Hey Bozo, looking good so far!

Should is right, the CFLs are fine where they're at. Not much penetration with flouros so the closer the better. The way to tell if the light is too close is by looking at the burnt leaves after you move the light up Seriously though, 1 inch away is perfectly fine and will show no adverse effects until it's literally touching the plant.

If the box is reflective on the inside you should be fine without any reflectors. In fact, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, CFLs focus most of their light out the end, not the side.

edit: I see that it's not mylar'd or painted, get that done asap. Should is right again, you're losing light to the brownness

On another note, I don't know about using a cardboard box as cab/tent/grow space. It just seems like a potential fire hazard that should be avoided, especially since it's YOUR house

Also, what type of soil/mix have ya got there?
SimonMakus Reviewed by SimonMakus on . Newbie CFL Grow..Could use advice and criticism First id like to thank a lot of people on this website to inspired me to try this horticulture thing again. (especially bordom children of and stinkyattic) Thanks for the great ideas So i decided to build a rubbermaid unit like bordom childeren of rubbermaid box design with just a few changes. (for veg and flowering) right now it has 6 cfl at 26w a piece and they are all 6500k (box stay at about 76-80 degrees f with Humity around 40-55%) but it is already 95f outside and humidity is at Rating: 5