll be singin a different tune LOL.
Then once you add up what you save in herb cost, You'll know in your heart.
Just think...2 O's of "the good" cost around $600-$800.
Till then, Good luck getting there.

For your first one, it's the thrill of the grow, to have fun, to learn things, and maybe you'll even get a little weed out of it.

I would definitely paint the insides with flat white, or put some mylar in there with a non-explosive spray glue. I don't know how much light is absorbed in the tub before reflecting back, but any absorption there should not be. Glossy concentrates light in certain spots instead of diffusing it as flat does.

2 cans of paint - $8
Increase in 1st yield as opposed to now - $16 worth of weed. Exactly.

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Originally Posted by Opie Yutts

For your first one, it's the thrill of the grow, to have fun, to learn things, and maybe you'll even get a little weed out of it.

I would definitely paint the insides with flat white, or put some mylar in there with a non-explosive spray glue. I don't know how much light is absorbed in the tub before reflecting back, but any absorption there should not be. Glossy concentrates light in certain spots instead of diffusing it as flat does.

2 cans of paint - $8
Increase in 1st yield as opposed to now - $16 worth of weed. Exactly.

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Its been a thrill so far, and I don't even have my seeds yet.

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Originally Posted by Zcomp

I feel you brother. The cost adds up very quickly.
But when you taste your first couple of dried/cured O's, You'll be singin a different tune LOL.
Then once you add up what you save in herb cost, You'll know in your heart.
Just think...2 O's of "the good" cost around $600-$800.
Till then, Good luck getting there.

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If I can get two ounces of dense buds out of this first time grow I'll definately be singin.... lol Hopefully the taste will inspire a HPS for the next go around !

Actually bro, its gonna be density that inspires HPS. :(
Unfortunately for us CFL users, The intensity isn't enough to produce the most dense buds. My indica came out pretty dense but the sativa was very airy. I think cause of the light requirements for sativa are higher. I noticed that the indica wouldn't survive in direct sunlight while the sativa seemed to soak it up and love it.
Keep that in mind when you decide on strain. :thumbsup:

My understanding is that in general sativas are more fluffy and airy, so that makes perfect sense. But what do you mean that indicas don't survive in sunlight? They grow in sunlight all the time, so I'm confused.

I have a question. If i were to put 12,100. Lumens of CFL Light's in a 22 Gal. Rubbermaid. Will that be enough Light to Flower two plant's?

ahh sorry about that, I meant didn't survive well. And I should mention that the sun here(SouthUSA) is intense and hot(95F-115F).
Both had to go outside one day while my power was out. And to that effect the indica looked horrible when I brought it back in while the sativa was standing straight and just generally looking healthy.
At first I thought it was all from heat stress. So acting as a true scientist, I set forth to prove myself wrong. I put both of them in a window that receives great light and found that the indica still looked pretty stressed after one day.
I imagine that after a week or so they would have adjusted to the light.

And I had no clue that sativa's were supposed to be more airy. But now that you say it...
I was under the impression that the only limiting factor in density was light(not penetrating enough).

Wow, 115? My condolences. I can imagine that any plant might not survive in those temps. I can see now what you mean, since I kinda thought most MJ plants won't survive anything over 105.

I've never heard that before about indicas, and I thought I knew everything. (kidding) Does that have something to do with what part of the world they came from? Always lernnin.

actually yes it does.
Sativa's have more "accessory pigments"(thats why there a bolder green). That pigment allows them to easily adjust to intense light, Indica's are short on that pigment, thus they need more time and more gradual shift to greater intensity.
And yeah I was surprised too(115F) but, in mexico it must be hotter, and they've got tons growing. from what I understand, they grow mostly sativa's for the brickweed "you" get.
I would imagine that both would have at least been stunted by 115F. But my thought is that I don't have a 100% Sativa strain. and they do.