Any Experienced Cfl Growers?

Im on my first grow, i threw this cheap rig together earlier this week, cost me like 45$ without bulbs. It has 8X 42w(actual) Cfls (2X2700 6X 6300). I have two main questions

First, Before i made the rig i had just one light bulb hanging directly over each plant around 1-2 inches. But now that there is multiple lights per plant and a reflector(question 2) how close should i be bringing it to the plants. I know this is a really tricky question without seeing the actual rig, just would like some advice(because i could like get it within 2-3 inches of 2 bulbs and really far from 2 more, or center between the 4 by like 5-6 inches.) Sorry if that is hard to understand.

Second, as you can see i cheaply made a reflector out of tin, i was just wondering if u think it would beneficial to get a material(possibly mylar, or more tin) and block off the two open sides for more condenced light.

If you have any unmentioned useful information you want to throw at me would also be interestined

thanks,

Jael

As long as it's not too hot, the plants should benefit from being as close as 2" away from the bulbs.

hiya jael07, I've been Growing for just over a year now, and started out with CFL, a bunch of 30-15w and a Giant 200w Dual CFL.

Looks like a good bit of D.I.Y. so far..yeah maybe get some Panda Film or Mylar for the Walls(But looks like walls are painted White?)....also is your reflector shiny? if so might wanna dimple it with something..Think you can get Hot Spots if just left shiny..unless you got a Dull side you can use?

CFL do work best close up 2-3" away from ladies..you can always place your hand at height of ladies to check if they getting to hot?

Have you got a Fan on the go in Grow Space?(Duh just seen it in 2nd Pic)

What kind of Nutrient program you using or going to go with?

Hope Grow goes ok

Peace

1. Pic 4 shows either a nutrient deficiency or a ph imbalance, cannot help you with that unless I know your medium type and nute regiment...if any.

2. Try moving that set-up into a corner, you will be amazed how much the white walls help with CFL's.

3. The best means of utilizing CFL's is not overhead, they do not penetrate far enough...surround your plants at varied heights.

4. Add more 2700K for flowering, you'll need them anyways b/c the best way to use CFL's is with a shitload of CFL's. I kept adding and adding until finally going over 1,000 actual watts of those 42's. Then finally switched to MH/HPS, but still use CFL's for side lighting.

yeah that plant is a mess, im ashased admit it, but i actually.. dropped my baby. when i was irressponsibliy moving a wire... AND i was overwatering it a bit. that plant has been through alot of stress. https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/769837-help-diagnosing-please.html. this wasmy first post. you could see the plant before i dropped it/ set up my lighting rig, also all my growing info is there.

I guess to simplify the first question i was asking, if you cant move each light independentaly. Would it be better to have the plant 2 inches away from two lights, or 5 inches away from 4 lights.

jael07 said:

yeah that plant is a mess, im ashased admit it, but i actually.. dropped my baby. when i was irressponsibliy moving a wire... AND i was overwatering it a bit. that plant has been through alot of stress. https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/769837-help-diagnosing-please.html. this wasmy first post. you could see the plant before i dropped it/ set up my lighting rig, also all my growing info is there.

I guess to simplify the first question i was asking, if you cant move each light independentaly. Would it be better to have the plant 2 inches away from two lights, or 5 inches away from 4 lights.

Click to expand...

Pics 1 and 4 show over-watering...2 and 3 look OK.

Leaves should never droop, unless you have just watered...but even then they should be back in prayer mode within several hours. Prayer mode=when lights are ON leaves should be responding with a slight V towards the light source. If they don't, you either need more light or there is some other problem...such as over-watering.

thanks for the imput, anbody know about this question? "I guess to simplify the first question i was asking, if you cant move each light independentaly. Would it be better to have the plant 2 inches away from two lights, or 5 inches away from 4 lights."

Also its best to keep lights all around the plants so they can get equal growth. If thats not an option; rotate them 90 degrees everyday.

Stick with 4-5 inches. Keeps burn spots down, unless you are checking on them a few times a day.