CFL selections

I see a lot of people using 23-60 watt CFL's. I understand they might be more efficient but i am growing six plants in hydroponics in a cabinet. 2 1/2 feet by two feet and 6 ft tall. I made a hood and lined with mylar but my question is I have a couple 200 watt 6500k kelvin and 2,300 lumen, the majority of my bulbs are replaces 100 wat, uses 23 watt 6,500 K Kelvin and 1600 lumen. Would I be better off going with all the 200 which is about double the size of bulb. Not too concerned about how much electricity it uses and vented good for CFL. I cant go sodium or halide in such small grow cabinet. right now have about 12 bulbs total from above and sides could maybe add couple more as plants gain height. Also what ratio of 2700k (flowering bulbs) should I have in there during veg. Last question should I have 6500k veg bulbs mixed in with flowering bulbs during flowering? I see some people swear by CFL and some knock it. If this grow doesn't go good than will add or switch to LED

For veg you want approx 2:1, 6500k:2700k

Then during flowering switch it around 2:1 2700k:6500k.


One thing you don't want to do with cfl's is mount everything overhead.

You want to try and encompass the plants with CFL's especially if growing plants straight up.

If you plan to SCROG or heavily LST then you could get away with mountings only overhead.



J

Thanks very helpful, switched them out this morning, exactly 2:1, there is one more yellow but cant see in pic what size bulbs works well? the smaller ones 100 watt equivalent or the lumbo 200-300 watt equivalents? I have a mix of 100w and 200 w currently combined I have 18,000 lumen but could go higher if that works better. I have a side LED panel but it was a cheapo and not sure its even worth keeping in. Had hood drop a bit while i was rewiring and leaves got a little droopy, misted with water and raised them a touch...Critical + non autoflowering and one afgan kush. This is my first indoor grow, excited

jpete0001 said:

Thanks very helpful, switched them out this morning, exactly 2:1, there is one more yellow but cant see in pic what size bulbs works well? the smaller ones 100 watt equivalent or the lumbo 200-300 watt equivalents? I have a mix of 100w and 200 w currently combined I have 18,000 lumen but could go higher if that works better. I have a side LED panel but it was a cheapo and not sure its even worth keeping in. Had hood drop a bit while i was rewiring and leaves got a little droopy, misted with water and raised them a touch...Critical + non autoflowering and one afgan kush. This is my first indoor grow, excitedView attachment 3272393

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I'm an MH/HPS guy but I used to veg with the 300w (actual wattage) CFL's.

They were good for about 8"-10" of penetration.

I've never used household cfl bulbs to grow.



J

the bulbs were rated full spectrum unless that is marketing hype, i made sure it was 6,500k and 2700 k, crap will get some bigger ones, because its a closet grow cant do MH/HPS but now thinking about getting a good higher end LED panel and use CFL's for sides?