Me and my wife just started our first indoor grow, seeds germed in 2 days, we planted and made a small grow box with a 25W desk lamp lol(but hey it worked for now). We went to my sisters for a couple nights and come back(lol to a very skunky smell oddly enough) and we had quite a few sprouts. At any rate, my question to this is should we turn off the light at night for any reason? Just wondering if there's a benefit to it a all, otherwise it'll stay on all night(was previously a night light

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BASIC INFORMATION
Compact fluorescents are close relatives of the 4ft tube fluorescents, commonly used in shops and schools for their white, soft light that does not cast any defined shadows. These lights are long tubes, usually 4ft long, filled with a gas that releases a photon of light when excited by electricity. The electricity is passed through the tube from the metal sections at either end, thus exciting the gas within and releasing photons of light. These lights must have a 'starter' which gets the light going initially, unlike incandescent which can just be turned on and off without one. Regular fluorescents usually emit 18w of light per tube, and cannot be plugged straight into a wall socket.

Compact fluorescents, on the other hand, are made for use in regular light sockets, and can easily be installed by anyone with basic handyman skills. Compact fluorescents are usually around 8inches long (not including the ballast, which usually adds about 3 inches to the total length) and emit minimal amounts of heat from the globe itself. Most of the heat emitted from a compact fluorescent comes from the ballast. These lights are usually between 8w and 27w, although some variation may occur between brands and uses.

The main reason people choose CF's over regular fluoro's is their compact ability! They are very 'movable' and can be positioned almost everywhere. They put out MUCH more light than their bigger cousins, while using only a fraction of the space.

Some of the many varieties of compact fluorescents.









Image contributed by: Locutus


NON-CULTIVATION USE OF COMPACT FLUORESCENTS

If you're running a large grow setup, and you're concerned about the spike in electricity, replace your regular light bulbs with compact fluoro’s around the house! They give off the same light, using only a fraction of the electricity. If you're running a HID light, and the electricity increase could kill you financially, or you're just worried about LEO, it might be a good idea to replace incandescent with compact fluoro’s. As an example, a 100w incandescent uses most of its energy giving off heat. If you replace all these 100w incandescent bulbs with ~20w energy saving compact fluoro's, you can dramatically reduce your energy bill, and help the environment at the same time. In fact, I recommend changing all your lights to CF's regardless of your growing situation, as they will save you $$ in the long-term, and save the environment.

The advantage with these lights is that the conversion from incandescent isn't complicated! Simply un-screw the old bulb, and screw in a compact fluoro! Done! You're on your way to energy saving paradise!


THE USE OF FLUORO'S FOR GROWING CANNABIS

Every grower has, or still uses these lights. Although they don’t even come close to the results from a HID light, they do however provide a cheap alternative for a newbie 'dabbling' in the fine art of growing. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on an HID light, a newbie can purchase a compact fluorescent for a few bucks, and still have money for a coffee on the way home.

These lights are also excellent for starting seedlings and clones, as their cool light will not dry out the soil as fast as an HID. They have a low intensity, and are gentle on newly germinated seedlings, and are great for clones as they wont dry them out or give them too much of an early blast.

Compact fluoro's are also great for stealth grows, as they can be kept about 1 inch from the plants, and do not require extensive heat ventilation due to their warm operating temperature.


WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THESE LIGHTS?

Most lighting stores will sell them, but watch out, prices are very different depending on what type of shop you get them at! As lighting shops only sell lighting equipment, their prices can either be high or low, it really depends on the type of lighting shop it is. A designer lighting shop may end up being much more expensive, as they tend to be more directed towards the upper-class designer type customer, which extra $$ to spend. Hardware’s sell them, but their variety of lights is usually limited. Electricians, and assorted electrical shops will sell them, and this is most likely where you will get the best range and the best prices. My advice to you is, shop around! You wont regret it when you can save around 30% per light.


WHICH TYPE OF COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT TO CHOOSE

For anyone growing cannabis, it is pointless to buy a weak light. Given the option of 8w, 15w and 27w, you would be stupid not to buy the 27watt, as they are more or less the same price. Compare the lumen output of each of the bulbs, different 27w bulbs may have different lumen outputs (depending on the manufacturer) and as with everything, the more lumens the better. You will also be given 2 options, the screw method of fitting, or the bayonet method (push and turn). My preference is the bayonet fitting. Make sure that you choose the right one for your socket! Also, do not choose a regular compact fluoro. Pick the one with the energy saving feature (will be explained why later on in the document). Now, for vegetative growth you should choose the 'cool white' light. This is also acceptable for flowering, but a 'warm white' light will be better as it is stronger in the red end of the light spectrum which is more suitable for flowering.

How many you got going there, looks to be a lot from the pic, my worry is that with that many plants your seriously going to need up your lighting situation, almost definately say you will need at least a 400w hps, but more likely a 600w, if you get an altered spectrum bulb this will do you for the whole grow and easily for the amount of plants you have.

some people say plants grow faster if you have the lights on 24hrs. per day for veggin.

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i use 18hrs light 6 hrs dark in vegging for 2 reasons 1)saves electric a bit 2) i think the plants should have a resting period from the light ,just like they would if they were growing natural outside ,afterall thats what were trying to simulate . but thats just my opinion and lots of people use 24hr light .

I agree.. I also do 18/6 for veggin.. never try'd running the light/s 24 7 because it's not light outside 24 7 is it?

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Hospitals have patience... I DON'T!!!

Check out the low budget lights here. My buddy picked up a 250W Metal Halide (all in wonder) Hood/Light/Balast, for $70 at a local industrial electronics shop.

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well after one more 12 hours night lightwe have all but 2 sprouted, the little light is actually working quite well for this portion. We do have some 4 ft flourescents that we just need to hook up. My wife wants to know how often we should water, I would say every other day with just a tiny bit of water, any other advice on that portion?

I'll post more pics tonight of the plants. It seems that 25W keeps it at a 70 degrees normally in that corner so it's kinda pefect.

when i was watering my seedlings i was filling a 1L bottle with feed, this was split out between 8 plants and I was doing this once daily, others might do it differently

We decided on a little less then a half ounce every other day.

Here is what they looked like Yesterday afternoon(1st) and this morning(2nd)

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