CFL bulbs

smokeh · #1 05-19-2008, 04:14 AM

still kind of new to lighting. ive been told i need 2x150W 6400k bulbs for growing and 2x150W 2700k for flowering. i got the calculation as well so i understand that side.

things i dont understand is which bulbs do i actually need. ppl have talked about using environlite bulbs, but are there any cheaper ones? i found this site in the UK where their CFL bulbs are about £10 compared to environlite bulbs which are £20 - £30.

link: Fluorescent Light Bulbs Fluorescent Lighting Tubes Circular Tube

can any1 recommend any of them?

if im going wrong somewhere please let me know as i shall be buyin all the equipment for my 1st grow soon and i dont want to get it wrong - or at least understand where i went wrong.

thanks

EDIT: just realised their not the right bulbs myself. kind of know what im looking for now. why do i need red or blue spectrum's though?

mreverything · #2 05-19-2008, 05:27 AM

Blue spectrum is for vegitative(Growth) and the red spectrum is for flowering(Budding). Also you should buy the cfl bulbs that have the blue part of the spectrum because of that it is for growth, i got mine at home depot. They were 7 bux each i think? and were blue spectrum 100w, i bought 2 of them and they worked great actually but its not enough light, you must have them close to the plant. I would say ideal is like..1 light on each plant for seedling, theni suggest you get something bigger if your not on a budget. You can go through veg with enough cfl's but i reccoment get something bigger for flowering like a hps lamp.

smokeh · #3 05-19-2008, 05:35 AM

i dont have enough space for anything other than CFL's. plus i need it stealth.

also, i should be ok with 2x125watt lights about 3 inches from the plant. just need to change the lights for budding.

hothousemary · #4 05-19-2008, 05:40 AM

I am using a ton of cfl in my present grow... Pretty easy to keep stealthy and the plants seem to love em... Next grow Im going to go with mh but the cfl has been great for me.. .check my journal and see for yourself. good luck mate,

smokeh · #5 05-19-2008, 06:09 AM

i dont know how to check journals. do i just search u in the journal forum?

where did u get ur lights from? im even more confused now, looking into halogen but its really boggling my mind.

hothousemary · #6 05-19-2008, 06:16 AM

you can follow the link in my signature at the bottom of my post... Finding the cfl was pretty easy, home depot and like carry em all.... in my journal GRNMAN gives a good explanation of the spectrum and so on... good luck!

Twistyman · #7 05-19-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeh

i dont have enough space for anything other than CFL's. plus i need it stealth.

also, i should be ok with 2x125watt lights about 3 inches from the plant. just need to change the lights for budding.

t5's..t8's are small (about 24" long) thin (1.5" wide), low heat output and don't look like lasers shooting out of every crack in your cupboard...I'm getting 2 - t5's blue spectrum @ $ 45. each and 2 t5's red spectrum @ $ 19. each.........
I saw them at a fellow RIU'ers place and they're perfect for me......No space.

Twistyman · #8 05-19-2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeh

i dont know how to check journals. do i just search u in the journal forum?

where did u get ur lights from? im even more confused now, looking into halogen but its really boggling my mind.

Go to FAQ at top of page......good advice there.

Dfunk · #9 05-19-2008, 07:10 AM

If you want to stick with CFLs they do work. Many people on this site have done their entire grow with CFLs. The key is to remember is more is almost always better. Start off with 3 in the blue spectrum(one bulb over the plant & one on each side). When you flower double the amount of lights if possible & make sure they are mostly in the red spectrum w/ a blue or two. Surround the plant as best you can with these lights so that every part gets equal light as CFL light penetration is not the best.

hothousemary · #10 05-19-2008, 07:13 AM

I am using CFLs onlly in veg..... Ill be going hps for flowering