200 Watt CFLs for 2 Plants. Good Idea?

misterdogman

misterdogman

Well-Known Member
They say with CFLs dont look at lumens but wattage...some say just calculate lumens....whatever.

Provide a minimum of 3000 lumens per sq ft and 50 watts per sq ft at the same time AT least and your good....

here is some very useful formulas to calculate light in different ways...they help somewhat if you got a calulator...

of course i copied and pasted from the interwebnet thingy....

[SIZE=-1]DESIGN FORMULAS[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Footcandles & Lumens[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Footcandles (fc) = Total Lumens (lm) ÷ Area in Square Feet[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1 Lux (lx) = 1 Footcandle (fc) x 10.76[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Lux = Total Lumens ÷ Area in Square Meters[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Calculating Light Level at a Point[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]For planes perpendicular to the direction of candlepower (Inverse Square Law):[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Footcandles (fc) = I ÷ D2[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]I = Candlepower in candelas (cd)[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]D = Direct distance between the lamp and the point where light level is calculated[/SIZE]
​
[SIZE=-1]Many workplanes are not perpendicular to the direction of light intensity, which is why calculating light level at a point is useful for such applications. In these cases, we often must determine light levels on workplanes that are not horizontal and perpendicular but tilted or even vertical. For tilted-horizontal or vertical planes:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Horizontal Footcandles (fch) = (I ÷ D2) x H[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Vertical Footcandles (fcv) = (I ÷ D2) x L[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]I = Candlepower in candelas (cd)[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]D = Direct distance between the lamp and the point where light level is calculated[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]H = Distance between the lamp and the point direct below on the workplane[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]L = Distance between that point and the point where light level is being calculated[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]D = Square Root of (H2 + L2) or D2 = H2 + L2[/SIZE]
​
[SIZE=-1]Calculating Average Light Level Throughout a Space (three formulas)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Average Maintained Illumination (Footcandles) = (Lamps/Fixture x Lumens/Lamp x No. of Fixtures x Coefficient of Utilization x Light Loss Factor) ÷ Area in Square Feet[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Average Maintained Illumination (Footcandles) = (Total Lamps x Lumens/Lamp x Coefficient of Utilization x Light Loss Factor) ÷ Area in Square Feet[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Average Maintained Illumination (Footcandles) = (Lamps in One Fixture x Lumens/Lamp x Coefficient of Utilization x Light Loss Factor) ÷ Area in Square Feet/Fixture[/SIZE]
​
[SIZE=-1]Lumen Method[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Required Light Output/Fixture (Lumens) = (Maintained Illumination in Footcandles x Area in Square Feet) ÷ (Number of Fixtures x Coefficient of Utilization x Ballast Factor x Light Loss Factor)[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Light Loss Factors (more on [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Light Loss[/SIZE][SIZE=-1])[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Light Loss Factor (LLF) = Ballast Factor x Fixture Ambient Temperature Factor x Supply Voltage Variation Factor x Lamp Position Factor x Optical Factor x Fixture Surface Depreciation Factor x Lamp Burnouts Factor x Lamp Lumen Depreciation Factor x Fixture Dirt Depreciation Factor x Room Surface Dirt Depreciation Factor[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Lamp Burnout Factor = 1 - Percentage of Lamps Allowed to Fail Without Being Replaced[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Zonal Cavity Method (determining cavity ratios)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Room Cavity Ratio (for regular rooms shaped like a square or rectangle) = [5 x Room Cavity Depth x (Room Length + Room Width)] ÷ (Room Length x Room Width)[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Room Cavity Ratio (for irregular-shaped rooms) = (2.5 x Room Cavity Depth x Perimeter) ÷ Area in Square Feet[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Ceiling Cavity Ratio = [5 x Ceiling Cavity Depth x (Room Length x Room Width)] ÷ (Room Length x Room Width)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Floor Cavity Ratio = [5 x Floor Cavity Depth x (Room Length x Room Width)] ÷ Room Length x Room Width[/SIZE]
​
 
surf88

surf88

Well-Known Member
I wish I could use HIDs but i just don't have the ability in my 1.5'X2' grow box in the closet of my apartment. I've done everything I can to maximize all the light I will have available and will probably get 1 200Watt CFL 5000K for Veg, and 1 200Watt 2700K for Budding.
or Maybe 2 CFL 125Watt 6400K for Veg, and 2 125Wat 2700K for budding. (little more lighting and can get closer to the plants with that second one right?)

