i was stressing myself out about it. I'm reading just so many options I should use and second guessing myself lol.
I know exactly the feeling.Thank you so much!
good luck!
Hi OP, did you already buy the T5 array? If not LED is a great choice, better light penetration, higher yields, etc. These are very decent Chinese units. 2ea in your tent would do nicely. You would need an exhaust fan through.
actually some growers on youtube have gotten higher yield (GPW) with CFLs. it is strain dependent but spectral balance is important with more blue for vegging and more red for flowering.T5s are more effiecient than CFLs with outputs between 83 and 100 lumens per watt.the OPs lights will work fine in that space for learning how to grow.and learning advance training techniques.for a space that small options are limited and cheap LEDs are not the best choice. DIY is beyond many peoples abilities.
PAR is just a measurement of radiation that the plant can use. Lumens are for humans, PAR is for plants. CFL and T5 fluorescents will grow weed, no doubt about it. Use enough of them and you can grow a lot of weed. Initial cost is relatively low and they allow you to get a feel for what the process is like. They are lower wattage , and while not terribly efficient when compared to COB LEDs (into the 60th percentile) and even HID (in the 30s) the lower wattage and subsequent lower temperatures coupled with ability to be placed close to your plants make them a great beginner's option. This is even more true in a height limited scenario.
I have 3x3 and closet and I'm running a 1000watt king LED with 9 plants
don't waste your money on a mars hydro. mine lost 3 diodes in the first month.if you want a cheap LED to play with their are better units available.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J17UGUQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=AW7UKM9ED6GM&coliid=I3MXXVWRLB343O would be a much better choice.I have tried LEDS and COBs but I keep coming back to my T5s.with the strains I grow they give me better yield and quality.for a 2ft by 2 ft closet grow an inexpensive HPS may be an option as well https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KMW7RYM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=AW7UKM9ED6GM&coliid=I16MXY1M60S5MV&psc=1. you do not need to spend a lot of money to grow high quality weed.as a MMJ patient I prefer high CBD strains so YMMV. good luck and have fun. this is a very enjoyable and rewarding hobbyWelcome!
CFLs are a bear to work with. It' a pain to rig them and it can get costly to build a nice rig. That said, I still use them
I just setup a 2x2 for fun.. As suggested I'm running a 150w HPS and four 26watt CFL's for sidelighting. It's a fair amount of light for that space. It will grow weed just fine although on the low side of recommended lumens per sqft . That's 24,400 lumens over 4 sqft or 6000 lumens per foot. Not bad not great. 8000 would be better.
Another option would be a 8 bulb 2ft t5. This would kick ass in that space with 4bloom bulbs and 4 veg bulbs you could veg and flower with same light.. Just have to make sure the fixture will fit in tent.
Another option (and I'm sure I'm about to get kicked in the nuts) is a Mars 300 LED. They're around 70 bucks right now. I'm tempted to get one, but do your research on that one. Mixed reviews.
The 150w HPS plus CFL would seem like the best option, all things considered. I've grown great plants under a 150.
Current 2x2 setup minus the 150 that I haven't hung yet. (If you want instructions to build the cfl light and reflector just let me know.)
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I grew this under a 150w hps. Not too shabby.
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targeted spectrum is a myth. plants use the whole spectrum.been growing with T5s for a few years in a 2ft by 4ft closet grow using a mix of 6500k and roseate bulbs http://www.ebay.com/itm/54W-54-Watts-T5-Bulbs-4-ft-48-High-Output-Fluorescent-Grow-Lamps-Bloom-Veg-/261229975287?var=&hash=item0 and am very happy with the results. I replace my bulbs every 2 years and my light meter show a 5% lumen depreciation at that point.
I already miss the op too. Lol
