Quote Originally Posted by PurpleWreck
if i went to hps or mh how many would i need. if i continue with cfls if i use higher watts do i still need alot?
You would only need one HPS bulb... But this would require a ballast and a reflector (My first grow I went out and bought a 400W HPS bulb thinking I could just screw it into a normal socket HAH), so you're looking at 100+ dollars depending on what type of deals you can find. It is much better to pay in cash for this type of thing however, so your best bet is to go to your local hydro store if you have one. Things are a bit pricier, but the confidentiality is worth it.

For CFL's, The more wattage the less you'll need... to an extent. but in order to get good penetration, you'll still want to surround the plant. Don't quote me on this, but I think it's better to have five 50W cfl's around a plant, than one 250W cfl directly above it... (feel free to correct me, anyone) Also, a few more things about cfls:
-Focus on the real wattage, not the equivalent wattage. The real wattage is what's important.
-While on the 20/4 or 18/6 (vegatative) light cycle, use DAYLIGHT (5500-6500K) cfls, and for the 12/12 (flowering) light cycle, use SOFT WHITE (2700K) cfls. You can also combine the two for both stages.
-Get them close the the plants, between 1"-2" away.

I'm personally using four 26W cfls, one 46W cfl, and two 4' 32W tube flourescents... and even that isn't enough.

Good luck :thumbsup: