What's the best CHEAPEST lighting for flowering??

[DarkHairedSativa]

I don't have alot of money left to put into my system and they're going into flowering stage very soon...I don't have 200 dollars to spend per HPS light is there a cheaper way? Or does anyone know where i can pick up a cheap HPS? Considering the places i've called here are contractor only...:wtf: I'd appreciate your input considering this is the first grow 'round for us:thumbsup:Thanks in advance!!

Love, Tiva

DarkHairedSativa Reviewed by DarkHairedSativa on 07-30-2007. What's the best CHEAPEST lighting for flowering?? I don't have alot of money left to put into my system and they're going into flowering stage very soon...I don't have 200 dollars to spend per HPS light is there a cheaper way? Or does anyone know where i can pick up a cheap HPS? Considering the places i've called here are contractor only...:wtf: I'd appreciate your input considering this is the first grow 'round for us:thumbsup:Thanks in advance!! Love, Tiva Rating: 5

[picilo]

First tell us what size flower room, or space its going to light. How many plants, ect.


Other wise using flos will prolly be your best bet for cheap flowering. Make sure its the red/orange/yellow side the spectrum, as this is the best for flowering.


here is a link to an example. Use the warm one listed for flowering.

Brite Ideas Hydroponics and Organics :: Lighting :: Fluorescent Lighting :: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

[Oh So Grow So]

So you would recomend the big single bulbe over a bunch of 42watt CFLS?

[MySecretGarden]

Well as for a cheap HPS i've seen a couple at home depot if you have one where you live... I don't know if a 50w HPS would do you any good but they are cheap $35. Here is a link
Lithonia Lighting 50 Watt Bronze High Pressure Sodium Floodlight - TFS 50S 120 LPI M6 at The Home Depot

[Big len]

I,ve done a rubbermaid grow with 6 23watt energy saving bulbs I think these are each 100 watt output on a single plant final yield was 3.5oz dried and cured 13.5 trimmed and wet, so this will kind of give you a idea what you can get away with.
Good Luck
Big Len

[Opie Yutts]

I don't like anything but HID lighting for flowering. Anything works fine for veg, but you need some good light for flowering or you won't get nearly the weed you could. Other than that, I would most certainly use flourescent lighting, probably the 24 watt ones that equall 100 watts of incandescant. There are a lot of advantages to flourescent, like low energy bill, and you can get the plants right next to the lights, and you won't need a whole lot of ventilation, like with HID.

[psteve]

You're in Oregon. If you're a patient you can join OGF and get a discount on grow supplies and access to garden geeks who will help you.
Otherwise, You can get started using a bunch of cfl's, while you save up for an HPS. I use the 26W daylight bulbs. They give the most lux for your low budget. shoot for 50W per square foot (that's real watts, not 'same as' watts).
You can get low wattage HPS (70-250W) at home dePot, but they're not as efficient as the higher wattage ones, especially the 600W which are specifically designed for horticultural use.
I recommend using the CFL's to start, then get a 600W HPS and use it all together. (if you have the electricity to run it) Eventually you might want a 400W Metal Halide to augment your spectrum too.

[oldsanclem]

Watts is watts and a 70/150/250/1000 watt If you buy it at a dyi Home dump or lowers (names changed to protect the home supply copy right thing)
Buy a hps parking lot system for around 60 bucks. Tape up the dark cycle controler. Take off the plastic deflector , mount on some chain and have at it.
Remember that light is only one of the problems , heat, smell, venting all are part of the picture
Nothing smell better than blooming pot. Nothing attracts mites like pot. Nothing attracts friends (?) like free pot.
If you have friends that know you grow, you have a big problem.
The differance between a DYI store hps and a grow shop hps is the price. Ballast only last 50 to 60 years so plan ahead.

[DarkHairedSativa]

First tell us what size flower room, or space its going to light. How many plants, ect.


Other wise using flos will prolly be your best bet for cheap flowering. Make sure its the red/orange/yellow side the spectrum, as this is the best for flowering.


here is a link to an example. Use the warm one listed for flowering.

Brite Ideas Hydroponics and Organics :: Lighting :: Fluorescent Lighting :: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

3' x 2 1/2 ' closet....We have 10 plants in a bubbler sys. Going for the sea of green approach.Marmarkus2006 has posted pics and listed the specs.I bought a 70 w HPS outdoor security light that he rigged in there and we just bought 4 more flors soft light that are warm,plus we have 4 cool light flors. All in one.There's a total of about 6000 lumens in there now and will be pulling the plants that turned out male.So far one for sure and then there are 2-3 more that just didn't grow very big for whatever reason.So that will leave 6-7 plants total.We have 2-3 confirmed females.We are a few weeks into flowering now.Not really hoping for a whole lot off the plants,don't want to be disappointed.lol
Considering this is the first time for either of us for growing cannabis and doing hydro...I think they look pretty good.Nice and lush,very skunky smell. And it was just bag seeds.We weren't even sure in the beginning if they would sprout,but we had 17 out of 20. We kept the best 10 for this system.We have 4 nigerians in an ebb n flow sys coming behind these ones.Only 4 out of the 10 seeds came up,but they look pretty good so far.Anyway,I found the 70 w HPS at Lowes for 52. bucks and I just don't have the money to sink as I would like.

[DarkHairedSativa]

You're in Oregon. If you're a patient you can join OGF and get a discount on grow supplies and access to garden geeks who will help you.
Otherwise, You can get started using a bunch of cfl's, while you save up for an HPS. I use the 26W daylight bulbs. They give the most lux for your low budget. shoot for 50W per square foot (that's real watts, not 'same as' watts).
You can get low wattage HPS (70-250W) at home dePot, but they're not as efficient as the higher wattage ones, especially the 600W which are specifically designed for horticultural use.
I recommend using the CFL's to start, then get a 600W HPS and use it all together. (if you have the electricity to run it) Eventually you might want a 400W Metal Halide to augment your spectrum too.

I don't know what OGF is?? Marmarkus2006 has a med card and is looking into caregiver too. I am the one that works because he is now disabled and unable to do what he used to.This also gives him a project to focus on considering he is stuck at home with the kids...and there are 6 of them ranging from 14 to 7 months.So he needs something to do to keep sane.Anyhow,thanks for the input and if you think of anything else please let me know!! :thumbsup: