drvonshineck
Member
So I have decided to take the advice of my fellow growers and buy a CFL.
Is it okay to use a 150w 5500k on a autoflower from start to finish?
Is it okay to use a 150w 5500k on a autoflower from start to finish?
5500K CFL for the whole grow?
- Thread starter drvonshineck
- Start date
lorrie1
Well-Known Member
It is possible, but i dont think youll get huge plant.18/6 or 20/4 is good for autos. also the cfl should be placed as close as possible to the plants with out burning them.(about 2")
did a few experiments with diffrent colour bulbs, maybe add 125w cfl, 2700k as well. Basically the more light the better. Hope this helps.
did a few experiments with diffrent colour bulbs, maybe add 125w cfl, 2700k as well. Basically the more light the better. Hope this helps.
polyarcturus
Well-Known Member
anything around 5000k is the best spectrum of cfl i say do it.
Smokenpassout
Well-Known Member
No, a 150 watt CFL is not enough light to flower a single plant. One spectrum of blue 5500k light isn't ideal either for flowering. I use a 150 watt 5500k to veg alone. When I flower I, toss that and add three 100 watt CFL's. As lorrie1 stated, proximity is very important with CFL. I like mine 1-2 inches away, with a gentle fan on them.
mtgeezer
Well-Known Member
You were advised to do a complete grow by your friends with a vegetation spectrum bulb? Did you piss off your "friends" in the past? Contrary to what Smokenpassout says, a 150 is enough but I wouldn't use it for blooming. That 150 watt is barely over 50% of what my T-5 6X4' setup puts out. By switching to a 2500k for blooming you'll do better. 
This is Kandy Kush(tall one on right), along with Nirvana AK-48 and G13 Labs Pineapple Express(non-auto) grown in soil obviously with Fox Farms solubles under this t-5 panel using grow and flower bulbs.
The next is my Dutch Passion Auto Blueberry, 37 days from germinating View attachment 2587194 , growing in WaterFarm hydro unit and fed from Advanced Nutrients grower packs(I bought the 250 m/l packs) @ 50% of recommended levels and supplemented with Sensi Grow and Connoisseur. The auto did NOT have any grow bulbs used, only flowering all the time, 16/8 until flower bud started forming at the branch terminal ends and switched to 12/12 10 days ago. This pic was taken today. Seed germinated 2/16/13.
If these were grown using 324 watts, your 150 should do OK but definitely smaller crop. SO...........just try growing one or two at a time until you can afford better.
This is Kandy Kush(tall one on right), along with Nirvana AK-48 and G13 Labs Pineapple Express(non-auto) grown in soil obviously with Fox Farms solubles under this t-5 panel using grow and flower bulbs.The next is my Dutch Passion Auto Blueberry, 37 days from germinating View attachment 2587194 , growing in WaterFarm hydro unit and fed from Advanced Nutrients grower packs(I bought the 250 m/l packs) @ 50% of recommended levels and supplemented with Sensi Grow and Connoisseur. The auto did NOT have any grow bulbs used, only flowering all the time, 16/8 until flower bud started forming at the branch terminal ends and switched to 12/12 10 days ago. This pic was taken today. Seed germinated 2/16/13.If these were grown using 324 watts, your 150 should do OK but definitely smaller crop. SO...........just try growing one or two at a time until you can afford better.
Attachments
MATTYMATT726
Well-Known Member
5000k and 5500k is for veg. Blue light and not red. 2u00k is red for flowering. If you want 1 light for both, 3000k and 3500k is right in the middle. Also many smaller light of the same wattage is better than 1 bulb because they need to stay 2-4" to buds to be effective. When with cfls(also have 2 200 watt 2700k from early grows XD), i prefer atleast 5 bit closer to 8 42 watt bulbs per plant. 100 watts is a bare minimum in cfl pwr plant and 200 watts is more recommend if not SOG/SCROG for small plants IMO.
Frank Nitty
Well-Known Member
What don't you know??? How long have you been doing this???
MATTYMATT726
Well-Known Member
I read A LOT XD even though i didn't start growing untill 2012, i believe i was intrigued around '07. Just took awhile to actually get involved. I feel RIU is the best site(grow weed easy is only a few years old but easily a top info spot just not a fourm like here), bit also read around on Grass city, Icmag or however it is spelled and recently found AFN. I just like to read XD
Frank Nitty
Well-Known Member
Me too!!! I'm reading up on an hlg qb right now... I'm trying to find out what the best light for my small tent is... I'm leaning towards the QB 288 135w...
