So, I'm new to this place, and I'm very new to growing. I've read, talked, seen, and taken in a lot of knowledge about growing. But, I still have to work out the fine details.

My first question is, I have one plant, err... Soon-to-sproutling (I'll post pictures later, it's not currently near me... >.>). And, I have a few choices of lights.

First on the menu, is my fluorescents. I have two fixtures, that hold two 48" bulbs. So, 4 lights, altogether. I have 4 normal, white bulbs, and I have 4 Plant and Aquarium bulbs. They're all 40W a piece. These guys would be placed on either side of the plant, facing it's respective side.

Second, I have CFL's. I have a few different choices of CFL's but I don't have as many fixtures. So, I'd be using, say 2? And it wouldn't be very balanced. I don't know what a mixture would be like, (say one normal, and one plant light in each fixture?) Or maybe using 2 fixtures, and a flood CFL light?

Third, does a fan need to be on all the time when the plant starts to poke it's veggie head out? Or only when it really starts to mature? I know it helps to strengthen the plant, but all the time? Even at (the plant's) night?

And my fourth, and final question, can someone give me the exact light timings? I'm not too sure about it, I hear 14-24, and then 9-12?

The room I'm using is a closet, and it's a good 4 square feet of space, about 5 1/2 feet high. I have the walls, and floor covered in photo paper (Really big spool of it. It's glossy, and very heavy). And I have a small, oscillating fan for helping ventilation. I don't have much for real ventilation, seeing as this is supposed to be somewhat secret. Also, I have a electronics timer for the lights. Again, I'll post pictures tonight, when I actually get a chance.

That's about as far as my grow can go. I realize I have a lot to say, and I appreciate you guys taking the time to read it all, really helps me out

-- Godspeed

Here's the pictures I promised;

I'm thinking about using the fluorescents. After I put them up, I really liked them. They light up the entire closet. Very bright. Not hot, and very spacious...

It's a pretty ghetto set up, but I'm going for minimalistic, but with good results.

This is the lights I'm using. It doesn't say a lot--I know. But maybe it can help with some of my questions...

your light cycle should be 18/6 this cycle helps promote good root groth when ready to flower go to 12/12 the fan should be on most of the time to get thick stalks. or the cfl bulbs get y conectors you can use 2 bulbs per fictor. to get more go buy a build a light kit from manards.how many lumes in the long bulbs? and buy a spair timer if you can aford it. i had mine die on me lucky for me it was during veg. gl on your grow

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ya those y connectors work wonders, i have one socket splitting into 7 CFL bulbs for my veg area so put as many of those as u have space for and can keep cool id say

I am not so sure about that. Specify what kind of socket you are using first. Most sockets like what he or anyone would probably be using state 60watts max. Now at the least you would be putting in 160 watts, that is about 140 watts over the rating specified. Thats abit much, be careful you could be telling someone how to burn their house down.

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Natural selection applies to humans as well.

rkm that 60 watt rating is for an incandescent bulb and will not apply to the cfl's. VV

I'm pushing 160W with all these fluorescents, is that too much? How much can I push before I have the law knocking on the door, asking about my electricity usage?

I understand that, but 60 watts is 60 watts no matter how you slice it. He is plugging in 7 bulbs into one 60 watt max socket. Each of those bulbs are probably at the minimum 23 watts each. 7 times 23 equals 161 watts plugged into a single 60 watt socket.

I am only going by what was stated, and assuming that he is using a 60 watt socket due to how common they are. I am just trying to get the original poster to keep safety in mind.

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Natural selection applies to humans as well.

I am more concerned about how you plug in your cfls. If you overload a socket, you may have a firefighter knocking on your door first.

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Natural selection applies to humans as well.

I've decided against the CFL's. Too much heat. I'm going with the flourals.

Is it wise to use the plant lights the entire span of the plant? Or should I use regular flourals for the veg, and the plant lights in the flower/budding phase?

Message bump.