Thoughts on full spectrum lighting?

mockasin

mockasin

Member
Hi there. About a year back I got a full spectrum lamp that mimics natural light, as it's supposed to be helpful for Winter depression. I'm planning on doing a very small grow soon--1 to 3 plants, most likely just one or two--for fun. Would this kind of lamp be good to use, or is it better to go for high-intensity wattage, than something that focuses on mimicing daylight?
From wikipedia:
" Products marketed as "full-spectrum" may produce light throughout the entire spectrum, but actually do not produce an even spectral distribution, and may not even differ substantially from lights not marketed as "full-spectrum" "
So, I don't know. If you want to recommend me a different kind of bulb, I'm looking for best value. I'm really living on a budget though right now, so I can't afford something very expensive.
Bulb specs:
CFL bulb
1360 lumen
27W
full spectrum
If you're curious of the actual bulb in question, it's this model: http://www.lightspectrumstore.com/27-watt-daylight-4-pin-compact-fluorescent-cfl-light-bulb-bppl27f-65/
 
iHearAll

iHearAll

Well-Known Member
you could start seeds under that for sure. it's not going to get you through flowering though. even if you started in 12/12. if you're REALLY on a budget, then go for a chinese LED panel. They afford you space for at least one plant. the mars 600 has some good reviews. i use something more like the mars 300 but an american builder a few years ago. that being said i really like it for vegging but i've never flowered under it. so, the mars 600 is pretty cheap still and you can yeild at least a qp under one. seen it done a few times. hope this helps. hope you make some $, cheers
 
iHearAll

iHearAll

Well-Known Member
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-600W-LED-Grow-Light-Full-Spectrum-Panel-Veg-Flower-for-Medical-Indoor-Plant-/112194803281?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/131544771586?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1000W-Full-Spectrum-Hydro-LED-grow-light-for-medical-plants-veg-and-bloom-Fruit/391471068035?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20150313114020&meid=e84afeed2b334c0782845fa02ebbd3f4&pid=100338&rk=3&rkt=30&mehot=pp&sd=131544771586

any cheaper and you'll be upset.


on the contrary, you could start with your current bulb in the winter and bring your plant outside to flower in spring after the last frost.
 
mockasin

mockasin

Member
I probably should have mentioned I'm using auto seeds. Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate it. Do you think DHgate would be okay to get lighting from? They're like a cheap reseller/wholesale market and most of their sellers ship from China. For glass rigs at least, they have a lot of really cheap (though questionable quality) options. Though maybe lighting is one of those things you can't go too cheap on, I dunno.
 
iHearAll

iHearAll

Well-Known Member
just use ebay. alot of members have purchased through ebay and are satisfied

i mean... if it's the same brand and cheaper from the source you know of then go for it
 
mockasin

mockasin

Member
Dr. Who said:
Hmmm, 1360 Lumens.....

To be truly effective. Your at least 138,640 lumens short in my book.
Click to expand...
Though I'm not looking to be truly effective, I need best value for cheap. To put into perspective, I spend about $90 a month on food to feed two adults. I can't even afford these recommended lower-end lights right now. Maybe in the future, but my prospects at the moment are florescent or CFLs. This is something I've heard is doable, even if it's not ideal.
What I'm considering atm: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apollo-Horticulture-250-Watt-CFL-Compact-Fluorescent-Grow-Light-Bulb-/152323846764?hash=item237735726c:g:QoIAAOSwnbZYHOUb
 
mockasin

mockasin

Member
Also I take it full spectrum is not important in growing? Not sure if that term is just a marketing thing or if it's actually beneficial at all.
 
GreenSanta

GreenSanta

Well-Known Member
if you cant afford the lights, dont bother, it will be nothing but a waste of time. wait and grow outdoor instead.
 
mockasin

mockasin

Member
GreenSanta said:
if you cant afford the lights, dont bother, it will be nothing but a waste of time. wait and grow outdoor instead.
Click to expand...
Yikes, that's a bit hopeless. I've heard of yields around 20 grams per plant, using 300W CFL. Even halving that amount would mean I made profit.
 
Roger A. Shrubber

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
as far as "full spectrum" goes, it means different things in different applications. a full spectrum light meant to relieve a persons seasonal affective disorder isn't going to have the same "full spectrum" a grow light would have, as people and plants use different parts of the available spectrum. and there are parts of the spectrum that have little to no effect on plants, so why bother to go to the expense to provide something they have no use for?
not trying to sound like a dick, but just go with whats worked for a long time. theres been a lot of people with money to spare that have been experimenting for a long time, and most of them use h.i.d.s or cobs...if there was some "secret" do you seriously think a bunch of stoners could keep it for more than a day?
 
Olive Drab Green

Olive Drab Green

Well-Known Member
If you choose the Chinese LED route, I'm gonna recommend ViparSpectra. Definitely works for cheap. However, ideally, if you pay $50 more, you can start with a single COB fixture like Tasty's T1 or Timber or Johnson or PLC, etc.
 
mockasin

mockasin

Member
I mean, the full spectrum light isn't an extra expense to me, it's something I had laying around which I don't use often. I'm not trying to find a "secret" I'm simply a bare beginner with not a lot of money to spend.

Also, that's awesome to hear RM3. I'll check out your journal :)
 
Dr. Who

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
mockasin said:
Though I'm not looking to be truly effective, I need best value for cheap. To put into perspective, I spend about $90 a month on food to feed two adults. I can't even afford these recommended lower-end lights right now. Maybe in the future, but my prospects at the moment are florescent or CFLs. This is something I've heard is doable, even if it's not ideal.
What I'm considering atm: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apollo-Horticulture-250-Watt-CFL-Compact-Fluorescent-Grow-Light-Bulb-/152323846764?hash=item237735726c:g:QoIAAOSwnbZYHOUb
Click to expand...
To be fair. Yes, RM3 is right...You can produce a cpl of zips for under $100. Forgive me, sometimes I forget that needs can trump want...You tend to forget about small and cheap. When your resources are fairly unlimited....Sorry.

Personally, I would go with a 3 bulb cfl set up. Although the first bulb I list can get you started alone.

Say a 2x2 area, reflective sheeting covered sides (if you can - otherwise flat white walls)
Single 65K, 105w straight loop (6200 lumens) daylight CFL...About $ 24 bucks
You can use that start to finish and with the proper strain (top once) and feeding. Hit a cpl of zips pretty easy! Topping and minor training might yield a bit more....

You could improve more by investing another $44 bucks on 2 more bulbs in the 27K range, 105w spiral loop (7150 lumens) and put those on either side of the 65K at the flip and run those all bloom. larger, denser buds will result...
Your total would be 20,350 lumens with the 3 bulbs in bloom.....You could, with proper topping, trimming and training. Hit 3+ zips fairly easy....

So then, 3 or more zips for less then $70 and around 1.5+ for like $25....Then ------
Skip the cheap LED thing! Build some capitol and go COB LEDs.
 
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