Hello.
I am a first time grower.
Smoke alot for my pain, and hope it is cheaper to grow myself.
I am growing in an area where I believe will be a heat issue during the summer months. Upstairs crawlspace (southside) that is approx. 5' high x 7' wide, the length of the house.
So therefore I choose to grow with cfl's.
Here is my current lighting setup:
I currently have a 250w cfl on a horizontal reflector.
And a 200w cfl on a horizontal reflector.
I hung the reflectors so the bulbs are facing each other.
I then used 2 adjustable clamp lamps (socket rated for 150w).
Removed the clamp lamps round reflector and attached them between the horizontal reflectors on each side.
The clamp lamps are clamped to both horizontal reflectors butt-ends.
Holding them togther.
Almost like 1 hood instead of 2
On each adjustable clamp lamp I have 3 Y-adaptors, 2x42w and 2x26w.
The 42w are placed on the outside, parallel to reflectors edge, and the 26w are facing in towards the center of the 2 reflectors.
These reflectors are not exactly the same shape, 1 is 18" and the other is 24" but it works for me............................now.
Abit of trial and error with the adjustable clamp lamps.
Had to strengthen them so they would hold the weight and not fall on my plants.
Poor guys
I have:
250w = 16000 lumens
200w = 14250
4x42w= 11400
4x27w= 6400
----------------
718w= 48050 lumens
All These bulbs are 6400k or 6500k.
Here is me screwin around to show you a basic blueprint of my bulb placements under the 2 reflectors
X = my larger plant placements in 6" pots , they are approx. 7" tall
Also have a few smaller seedlings in there in 3.5" pots not shown incase I killed my originals, LOL.
These are all from bagseed, no clones.
24h light.
--------------------------------|-------------------------------
[ [ 42w ] | [ 42w ] ]
[ | ]
[ X X 26w | 26w X X ]
[ | ]
[ [---200w---] X [---250w---] ]
[ | ]
[ X X 26w | 26w X X ]
[ | ]
[ [ 42w ] | [ 42w ] ]
--------------------------------|-------------------------------
24" reflector 18" reflector
Since there is not much light behind or around the socket and transformers, etc. I would consider this a 18" x 36" growing area.
----------------------------------------------
Ok
Now you now my current lighting.
So here comes all my dumb questions.
#1. :How tall should I grow my seedlings before I switch to 12/12.?
#2. :Should I top?
I am assuming not because I figured I want a single large top flower between my cfl's, as opposed to a mess of branches everywhere needing tying down to control for burning or lack of light.
#3. :When it is time to flower:
Should I replace the 6400k for 2700k bulbs?
or
Should I keep the 6400k's and add more reflectors and 2700k bulbs.
or
Should I supplement with red LED?
I realize a HPS would be ideal for less lighting maintenance, adjustments, etc.
But like I said I do not think my plants will like the heat from a HPS, and I am not about to renovate my house to vent, etc..
I have learned a alot around here from you guys, and would love some input before I spend more $.
I am a first time grower.
Smoke alot for my pain, and hope it is cheaper to grow myself.
I am growing in an area where I believe will be a heat issue during the summer months. Upstairs crawlspace (southside) that is approx. 5' high x 7' wide, the length of the house.
So therefore I choose to grow with cfl's.
Here is my current lighting setup:
I currently have a 250w cfl on a horizontal reflector.
And a 200w cfl on a horizontal reflector.
I hung the reflectors so the bulbs are facing each other.
I then used 2 adjustable clamp lamps (socket rated for 150w).
Removed the clamp lamps round reflector and attached them between the horizontal reflectors on each side.
The clamp lamps are clamped to both horizontal reflectors butt-ends.
Holding them togther.
Almost like 1 hood instead of 2
On each adjustable clamp lamp I have 3 Y-adaptors, 2x42w and 2x26w.
The 42w are placed on the outside, parallel to reflectors edge, and the 26w are facing in towards the center of the 2 reflectors.
These reflectors are not exactly the same shape, 1 is 18" and the other is 24" but it works for me............................now.
Abit of trial and error with the adjustable clamp lamps.
Had to strengthen them so they would hold the weight and not fall on my plants.
Poor guys
I have:
250w = 16000 lumens
200w = 14250
4x42w= 11400
4x27w= 6400
----------------
718w= 48050 lumens
All These bulbs are 6400k or 6500k.
Here is me screwin around to show you a basic blueprint of my bulb placements under the 2 reflectors
X = my larger plant placements in 6" pots , they are approx. 7" tall
Also have a few smaller seedlings in there in 3.5" pots not shown incase I killed my originals, LOL.
These are all from bagseed, no clones.
24h light.
--------------------------------|-------------------------------
[ [ 42w ] | [ 42w ] ]
[ | ]
[ X X 26w | 26w X X ]
[ | ]
[ [---200w---] X [---250w---] ]
[ | ]
[ X X 26w | 26w X X ]
[ | ]
[ [ 42w ] | [ 42w ] ]
--------------------------------|-------------------------------
24" reflector 18" reflector
Since there is not much light behind or around the socket and transformers, etc. I would consider this a 18" x 36" growing area.
----------------------------------------------
Ok
Now you now my current lighting.
So here comes all my dumb questions.
#1. :How tall should I grow my seedlings before I switch to 12/12.?
#2. :Should I top?
I am assuming not because I figured I want a single large top flower between my cfl's, as opposed to a mess of branches everywhere needing tying down to control for burning or lack of light.
#3. :When it is time to flower:
Should I replace the 6400k for 2700k bulbs?
or
Should I keep the 6400k's and add more reflectors and 2700k bulbs.
or
Should I supplement with red LED?
I realize a HPS would be ideal for less lighting maintenance, adjustments, etc.
But like I said I do not think my plants will like the heat from a HPS, and I am not about to renovate my house to vent, etc..
I have learned a alot around here from you guys, and would love some input before I spend more $.