So I got bored at work this morning and decided I would figure out some stats on different watt CFLs. Here is what I have compiled thus far! Any input is welcome.



I am looking to find the specifics of a 10,000 lumen/ft2 grow box. For personal purposes, I am using a 9ft2 area for my own numbers. (The approx. size of what I have available)

I am also using 2 65 watt CFLs as a constant, because again, I have these already available. All stats are from 1000bulbs.com using the cheapest 2700K bulbs in each wattage. Also, assuming the light cycle is 12-12, and electricity is $0.09 per KWH.

SETUP ONE – 42 watt CFLs

2x 65 watt cfl – 4200 lumens each – 933lu/ft2 – Using 1.56 KWH per day
30x 42 watt cfl – 2800 lumens each – 9333lu/ft2 – Using 15.12 KWH per day
TOTAL LUMENS – 10236lu/ft2 – Total of 16.68 KWH per day, or $1.50.

SETUP TWO – 32 Watt CFLs
2x 65 watt cfl – 4200 lumens each – 933lu/ft2 – Using 1.56 KWH per day
40x 32 watt cfls – 2100 lumens each – 9100lu/ft2 – using 15.12 KWH per day
TOTAL LUMENS – 10236lu/ft2 – Total of 16.68 KWH per day, or $1.50.

NOTE : Obviously since the wattage is interchangeable, the main difference is the price per bulb in setup one and two. 42 Watt bulbs were in at $7.35 each, while 32 Watt bulbs were $4.58 each. For the numbers that were being purchased, the 32 watt bulbs were $37.30 less expensive than the 42 watt bulbs.

SETUP THREE – 27 Watt CFLs
2x 65 watt cfl – 4200 lumens each – 933lu/ft2 – Using 1.56 KWH per day
47x 27 Watt cfl – 1750 Lumens each – 9139lu/ft2 – Using 15.228 KWH per day
TOTAL LUMENS – 10072Lu/ft2 – Total of 16.788 KWH per day, or $1.51.

SETUP FOUR – 23 Watt cfls
2x 65 watt cfl – 4200 lumens each – 933lu/ft2 – Using 1.56 KWH per day
51x 23 watt cfl – 1600 lumens each – 9066.7lu/ft2 – Using 14.076 KWH per day
TOTAL LUMENS – 9999.7Lu/ft2 – Total of 16.636 KWH per day, or $1.41.


What did I learn from this seemingly pointless research?
Well, a few things. First, it showed me that I more than likely cannot reach the desired threshold of 10,000 lumens per square foot in an area the size of what I have available. Packing even 30 bulbs in to a space that is 2.3 x 2.18 x 1.8 just isn’t reasonable. I think my next step will be going through completed cfl grows, and comparing yield with lumens per square foot. I’m sure with enough data then a new threshold can be established. I understand that 10,000 is ideal, but it simply isn’t reasonable in a small space. If this is simply aimless rambling, feel free to flame on me, I love a good roast. Cheers!

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Everything I say is a LIE. I speak simply for amusement and out of boredom.
CFL Efficiency - http://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/...challenge.html

You started out saying 10k for 2 sq ft not one. That I think is doable. I don't think I'd put 10k/sqft on vegging plants if it was offered to me for free. I think you really can have too much light and 10k is what the sun puts on the earth's surface. No plant in nature gets that 24/7 week after week.

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http://www.rollitup.org/showthread.p...bubbles+ponics

Thanks for the reply! A couple things I was prolly pretty unclear about.

The sun puts out 10K lumens per square foot. That is the *ideal* amount, if by ideal you mean emulating nature while removing all possable flaws and hinderances. I abbreviated lu/ft2 because I was to lazy to use a superscript for the 2... I think that is where you got 2 feet. The measurement that I am seeking is 10,000 Lumens per square foot of space in the grow room.

IE. A 2'x2'x2' grow room has 8 square feet of space available. You're goal is to have 80000 lumens in that space, allowing 10,000 lumens per foot of grow space.

Now. Another key part of this, is this it is for the *Flowering* "Chamber". Plants only need about 3000 Lumens per square foot in order to achieve proper veg growth, so you are right in saying it would be silly to apply that much light to a veg room.

