CFL Quick Question...

THATWASEASY

Active Member
Hello All,
Just went to Home Depot and picked up 8 CFL's. Now they did not state specifically that they were red or blue spectrum. I also did not see the K's.

However they are 60watts and provide 800lumens EACH. They came in a red case (4) and a blue case (4). I am assuming this is the spectrum is this correct??

Will these work for what im trying to do?? ;)...just have some good mid seeds laying around and want to try them out before I buy some seeds....thanks all!

Thanks soooo much for your help for this simple question!!!
 

gudenufftoeat

Active Member
high all no offense here jus sayin go big or or go gorilla just dont devote ur time and money to bagseed c'mon at least reserch on the strain so u kno correct enviroment and or region to grow keep at it though.
 

THATWASEASY

Active Member
This would be my first grow so just trying to get a feel for it my friend. That's all...not a waste of time in my opinion. Saving money so if these mess up no big deal...instead of 50$ for some seeds that i kill.

Is 8 lights enough (4 blue case - daylight) (4 red case - bright white)??

Just looking for a simple answer...not bashing
 

P@ssw0rd

New Member
Simple answers dont come often around here. Yes you can grow under those lights. No you probably wouldn't harvest much but good enough to start em under for sure. Your bulbs are 60 watt equivalents by the way, they probably are more like 13 watts in reality [look REAL close] Most people don't bother with anything under the 100 watt equivalents [23 or 26 watts about 1750 lumen's.] You can see my Cfl array here [https://www.rollitup.org/attachments/grow-room-design-setup/86722d1205884825-so-i-built-growdrobe-pics-picture-015.jpg]
Those sockets are double sided for a total of 14 100 watt equivalent bulbs. It can veg a young plant great but i wouldn't try to flower under it. Think of cfls like a cheap way to get in the game, but for a nice harvest you either need ALOT of them or use a hid to flower and cfl to veg. Alot of people get cfls first then buy a hid later. Check out the grow faq, it answers most questions you might have.
Good luck
 

THATWASEASY

Active Member
Great answer...Thanks alot bud... They are actually 60w equivalent to a 150watt or something. They only produce 800 lumens a piece. I have not taken them out the packaging so may return them for something a bit larger. I bought the splitters as well. (Y splitter). Can you get any GOOD cfl's from home depot??? If so what do you recommend??? Thanks soooooo much!!


Simple answers dont come often around here. Yes you can grow under those lights. No you probably wouldn't harvest much but good enough to start em under for sure. Your bulbs are 60 watt equivalents by the way, they probably are more like 13 watts in reality [look REAL close] Most people don't bother with anything under the 100 watt equivalents [23 or 26 watts about 1750 lumen's.] You can see my Cfl array here [https://www.rollitup.org/attachments/grow-room-design-setup/86722d1205884825-so-i-built-growdrobe-pics-picture-015.jpg]
Those sockets are double sided for a total of 14 100 watt equivalent bulbs. It can veg a young plant great but i wouldn't try to flower under it. Think of cfls like a cheap way to get in the game, but for a nice harvest you either need ALOT of them or use a hid to flower and cfl to veg. Alot of people get cfls first then buy a hid later. Check out the grow faq, it answers most questions you might have.
Good luck
 

P@ssw0rd

New Member
ummmmmm. your numbers sound all wrong. My 23 watt bulb [100 watt equivalent] bulbs put out like 1750 lumen each so if you have a true 60 watt fluorescent bulb it would give WAY more then 800 lumens. Like i said read the package really close. dollars to donuts says those aren't really 60 watt bulbs. Personally i use cheapo bulbs walmart stuff etc. daylight for veg, soft white for bud. My array is 12 daylight bulbs and 2 soft white.
 

40acres

New Member
For real, my 65w bulbs produse 4800 lumens. Red spectrum is for flower, blue for veg. Get the biggest and most bulbs you can. It will help alot.
 

THATWASEASY

Active Member
I was at work and you were right Password. I ended up returning them as I got like 13watt red spectrum bulbs = to 800 lumens. I picked up some 27watt daylights from homey depot. They give out 1300 lumens. I bought 2 for now since I am just germinating and obviously will increase lights as necessary.

lol....I have the seed germinating so wait a week to toast her right???

I have been reading alot about reflecting the lights so the plants feed of the lights. Is there any thing from the Home Depot / Walmart / Lowe's that I can just buy or build to save money??

Thanks...btw this forum rocks
 

aztecline

Active Member
some people have used cut out pop cans. you can get reflectors at like home depot or other places like those.

if you want to make something, try the pop can idea, or, make it out of aluminum foil. i know a lot of people have this thing against foil, but i've used it without any burns. as for the walls, white is good for reflecting light. most will suggest painting the wall white, or getting mylar.
 

GanjaPrincess

Well-Known Member
At Home Depot, they have reflectors that come with plug-in sockets for 15 bucks cdn each. They also have clips on them so you can clip them to the side of your pot (if it's large enough), or elsewhere. They're on the same aisle as the outside MH lights and the extension cords. (At least they are in my HD :P)
 

Garden Knowm

The Love Doctor
easy... you want to try and get the 42 watt CFLs (150 watt equivalent, 2600 lumens)... or bigger...

The cheapest I have seen the 42 watt bulbs this year, is at Target... $7.44

cheers
 
Top