Gosh dude those are good results using CFL's , perfect for a small personal grow . So how many weeks was your last grow in total ? HID all the way .

Good post Roseman.

This is something I've been going on about for some time - that what works for one person may not work for someone else and vice versa. Low energy, low cost, low heat and low lumen output compact fluorescents and linear T5 fluorescents can, do and will produce good results when used intelligently in stealthy closet grows. They'll never produce the same kind of quality and yields of HID systems though, but for many people that isn't a problem.

I'd like to pick you up on a couple of points though. Firstly, you mention that adding low wattage CFL's hardly shows on the bill. It might 'hardly' show on your bill, but on someone elses it will and it's very much calculable as to how much CFL's will push up your energy bill. It's a little misleading to suggest that the you won't notice them on the bill.

Secondly, you rightly highlight the point about CFL's being a lower heat output light than HIDs - they are, but they still put out heat and still need adequate ventilation. Ventilation serves two primary functions as you know, to supply fresh co2 and to control temperatures. You still need co2 regardless of the heat output of the lights and it's helpful that you can probably get away with lower cfm fans with CFL's than with HIDs, but that temperature still needs to be controlled. Best not to mislead people into thinking they can get away with no or little ventilation bcause they'e using low heat output CFL's.

Used as part of a proper setup CFL's and T5's can be a very cost effective way of growing your own bud.

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once you go HID you will never go cfl again unless you are forced. in the future standard lightbulbs will be gone and cfl will be the primary option. it is yet to be seen but i am sure at some point they will regulate the mercury in these hid lamps much closer

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CFLs in the 23 to 42 watt range should be two inches away. The 65 to 85 watt bulbs should be 3 or 4 inches away. If you can touch the bulbs, surely the plants do not get too much heat. Put your lights clower. The yellowing might be the nutes. I looked at your pics, and you need to decide if you want to stay with CFLs or go ahead and get some HID lights. If you stay with CFLs, I'd sugest that you invest in some bigger refectors.

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That would help and be a good idea. One good point to using the CFLs is they are very mobile. If you get the 10 inch reflectors with the built in sockets and clamps, you can use ropes or chains and direct the lights easily in any direction.

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BabyGrow, you are right, I agree. I had a large closet in an empty spare bedroom. I kept an oscilating fan blowing on the plants 24/7 and during the cold months of Jan, Feb and March, I had the central heat on and in April and May, I had the Air Conditioning on. I had 4 themometers in the closet and it stayed 70 (on a cold winter night) to 85 on a hot summer day. The cental air and Central heat played a major role in keeping the room temp safe.
Also during the cold months, I only had the two bulbs. After the outdoor temps were getting warm, I added more lights and also turned the air conditioner on.
but everything you say is right. For some with a smaller closet or not having Central Air conditioning, and a FAN, the temp could pose a problem.

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Great post, Rose. Props to you. We had this discussion/argument last week. I also believe HIDs are superior but there are times when CFLs are the best option, for the reasons you rightly pointed out.

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great post, Roseman! and great grow.

+rep, IMO.

i am using T5 (108 watt 2 lamp 4'), T8 (64watt 2 lamp 4') and 12 CFLs. my closet floor space is 48"(T8 is longer than 48" [48 1/2"] ) x 24". i have 12 plants. i have been vegging for 2 months. this week after feeding all go on 12/12.
i rotate plants because of the space and lighting variables. the T5; plants respond ok. the T8; the plants just seem to stall. but when they're turn to come to the CFLs every one begins to grow like a fast annoying weed. some plants were as close as one inch from the 26 watt CFL(s) and during the day burnt themselves growing into it. all lights are in the same space.
my opinion and my opinion only .. CFLs are good for my environments. really my light bill has not changed. first month was $98 and last bill was $75..(go figure and your mileage may vary).
i am considering tomorrow going and get 2 more light bars and 12 more CFLs ..till i get the correct ballast for my parking lot light homemade HPS. and i will be ready to flower.
merry christmas.

You can get really high quality CFL's. I bought a 200Watt Sun Blaster CFL with reflective ballast. It has 6500 Kelvin and 22,000 Lumens, i went to my local home improvment conglomerate and bought about 8 23 watt cfl's with Y splitters and light clamps and a few other item's by the time i was done i had spent the same amount of many it would have cost me to get the 200watt sunblaster with ballast. Trust me. even if your going to grow in a small box or closet and want to use CFL's your better off getting one unit instead of a bunch of little one's it saves time effort and money and is much safer. you dont have to guess which parts to buy in order to keep your wattage under control. visit your local hydro shop and spend the extr $20 to get one unit, these lights even come in 150 Watt and 250 Watt
I bought the 6500 Kelvin for vegging obviously and when its time to flower i will buy the 200watt 2700Kelvin bulb.