GE 12257 / FLUORESCENT TUBE : GE 12263 (33 watt 25" Standard Wall Plug)

http://www.elightbulbs.com/GE-12257-FBS25-WX-PP-Light-Kit
Lumens: 725
Watts: 33
Temp: 3450K

http://www.elightbulbs.com/GE-12263-FBS25-GS-PP-Light-Kit
Lumens: 470
Watts: 33
Temp: 3050K

Would either of these lights be suitable for flowering? (in a pair of 2)

I know its not exactly 2700k but these seem like a bargain compared to buying a sep ballast/fixture.

Also, would it be at any disadvantage to use these while vegging coupled with stock aero garden lights?

You would need about 2-3 per plant. They should be fine, but why not just get a small HPS?

How much would a small HPS run me and where can I find one?

All I have been able to find is a 150w floodlight mounting kit for $60 plus the bulb, and I have a feeling that is going to cook my plants in the small space I have.

30"x24"x12" (2.5'x2'x1') is the space I have to work with.

Oh, damn, did see how small your space was, stick with the tube lighting or CFL, the HPS will generate way too much heat. Line the sides of your box with those, and top the canoppy with a few CFL's, and your be going strong with some mini plants. Cheers

I wasn't able to find any wall plug fixtures for CFLs so I just decided to start looking at tubes.

Was planning on getting 3 of those tube lights one for top, left, right.

But I'm still wondering, how much does the color temp really matter?

is 3400k/3000k a big difference from 2700k?

Should I go for the light with more lumens or closest to the 2700k?

Color would be fine like that. So you are gonna put 2-3 on tope, then one on each side? So that would be almost 200W, a ton of light for a small area, should work out fine!

lurkmaster said:

http://www.elightbulbs.com/GE-12257-FBS25-WX-PP-Light-Kit
Lumens: 725
Watts: 33
Temp: 3450K

http://www.elightbulbs.com/GE-12263-FBS25-GS-PP-Light-Kit
Lumens: 470
Watts: 33
Temp: 3050K

Would either of these lights be suitable for flowering? (in a pair of 2)

I know its not exactly 2700k but these seem like a bargain compared to buying a sep ballast/fixture.

Also, would it be at any disadvantage to use these while vegging coupled with stock aero garden lights?

Click to expand...

Those bulbs are weak, they only put out 730 lumens each. A suggested amount of light to aim for is 3k-10k lumens per Sq ft.

Id look at one of these for your grow.
http://www.htgsupply.com/growlighttypes.asp?categoryID=1&subcategoryID=107

I have the compact and use it for clones and seedling. It could flower perhaps 2 small plants.

HydroBandits said:

Those bulbs are weak, they only put out 730 lumens each. A suggested amount of light to aim for is 3k-10k lumens per Sq ft.

Id look at one of these for your grow.
http://www.htgsupply.com/growlighttypes.asp?categoryID=1&subcategoryID=107

I have the compact and use it for clones and seedling. It could flower perhaps 2 small plants.

Click to expand...

the "Mini"
http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=49216

looks like it would work but I kind of feel like its a waste to take off the AG hood, but if I don't it's going to be blocking all of the light.

I'll post new pics of my grow space later tonight.

Okay, so here is what my projected setup will be.

Just wondering if the t12s will really be worth it or not.

probably wont use the t 12s until I'm done vegging and I've raised my AG hood a bit.

lurkmaster said:

http://www.elightbulbs.com/GE-12257-FBS25-WX-PP-Light-Kit
Lumens: 725
Watts: 33
Temp: 3450K

http://www.elightbulbs.com/GE-12263-FBS25-GS-PP-Light-Kit
Lumens: 470
Watts: 33
Temp: 3050K

Would either of these lights be suitable for flowering? (in a pair of 2)

I know its not exactly 2700k but these seem like a bargain compared to buying a sep ballast/fixture.

Also, would it be at any disadvantage to use these while vegging coupled with stock aero garden lights?

Click to expand...

no..that wont help flowering at all..not even with with multiple lights...and 740 lumens per bulb are weak..the 20w t12s i use for my mother are 1100 lumens...

Go with HO T5s (high output) or cfl.

I dont know of any tubes that come in 2700k i think only cfls get that color range at the moment.

2'HO T5's are like 2,000 lumens each and the 4' HO T5's are 5,000 lumens.

The HO T5 fixtures with reflectors will give you alot more light and are worth the extra money.

I have heard the 2700k cfls will flower better so you might want to just get a 6500k HO T5 setup for veg then use 2700k cfls for flower after.

I might be wrong about the 2700k being better.

good luck with your grow

Id mount a few cfls on the sides of the cab either using a power strips and prong to socket adapters or wire and mount some light fixtures on the sides.

In our grow we use 23 watt cfls that put out 1700 lumens. perhaps two on cfls on each side and you'd be rockin.

Oh wow, I didn't even see your lumen rating for those lights. Yeah, they are not a good choice. Go with some good CFL's as mentioned above... Cheers

Didnt bother reading any post but ur first question and i have a small spot as well and I use three of the top choice you have, and I'm shocked at how well theyre working and youre right theyre a steal, they carry the same exact ones at walmart as well good luck.

Getting mixed responses, I'm not planning on growing monsters.

The main reason why this is something I was looking at was cost/simplicity of install/uninstall + recyclability (can actually use those under a cabinet)

It's not that they won't work, of course they will work. It is just a matter of the quality of the end product. I recommend using them as side lights wrapped around the side of the plants, then a couple stronger CFL's at the top. I am sure either way, you will be able to grow ok stuff for personal use.

Well if you nobody thinks it would be worth spending $30 on, I won't waste my time/money.

I just know that I need more light when I start flowering.

I guess I'll just dig up some older threads.

What I'm really looking for it some solution that doesn't require breaking my AG hood that will benefit me the most in flowering at the lowest cost.

I am not looking to spend more than $50 on these extra lights, I am trying to minimize expenses and maximize the use of my current resources.

I found the GE 12257 lights for $16/pop so two of them only runs me up $32+shipping.

Are people not reading my post? or are they assuming the AG lights are garbage?

HydroBandits said:

Id mount a few cfls on the sides of the cab either using a power strips and prong to socket adapters or wire and mount some light fixtures on the sides.

In our grow we use 23 watt cfls that put out 1700 lumens. perhaps two on cfls on each side and you'd be rockin.

Click to expand...

Where can I get prong to socket adapters? Home Depot? Lowes? Online?

fernando12 said:

Didnt bother reading any post but ur first question and i have a small spot as well and I use three of the top choice you have, and I'm shocked at how well theyre working and youre right theyre a steal, they carry the same exact ones at walmart as well good luck.

Click to expand...

I guess my walmart sucks, they only had 1 type of soft white lights (2700k) and it was 13 watt great value brand.

They had one pH test kit that only went to 6.5, with no pH adjuster.

I'll check and see if they have those tubes, doubt they will though.

Yo, went to walmart again and found some lying around on some random isle, turns out they are only $10/pop

Went ahead and grabbed 2 of them along with a light timer.

Might grab 2 more further down the road.

Posted a pic of the setup.


I decided this was totally worth $20.

Its going to give me just a little bit extra for flowering, which is all I wanted.

Lurker have you used the aerogarden for a grow yet, or is this the first run.

It does sound like your walmart sucks, if you have a pet section in your walmart, you can get the ph tester for fish tanks, I used it for a long time, and it worked very well.