I know a 250 HPS would be better. but I can't do that here.

Also tips on getting Humidity out of my Grow Box? Bigger Fan for exhaust?
 
sikwidit bay kid 650

sikwidit bay kid 650

Active Member
surf88 said:
I wish I could use HIDs but i just don't have the ability in my 1.5'X2' grow box in the closet of my apartment. I've done everything I can to maximize all the light I will have available and will probably get 1 200Watt CFL 5000K for Veg, and 1 200Watt 2700K for Budding.
or Maybe 2 CFL 125Watt 6400K for Veg, and 2 125Wat 2700K for budding. (little more lighting and can get closer to the plants with that second one right?)

I know a 250 HPS would be better. but I can't do that here.

Also tips on getting Humidity out of my Grow Box? Bigger Fan for exhaust?
Click to expand...
click on my link one time,then exit out. then click on it again.its an hps 150 for $20
 
smppro

smppro

Well-Known Member
sikwidit bay kid 650 said:
heres my straight answer. ditch the cfl idea if ur doing more than one plant. they are only good for seedlings.period.buy this and thank me later. http://www.e-conolight.com/Product/EProductDetail.asp?ProductFamilyID=7&FGNumber=E-MT6H151G i wonce had the idea of growing 2 plants with cfls. but i soon learned the sad truth that they make shitty weed. and thats my straight answer. any more questions?
Click to expand...
You should really educate yourself on growing. You can get a great yeild and the same quality bud("with tight nugs) with cfls. Yes HID are superior but you shouldnt HAVE to use them. If you do your not a good grower.

11plants, 8cfls, 213 grams.
International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - My Box Set Up


International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - CFL Club!

16plants per sqft perpetual
International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - **Inside DrBud's Lab every 48 hours W/Pics**

People should learn how to grown themselves instead of just following the crowd. Im no HID hater either i have a 400w hps, but it is hot and takes up more room. My 8-42watters produce the same quality bud as my hid. I dont have giant colas and i dont have airy buds either. CFLs work great, and i can buy them 2minutes away from me without anybody turning a brow and they replace them for free for 9yrs. Any questions?
 
surf88

surf88

Well-Known Member
I can't find any 200 Watt CFL bulbs in the 3000K and Below spectrum.

Any idea of a good site available?
 
misterdogman

misterdogman

Well-Known Member
isnt that the same sik with it kid inquiring about legal highs and happy caps...Id like to see your setup bro, how much you producin'?

CFLs usually produce crap when the person using them has crappy skills.
If you use them correctly and have crucuial placement with plenty of light you can not ever tell weed was grown with CFLs ....period.

Go ask how many from the CFL crew believe or agree with that statement.

Is HID better, yes overall, can and will CFLS produce good pot. Absofuckinglutely.
 
surf88

surf88

Well-Known Member
Looks like it will be a pretty nice set up. I didn't realize how expensive those higher wattage cfl bulbs are. $66 for the 200 Watt Full Spec from 1000bulbs.com and $95 for the 200 Watt Soft White Spec from bulbs.com.

There must be cheaper Soft White Spectrum bulbs.

Although the $95 one has a higher lumen output so maybe thats it?

I just know I wana get this underway soon. so I think I'm just gunna order it.
 
surf88

surf88

Well-Known Member
Yea. Either way its a hell of a lot cheaper than buying those HID lights.
300- 500 bucks for a single bulb??
Fuck That!
 
Hayduke

Hayduke

Well-Known Member
surf88 said:
Yea. Either way its a hell of a lot cheaper than buying those HID lights.
300- 500 bucks for a single bulb??
Fuck That!
Click to expand...
CFL's work very good, there is no denying that. Look at the first cannagraphic link a few pages ago. "Lifeless" sure shows they work well. I will probably use his box for a "male room" to collect pollen.

HOWEVER! You will pay MORE!!!!! for cfl's in the long run. You really need just about as many watts or lumens as with hid, you just have to put them closer.
So there is no saving on electricity!!!!!!

Also, they are fairly cool, but they do put out alot of heat. If you get enough lumens, managing heat becomes as much of an issue as hid lighting.

A 150w hid light puts out whatever lumens per watt used. 150w cfl's put out some amount of lumens less right? The watts not converted into photons of light are just heat.

