In.The.Basement
Well-Known Member
I just started my first grow and have about 1/2 the plants inside. Thier only about one or two weeks old and currently only have them at 2 inches from a regular old flouro tube, maybe for an aquarium. In regular potting soil.
Im looking to upgrade pretty dramatically just not looking to spend a lot of money on MH or HPS and thats why i think im going to go the other route with CFLs and maybe LEDs. I was under the impression that they dont use as much electricity and can plug right into an outlet (much easier), is this true?
What i've read is that you can grow under CFLs but the buds might not be as good as the other lights. Is it worth it (economically) to use a bunch of CFLs instead of a MH and HPS?
I want to build my own setup, probably in a small closet area. Heres some of my ideas...
1.CFLs give light at 360 degrees but only about 90 degrees get to the plant so i was thinking about putting maybe 2 or 3 underneath/ on the side of the plant so it will get light there and to keep height down. Will this work or is it a bad idea? I will also put CFLs around the top, probably more then underneath. Maybe even a scrog.
2.To help for reflection i was going to line the bottom and maybe top with a mirror and walls in aluminum foil or white paint. I am under the impression that the more light the better, is this true or am I overdoing it?
3.I've done an average amount of research and understand the color spectrum that plants need to grow well. Searching around one day I started reading about LED grow lights and how they only produce the light your plant wants and nothing else. Is it me or is that a great solution. Anyways I was thinking about putting some of those in my setup as well.
BTW I know this may seem far fetched for a first timer and dont need to go huge on my first try. I figure i'll step it up each go round. I was just thinking that this wouldnt be so expensive to setup or run and would be a good idea for a small space. I would also have the other essentials like a fan and exhaust if needed, etc.
If someone could tell me exactly what are the best CFL's to get for each stage of growth it would really help a lot.
if anyone has anything to say about my post i'd appreciate it.
Im looking to upgrade pretty dramatically just not looking to spend a lot of money on MH or HPS and thats why i think im going to go the other route with CFLs and maybe LEDs. I was under the impression that they dont use as much electricity and can plug right into an outlet (much easier), is this true?
What i've read is that you can grow under CFLs but the buds might not be as good as the other lights. Is it worth it (economically) to use a bunch of CFLs instead of a MH and HPS?
I want to build my own setup, probably in a small closet area. Heres some of my ideas...
1.CFLs give light at 360 degrees but only about 90 degrees get to the plant so i was thinking about putting maybe 2 or 3 underneath/ on the side of the plant so it will get light there and to keep height down. Will this work or is it a bad idea? I will also put CFLs around the top, probably more then underneath. Maybe even a scrog.
2.To help for reflection i was going to line the bottom and maybe top with a mirror and walls in aluminum foil or white paint. I am under the impression that the more light the better, is this true or am I overdoing it?
3.I've done an average amount of research and understand the color spectrum that plants need to grow well. Searching around one day I started reading about LED grow lights and how they only produce the light your plant wants and nothing else. Is it me or is that a great solution. Anyways I was thinking about putting some of those in my setup as well.
BTW I know this may seem far fetched for a first timer and dont need to go huge on my first try. I figure i'll step it up each go round. I was just thinking that this wouldnt be so expensive to setup or run and would be a good idea for a small space. I would also have the other essentials like a fan and exhaust if needed, etc.
If someone could tell me exactly what are the best CFL's to get for each stage of growth it would really help a lot.
if anyone has anything to say about my post i'd appreciate it.