MATTYMATT726
Well-Known Member
Thats what i got for my first QB/Cob. I used to have a Area 51 led(red/blue but actually good led not Chinese stuff). I never grew in a tent, but with autos figured id want all the light hitting them as possible, so got a 4x4x6
set that shit up and was like uhhhh.... should've gone a tad smaller. 135 flowers 2-2.5x2-2.5 so id need 4 to use my whole tent effectively. Definatley going to have 2 for sure though. Its very bright. Light and looks neat which is important for my odcness.
Frank Nitty
Well-Known Member
It's crazy how much we have in commonThats what i got for my first QB/Cob. I used to have a Area 51 led(red/blue but actually good led not Chinese stuff). I never grew in a tent, but with autos figured id want all the light hitting them as possible, so got a 4x4x6
MATTYMATT726
Well-Known Member
Spill the beans XD i don't live in a legal growing state(NY), but often wish i knew a grower near me to actually grow and teach/learn from each other. Tried to get my buddy but his wife said no sir can do XD
Frank Nitty
Well-Known Member
I'm in Ohio dude,it's not legal here either, I love being an outlaw!!! Been to prison for it, fuck it,catch me if you can!!! The gov.said that rec.use will be legal in 2019!!! I can't wait!!! Not that it matters!!!
MATTYMATT726
Well-Known Member
Well its mid May already(not like i can believe it)
Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
Why take any chances with spectrum ? If apply the lights effectively then you get some proper weed for your efforts ... One bulb is not enough.
- 5500k are great for vegging ( ecosmart or feint electric bulbs )
- SIDE of spiral is the most light .... Reflectors are recommended.
- More the Better ( multiple bulbs ) for a proper grow.
- simple swap to 2700k bulbs provide the needed spectrum to stimulate proper flowering.
- pick ONE schedule - stick all the way to end.
- You CAN MIX SPECTRUMS - both 5000k/5500k with 2700k " warm " ( equal ratio or higher 2700k ).
- SURROUND THE PLANT WITH LIGHT - sides / mids / supplement
- MIN. 4-5 bulbs per plant to get a decent one.
This from my CFL DAYS .... I actually liked this method ( small grows ) and is similar to other fluorescents. You can " line " a tent with single T5 light attached vertically at tent supports. So many creative ways to use. I built a 12-16 bulb ( depending on socket piece ) per holder .... I ran a mixed ( 5000k / 2700k ) with my autos . There are many bulb adapters on Amazon to use 3 or 4 bulb PER SOCKET.
- 5500k are great for vegging ( ecosmart or feint electric bulbs )
- SIDE of spiral is the most light .... Reflectors are recommended.
- More the Better ( multiple bulbs ) for a proper grow.
- simple swap to 2700k bulbs provide the needed spectrum to stimulate proper flowering.
- pick ONE schedule - stick all the way to end.
- You CAN MIX SPECTRUMS - both 5000k/5500k with 2700k " warm " ( equal ratio or higher 2700k ).
- SURROUND THE PLANT WITH LIGHT - sides / mids / supplement
- MIN. 4-5 bulbs per plant to get a decent one.
This from my CFL DAYS .... I actually liked this method ( small grows ) and is similar to other fluorescents. You can " line " a tent with single T5 light attached vertically at tent supports. So many creative ways to use. I built a 12-16 bulb ( depending on socket piece ) per holder .... I ran a mixed ( 5000k / 2700k ) with my autos . There are many bulb adapters on Amazon to use 3 or 4 bulb PER SOCKET.
Frank Nitty
Well-Known Member
Damn!!! That set up is vicious!!!
Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
It was hella simple ....
Bought 10" galvanized duct ( I think it was 36" or 40" or something )
Cut down the middle
Used " NEVR DULL " ( a polishing material that looks like cotton inside of a can )
Buffed interior of duct ( for reflector )
Measured / cut holes for standard bulb sockets ( rubberized) @home depot
Cut an old orange construction extension cord ( 3 prong ) and wired / soldered sockets
Holes drilled into each corner for threaded Rod ( Home Depot )
Nuts / washers to hold hood shape and for hang chains.
Looked for bulb adapters to use multiple bulbs fer single socket ...
POOF ! .......... Instant Grow Light
Add clamp reflectors for side lighting and you are set.
Spent like 40-45 dollars on everything including bulbs . Cheaper if you have some of the parts ( cord / nuts / washers / bulbs / etc. )
The rods act as a mounting point for clamp lights too !
It ran cool PLUS I could run it to a timer for on/off cycle.
Anybody crying about CFL , either didn't apply it right or never did it.
It's fucking easy to do ... I've done T5 and T8 before but like the simple no frills way it grows my personal smoke. I have moved on to other lights but I will NEVER discourage anyone interested in it , it works .
But to the OP ...... Add more light however you plan to do it. You will not get a good plant with less.... Good luck