I got up to 420w of cfl's in 6sqft. Heat was an issue, lights very close. I made lots of mistakes: nute burn, clones straight to flower, under water. I still got some decent bud, but have purchased a 400w hps for the next round, and I am veging to 18-24". (vegging with cfl's cuz fast growth not important, this will be a mother box. cfl's are not as fast as MH but do keep plants short with tight internodal lengths)

Disclaimer: I am far knowing what I am doing. In my opinion, CFL's are great, but not the panacea that they are played up to be. If you live at your mom's and are trying to hide your grow and can't get hid lighting (no car or credit card?) CFL's do work. However they cost much more in the long run. My 10-42watters cost about $100 with fixtures another $40 add another $10 for some splitters, and you are over the cost of a hid light with a batwing reflector with the ballast and heat remote. New cfl's with 12,000 hour lifes are not enough for two grows so, another $100! You can get a 400w hid shipped for $140 from HTG supply, a little less for less watts. I have spent a little more to upgrade bulb and aircooled hood. Clf's work good but for me they are a money pit!!!!!!!!! If I had grown larger plants I would have wanted more light also. If you check out my grow, ignore about the first 10 pages of failure with the exception of the construction as most of it was not pretty!

Best wishes on your grow!!
:peace:
 
R

richjames

Well-Known Member
surf88 said:
Yea. Either way its a hell of a lot cheaper than buying those HID lights.
300- 500 bucks for a single bulb??
Fuck That!
Click to expand...


First thing... cfls may be cheaper, at first, thn ur power bill goes up... i don't use cfl's exclusively, just for sproutin, for which they are awesome! BUT My 400w hps was $150 total, shipping and everything, with the bulb. EVen seen some posts on here for a 150 hps for like $20. By far the best way to go overall is hid's. I think that overall, if u added enough cfl's to equivilate to one hps, the cost to run each would end up bein damn close to the same. LUMENS are the key. 400w hps=50,000 lumens!
 
surf88

surf88

Well-Known Member
Well I'm just goin with the 250W CFL 2 bulb thing. i got some refector stuff so it should be ok for small amount of plants.

Thanks for the advice.
 
smppro

smppro

Well-Known Member
Hayduke said:
CFL's work very good, there is no denying that. Look at the first cannagraphic link a few pages ago. "Lifeless" sure shows they work well. I will probably use his box for a "male room" to collect pollen.

HOWEVER! You will pay MORE!!!!! for cfl's in the long run. You really need just about as many watts or lumens as with hid, you just have to put them closer.
So there is no saving on electricity!!!!!!

Also, they are fairly cool, but they do put out alot of heat. If you get enough lumens, managing heat becomes as much of an issue as hid lighting.

A 150w hid light puts out whatever lumens per watt used. 150w cfl's put out some amount of lumens less right? The watts not converted into photons of light are just heat.

I got up to 420w of cfl's in 6sqft. Heat was an issue, lights very close. I made lots of mistakes: nute burn, clones straight to flower, under water. I still got some decent bud, but have purchased a 400w hps for the next round, and I am veging to 18-24". (vegging with cfl's cuz fast growth not important, this will be a mother box. cfl's are not as fast as MH but do keep plants short with tight internodal lengths)

Disclaimer: I am far knowing what I am doing. In my opinion, CFL's are great, but not the panacea that they are played up to be. If you live at your mom's and are trying to hide your grow and can't get hid lighting (no car or credit card?) CFL's do work. However they cost much more in the long run. My 10-42watters cost about $100 with fixtures another $40 add another $10 for some splitters, and you are over the cost of a hid light with a batwing reflector with the ballast and heat remote. New cfl's with 12,000 hour lifes are not enough for two grows so, another $100! You can get a 400w hid shipped for $140 from HTG supply, a little less for less watts. I have spent a little more to upgrade bulb and aircooled hood. Clf's work good but for me they are a money pit!!!!!!!!! If I had grown larger plants I would have wanted more light also. If you check out my grow, ignore about the first 10 pages of failure with the exception of the construction as most of it was not pretty!

Best wishes on your grow!!
:peace:
Click to expand...
UMM i think you might need to check your math again because 12ooo hours is A LOT MORE than 2 grows, i think the math works out to like 17
 
sikwidit bay kid 650

sikwidit bay kid 650

Active Member
misterdogman said:
isnt that the same sik with it kid inquiring about legal highs and happy caps...Id like to see your setup bro, how much you producin'?quote]
i gotta hps 150 growing one sourdiesel seedling thats a week old. and why am i asking about happy caps? well if u looked at that thread past the 1st post my question was why was a company selling herbal supplaments and trying to pass them off as drugs.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top