CFL Box design - input appreciated

B

bterz

Well-Known Member
Ok so my outdoor crop is about ready to harvest, and I'm scared im not going to have enough smoke to last me the year!! Actually I know im not going to have enough!!

Ok, so I decided to build a budget CFL box. Somewhere under 150$
I have power surges laying around the house and I have the tubwear containers as well.

I was wondering if this design will be effective for light and airflow.
 
16 42 watt bulbs will be over kill. The pc fans would be most effective sucking out the top with passive intake from the bottom.
 
I have no idea. I was thinking about using the splitters but if I have two surges going im thinking about not using the splitters, filling in each socket with a 42w CFL for veg and then maybe bump it up to 65w for flower.

I have no idea to be honest as i've never grown inside let alone with CFL's.

Im open to suggestions :D :D

EDIT: I just read that 16 42w will be overkill, as I do agree.
I was thinking about using anywhere from 8-12 total.

I want to maximize my yeild, do you think putting CFL's on the sides of the boxes would be useful?

Note-2-self: Exhaust fan on TOP of box.
 
Your tub may be about 2 square foot. 5 42 watters will give you 210 watts. That should give you enough if you keep your plants small.
 
As with any "box" grow, cooling is the real issue. I am running 12x42w bulbs and 8x23w bulbs. No way would a couple of PC fans keep it in check. I have the central AC for the house ducted into the box with a pc fan and a 7" fan pulling out. I get to around 88* on a hot day. So AC with 2 fans, one pretty big and I am still getting temps of 88* on a hot day. Heat is the enemy, dont be shy with the fans. In my rubbermaid cloning box, I put one 10" fan in the side. Its huge but that box doesnt get over 75* on a hot day, granted it only has 4x23w CFLs. Move the air through that mutha.
 
I was under the impression CFL lights dont put out much heat?
My box is going to be in a cold closet that is dark all the time. Its probably around 70 degrees in the closet most of the time.

Ok so I think i decided on a total of 6 42 W CFL's on two surges. The reason im using two surges is because I want to spread out the light a little better because its about 20 inches wide and im going to have probably 3 plants in there.

Two exhaust fans up top and on the "intake", do I need one sucking air in or just an opening at the bottom.
 
They do put out alot of heat if you have a bunch of them and the higher wattage ones put out a little heat too.
 
bterz said:
I was under the impression CFL lights dont put out much heat?
My box is going to be in a cold closet that is dark all the time. Its probably around 70 degrees in the closet most of the time.

Ok so I think i decided on a total of 6 42 W CFL's on two surges. The reason im using two surges is because I want to spread out the light a little better because its about 20 inches wide and im going to have probably 3 plants in there.

Two exhaust fans up top and on the "intake", do I need one sucking air in or just an opening at the bottom.
Click to expand...

I would have one sucking in air at the bottom and then make sure the exhaust is towards the top of the box.
 
Also, im assuming im going to need a timer.

How do you impliment these into the grow box, just put it on the surge and set it to 12 hours?
 
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