El Cheapo Guide to Lighting

[neceros]

Well this information is 3 years old. LED lightning is up to par now.

[seventhchild]

Well this information is 3 years old. LED lightning is up to par now.

Is it? still much tweaking going on and debating to do. will the price EVER drop?

[bdogdamu415]

This is my first attempt to grow. I have 2 three Y adapter setup with 8 daylight 27w cfls. The k's are 5000k each and i'm going to have them on a 18/6 cycle. Is there anything else I need for now?

[Dutch Pimp]

This is my first attempt to grow. I have 2 three Y adapter setup with 8 daylight 27w cfls. The k's are 5000k each and i'm going to have them on a 18/6 cycle. Is there anything else I need for now?

that should work well enough for the first 3-4 weeks of vegging

[GROWxMOREx420]

Here is a quality, super easy, and inexpensive way to get started growing.

Build your own Jump Start T12 Grow Light System for $75!!!!

Materials:

* 1 Hydrofarm Jump Start Stand (24' Inch) - $24.00

* 1 Hydrofarm 2-tube Fluorescent Light Fixture (24' Inch) - $25.00

* 2 Agrosun Full Spectrum T12 Fluorescent light-tubes (24' Inch) - $28.00

Here is a look at mine....

http://i753.photobucket.com/albums/x...ingStation.jpg

[harrybuzz]

i scored some 50wt 4050 lumens hps outdoor security lights at home depot for 10.00$ apiece ...the replacement bulbs are 27.00$ ! read all you can in these forums. and be on the lookout for bargains . i would rather have a bunch of 50 watters than one 400 watt. just my super nub opinion

[bigsby]

This thread needs to be updated with some good PP-L fluorescent light info. These lights move the the yard stick forward. I am going to ask the PP-L brainiacs to outline the following:

1. General Discussion
A brief comparison with standard CFLs and fluorescent bulbs/fixtures, the pros and cons of PP-L lighting, different bulb wattages, lengths, and outputs. Most of this can be lifted from the GC article referenced below

2. PP-L Fixture Construction (the meat and potatoes of this thing)
It appears that although there are some out of the box solutions, they over priced as usual. Given that the parts are readily available for anyone with a bit of DIY gumption should be able to build one for just a few $$.

Needed is an outline of how to build a fixture - ballast requirements, fixture requirements, etc.

3. Examples / proof of concept

Here is a link to a good write up that I found on GC (can't stand the site users but some good info there): For Beginner's Lighting Info / PP-L and here is a link to one of US pre-built distributors: 36 or 55 watt Bright Kits for some background info.

Anyone interested in working on this?

[tevfik]

This thread needs to be updated with some good PP-L fluorescent light info...
...Anyone interested in working on this?

Thank you bigspy, that was a good reading on GC.

I was planning to make a simple guide about them with (or after) my next grow with a better stable fixture and some training. Right now they're on a test run and they're good to go I think

[bigsby]

I'm looking to redo my mother / clone cab and I'm looking at doing PP-Ls. Perhaps I could document my build with your help? Just a thought. My other thought is to just buy them ready built but that seems too easy...

[bigsby]

I'm thinking to move this off of the main el-cheapo thread and then to post up results at the end so we don't clutter this info sticky. See this thread:

http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-li...ml#post2186678