CFL-Flourex light question

[CityOfThunder]

I just got started on the assembly of my first cab grow today. Right now I've got a small creeping thyme in a 1'x1' container garden that's doing great, so I think I've got enough to take care of my vegetative needs.

I'm just wondering, for lighting I currently have a 65W Flourex floodlight and four sylvania 27W daylight (6500K) spiral CFL bulbs. I know the sylvania lights don't have much of a red spectrum available, and I was wondering if the same was true of the flourex as well?

I know either way I should have enough light to do the job, but I'm wondering how much additional red spectrum lighting I'm going to need to add later on, and if I can simply replace the CFL's with a lower spectrum light or if I'm going to have to use incandescents (or worse, buy a new ballast/light :-/ ).

Most of the basic stuff is completed, painted the inside to keep moisture out of the wood, mylar'd the walls, hung the lights and built a basic exhaust duct and fan out of HVAC tape, carboard and a 10" Honeywell self-ducted fan. I haven't lightproofed it yet, but for the interim I have a large blanket over the box and the duct inlet is outside of the blanket.

I'm just wondering if there's anything I missed. This is my first indoor grow, so I'm not sure if I missed anything. In addition to my lighting question, any general cabinet/indoor help would also be appreciated. Thanks!

CityOfThunder Reviewed by CityOfThunder on 09-18-2006. CFL-Flourex light question I just got started on the assembly of my first cab grow today. Right now I've got a small creeping thyme in a 1'x1' container garden that's doing great, so I think I've got enough to take care of my vegetative needs. I'm just wondering, for lighting I currently have a 65W Flourex floodlight and four sylvania 27W daylight (6500K) spiral CFL bulbs. I know the sylvania lights don't have much of a red spectrum available, and I was wondering if the same was true of the flourex as well? I know Rating: 5

[doco]

You can get the warm white CFL bulbs (2700 K temp) all over the place. I got mine at Walmart for something like $6 for 3. Don't use incandescents, they are nearly worthless for light spectrum that the plant can use and they generate way too much heat. Use as many CFLs as you can, maybe going for the 42w or higher if you can. You'll only want to use the 2700 K warm ones for flowering tho...for now just use your 6500 K.

The cabinet sounds great. Does the fan ventilate it enough for you? Have you done any dry runs with the lights on for all day to check?

I'll be looking forward to watching your grow!

[CityOfThunder]

I've added four more 26W "daylight" 6500 kelvin bulbs and four more warm whites. The light bar was a beast to build; I cobbled the parts together from Wal-Mart and home depot, but they hang and are pretty evenly distributed. The plants have been loving the light and four seedlings I put in there have grown all week like... well, weeds.

The fan works surprisingly well, and is quiet too. I manage to sleep in the same room with no complaints.

[cactusman23]

lights of america makes a 27k spiral, they're usually 42 watts and you can find them at wally mart