Rubbermaid box, cfl lumens/heat

**bariobrothers** · 09-13-2008, 12:22 AM

i'm currently setting up a rubbermaid stealth box as described here - 54 gallon rubbermaid cfl box

after reading dozens upon dozens of cfl grows i've pretty much come to the conclusion that with cfl, the more lights the better. however, with my current grow, heat will most definitely be an issue. that being said, what do people think the magic number of lumens/sq foot is for a rubbermaid style box? that is, what is the lumen count that will produce adequate yields and sustainable temperatures.
ideally, i would like more than 5000, but that would almost definitely overheat the box. any suggestions and comments are much appreciated

i apologize if this has been asked/answered before, i searched extensively but couldn't find an answer. thanks

**mistaphuck** · 09-13-2008, 02:10 AM

just get as many lights as physically possable and some small fans

**bariobrothers** · 09-13-2008, 11:35 AM

i could theoretically put 20+ lights into the box, for upwards of 7000 lumens/sq ft. that would inevitably overheat the box, and ruin all of my plants

so i'll ask again

what is the lumen/sq ft of a small style grow that can produce adequate yields and sustainable temperatures?

**MaxEfficiency** · 11-06-2008, 11:39 AM

Did you ever arrive at a conclusion. What is the prime number of cfl wattage in one of those Rubbermaids? What kind of fans did you use?

**tom__420** · 11-06-2008, 11:48 AM

Your lumen total is only as high as your brightest bulb. Let's say theoretically you have 5 bulbs all rated at 2,000 lumens. You only have 2,000 lumens total but a better coverage of those said lumens. You could have 10,000 bulbs all rated at 2,000 lumens but you will only have the 2,000 lumens total. Good luck

Tom

**smppro** · 11-07-2008, 05:28 PM

check this out, he said 5-43watter was to hot and 4 was just perfect for him but your totes are bigger so i bet 5-42watters would work well
International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - My Box Set Up

**GrowTech** · 11-07-2008, 05:31 PM

tom is right, listen to him ya fools.

**beginningbotanist420** · 11-07-2008, 07:58 PM

If you have the ability to order your materials, you should look into getting a 150w e-conolight and pairing it with a DIY remote ballast and cooltube.

Light
http://www.e-conolight.com/Product/E...ber=E-MT6H151G [open it twice]
--> http://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=...=article&id=30

Cool Tube
http://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=...article&id=565
--> pyrex bake a round, Pottery Glass, Home Garden items on eBay.com
--> http://www.directron.com/120mmfans.html

And all for about $50!

If you need to make 2, you can make them for about $75; and 3 for about $125. You could get better coverage and lumen/ft2 for the same price by doing this.

Just my $0.02

**smppro** · 11-09-2008, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by tom__420

Your lumen total is only as high as your brightest bulb. Let's say theoretically you have 5 bulbs all rated at 2,000 lumens. You only have 2,000 lumens total but a better coverage of those said lumens. You could have 10,000 bulbs all rated at 2,000 lumens but you will only have the 2,000 lumens total. Good luck

Tom

So then by this you are saying lumens doesnt matter right?

**bnoc450** · 11-09-2008, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by smppro

So then by this you are saying lumens doesnt matter right?

what he is saying is that 1 2000 lumen bulb is equivalent to 10 2000lumen bulbs so according to him more bulbs dosent increase lumes so just use 1 2000 lumen bulb instead of 10 and u will get the same results