As for having 10K flowering, your plant is now mature, and seeking the most efficient way to grow without restriction. In such a small grow box, you want to limit as few variables as possable. Since I grow in 16 ounce cups from Veg to harvest, I know that my root structure is going to be challenged from the get go. I have also seen a 2 oz plant in only a 16 oz dixie cup, so roots arn't the end all say all.

I am new to growing, and have learned almost everything right here on RIU. My first plants were horrid, and I actually just tore them down in the last 48 hours. I hate failing at anything, expecially something I have become so passionate about... So I am doing everything possable to produce the best possable girls with what I have available to me.



Peace and love

__________________
Everything I say is a LIE. I speak simply for amusement and out of boredom.
CFL Efficiency - http://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/...challenge.html

like i previously ima pull a seat up to this i want to see you actually go for it and throw some pics up. with all this math and electrical light crap i hope to see a bad ass grow soon! lmao ima subscribe fo sho! lol happy growin lata bro Smoke One! =)

__________________
"its like killing a Unicorn........ with like a BOMB!!"
CFL/T12 grow 1ST grow... =) +rep thx
SUPER STEALTH!!/1.5 GROW/ocean foxfarm/CFL 32,250lumens 477watts

I think it is very questionable how ideal 10k lumens is. Nature doesn't provide sunny days day after day. All I know is people consistently get a dry half pound out of a 2 sq ft space and 3 or 4 plants using no more than 300-400 watts of cfls total.

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http://www.rollitup.org/showthread.p...bubbles+ponics

hold it...math error...a 2'x2'x2' room has 4 square feet of space...and 8 CUBIC feet of space...but nice job on doing all the rest of the work...

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"Pot will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times with no pot" - anonymous (i think)

So I have been quite busy the last week or so, trying to make micro changes on the fly.


Thanks for dropping in! I am gonna be constantly changing things as money allows. 60 days seems alot shorter amount of time since I started growing. When you think about watering, light cycles, growth, nutrients, and everything else, you can let time slip away! It seems to me like I changed my setup yesterday, but it's already been a week! I am gonna add the pictures from the changing setups over the last few months.


I completly agree! I used 10K as a goal, simply because I know that is what works in nature. I am 100% planning on changing the goal, as I accumulate more evidence and proof via cfl grow logs. If you have links to any, please please please hook me up! A dry half pound with cfls out of 2 sq ft space? Sounds amazing! Hook me up bro!



Thanks for dropping in! The dimensions are not, in fact, 2x2x2 in my room. They are 2.3x2.18x1.8, giving me 8.942 square feet. I rounded this to 9, and that is what I did my numbers based on!

I did give the example of a 2x2x2 room, but I also said it would have 8 square feet if that were the case. Look at my second post!

__________________
Everything I say is a LIE. I speak simply for amusement and out of boredom.
CFL Efficiency - http://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/...challenge.html

I mentioned I would put the changes I have made in! So here they are.

The first plants ended with 2 females, both being harvested after 6 weeks because they were not growing. About 5 or 6 grams dry.

Attached Images

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__________________
Everything I say is a LIE. I speak simply for amusement and out of boredom.
CFL Efficiency - http://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/...challenge.html

Don't forget about the ct. under 3000k for flower and over 5000k for veg. sorry if you had that in there and I missed it.

dude SHIT!!!! thats alot of changes made but thats kinda how i am (like in journal) on a paycheck to paycheck basis seeing what i can upgrade to lol!! or at least for me.. looks like youv had some grow experiance? seems like it. anyways the girls all look very good in all pics! were those at various times in growth with your plants?? like a few flowering or is this all veg setups? oh and i did a big change in grow i will post tomorrow in the evening round same time as this post. oh and the uhhh forget it im high nice shit bro! will stay tuned! Smoke One!!!

__________________
"its like killing a Unicorn........ with like a BOMB!!"
CFL/T12 grow 1ST grow... =) +rep thx
SUPER STEALTH!!/1.5 GROW/ocean foxfarm/CFL 32,250lumens 477watts