CFL lighting - Does less equal more?

Here's my general idea, with my question to follow.

I'm going to pick up one of those heavy duty cardboard wardrobe boxes with the metal hanger racks inside them from the U-Haul store. They're like $11. Dimensions for the one I'm looking at are 21"L x 18"W x 46"H. I plan on scrogging two plants inside it. I want to hang three powerstrips with 6 outlets each over the canapy width wise.

My question is, would it be better to use 9x 26 watt cfls screwed into socket to outlet adapters, plugged in every other outlet on the powerstrips, or would it be better to use 15x 19 watt cfls plugged into socket to outlet adapters, leaving one empty socket per power strip? Would it be safe to fill the entire strips with lights since they're so low wattage, as long as they don't go over the max wattage/amps for the strips?

I know 15x 19w cfls provides more lumens, and I know someone is going to mention that. Imagine if I only used 13x 19w cfls, then the lumens would be close to the same. If the lumens are the same, is it better to use a higher quantity of smaller bulbs versus fewer, larger ones?

if arranged right u can get better light spread but u can get the same with the 19 watt
i wouldnt use anything less then 26 watt

With cfls, you are much better looking for 50w and above online, low wattage bulbs are a waste imo, of space and light.

you need a min of 45w CFLs or go for a min 50w MH and HPS mix

godfreyandthandi said:

With cfls, you are much better looking for 50w and above online, low wattage bulbs are a waste imo, of space and light.

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I agree, the 42W's are easily available and the best choice IMHO.

Toolage 87 said:

you need a min of 45w CFLs or go for a min 50w MH and HPS mix

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Yeah OK, minimum if you want shitty results.

To get best results for CFL it's best to do 1 or 2 big (105W+) ones on top and many around the lower branches. Also check out some low stress training. It helps get the most light penetration out of your setup

I dont want to be THAT guy, but have you thought about 150w HPS? Same heat, if you have ballast outside of your box, dunno about prices, but shouldnt be too expensive if you get some kind of security light, less work maintaining proper distance prom canopy, better results.

bacdafucup said:

I dont want to be THAT guy, but have you thought about 150w HPS? Same heat, if you have ballast outside of your box, dunno about prices, but shouldnt be too expensive if you get some kind of security light, less work maintaining proper distance prom canopy, better results.

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haha now that you're THAT guy i guess i'll show my setup. I think it works pretty well. 150W HPS with a glass heat shield. Surrounded by 5 mixed spectrum cfls on 3 lamps using y-splitters. The lamps are flexible so the cfls can go anywhere i want to put them. I have 1 fan blowing on it and my temps don't get above 84. I don't even use my thermometer anymore to be honest. But when i was keeping track my temps were 69-84. kind of a wide range but i haven't had any problems. I believe CFLs are great for side lighting, not ideal for primary. I started off with a 105W CFL on top and the same side setup. I wish i would've gone straight to HPS, as the light was actually CHEAPER. Here is my setup.
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wbd said:

Yeah OK, minimum if you want shitty results.

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We're talking about veg not flowering and its a min for the wattage of MH and HPS that he should go for nothing lower. Also for small areas the low wattage MH and HPS lights are better then CFLs because if you cool tube the MH and HPS lights you can pretty much get them as close as a CFL but get better results.

Ok, so let me get this straight. 16k lumens over approx 2.5 sq ft, or broken down, 6k lumens per square foot with 19 watt cfls is not enough? Fewer, higher wattage cfls is more recommended?

Also, I already have a 600w hps that I can't use right now because the setup has to be small and fairly stealthy. I don't plan on investing in lower watt hps or MH.

Thank you all for the input so far, it's much appreciated.

If your planing on just veging with those lights the low wattage lights will work but the higher wattage lights are better for the lums per watt they put out but make sure you use the ones that are 4100k (Kalvin not k lums)

I use CFL's and from the pictures I can't tell what kind of lamp socket you're using or how you mount them. I'm most interested as I'm a new grower with still lots of unanswered questions. Thank you.

jamiesname said:

Ok, so let me get this straight. 16k lumens over approx 2.5 sq ft, or broken down, 6k lumens per square foot with 19 watt cfls is not enough? Fewer, higher wattage cfls is more recommended?

Also, I already have a 600w hps that I can't use right now because the setup has to be small and fairly stealthy. I don't plan on investing in lower watt hps or MH.

Thank you all for the input so far, it's much appreciated.

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Personally I would say yes, fewer higher watt cfls. The ideal situation with cfls is to have as many as your fans can control (temperature wise)

I've gone for 2, 125w cfls hung vertically a 90w led UFO (irrelivant I suppose to the question and 2 smaller 24w cfls for additional light.

Just remember the golden rule of proximity to foliage and cfls will work wonders

8 year old unknown breed bag seed under 10 26W 2700K CFL in aluminum foil lined cardbord box. 8 over head 2 on side. 24/24 for 3weeks . 12/12 for 9weeks now. box dimensions = 36X24X12 . average temp 75-80F . cheep $5 bag of 10-30-20 after flower sight.

ive got mine in veg state right now under 4 100 watt (23 actual) cfl. things are working good so far. Check my link in my
signature.

Fustigatem said:

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8 year old unknown breed bag seed under 10 26W 2700K CFL in aluminum foil lined cardbord box. 8 over head 2 on side. 24/24 for 3weeks . 12/12 for 9weeks now. box dimensions = 36X24X12 . average temp 75-80F . cheep $5 bag of 10-30-20 after flower sight.

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that looks good. good job man.

ty. amazing part was that an 8 year old seed grew. '';..;''

Fustigatem said:

ty. amazing part was that an 8 year old seed grew. '';..;''

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yeah thats bad ass! hows it smellin?

Use the 26 watters you will have a higher lumen out put and less heat compared the lower watt bulbs but more of them............the good thing about cardboard is that you can just put the sockets directly into the side of the box if you have to and if you need to move it just tape the hole and open another one........use your light bar at the top tho and cut the holes for side lighting