Terrarium Lamp. Yes or No? PLEASE HELP!!!!

Hello there.

I'm new to the site and a first time grower preparing my closet box.
The dimensions are 18"wide, 24" deep, and apprx 62" Tall.
It is constructed of Cardboard box and Duct Tape. The Interior is Lined with Duct Tape and Milar for reflection.

My question is on Lighting. Could I use a 250 Watt Terrarium lamp available from Pet Smart and come up with quality results? I plan on growing 2 plants inside.

I found a way to easily rig the hood to rise and fall as the plants grow larger if need be.
Also, from what I read on a hood box in the store, the light would require no ballast. The hood was a regular round hood white lining and a chord set to go right into a 120v U.S. Electrical Wall Socket and could be used with a bulb of up to 250 Watts. I forgot what type of bulb it used

What does all this mean? Can this hood pack house proper lighting for growing?

surf88 said:

I forgot what type of bulb it used
Can this hood pack house proper lighting for growing?

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can't tell without knowing the type of bulb and color temperature. I'm skeptical.

I had a feeling it was a long shot asking without knowing the bulb. I'm almost certain its CFL bulbs though. Either that or HPS.
I've been looking at some many things I've been getting things mixed up. There for sure 250Watt though.

Would either of those need a Ballast?

surf88 said:

Would either of those need a Ballast?

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some have them built right into the bulb base.

Ok. I wasn't sure. i'll have to check that tomorrow then. CFL Def don't need a ballast though right?

surf88 said:

Ok. I wasn't sure. i'll have to check that tomorrow then. CFL Def don't need a ballast though right?

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most don't, some manufacturers have a separate one so that your not throwing one away when the bulb part has lost it's output.

Throw that stupid liszard light out the door and buy a 400watt hid. Your buds will triply in size and no more smoking pop corn buds...Trust the people.

What about 2 105Watt CFLs? I've found a good price for 2 105 Watt CFLs Full Spectrum Daylight 6500K.

I'll be growing 2 plants in my box.

If I use those 105 watt CFLs, will they work better? or should I get a 250 Watt CFL?
I'm sticking with CFL so I don't need a seperate ballast. I can't afford it and I'm growing for myself anyway.

CFLs are great man. They work just fine, theres an entire section here dedicated to CFL growers, you should check it out. If you cant afford an HID, then CFLs are your best bet. They sell 300w CFLs, and even higher power than that if you look on the net man. They have 200 TRUE watt CFLs that dont need a ballast. They cost a little more, but not as much as a HID would, and theyd work out great. They come in all spectrums man.

IF your gonna use a smaller wattage CFL, buy as many of them as you can afford. Buy Daylight and Sunlight CFLs. When i was growin with um my last grow, i was using 3 150w equivalent bulbs, both blue and red/orange, and then i had 6 65 watt equivalents, plus a 4' flourescent fixture with plant n aquarium bulbs hooked up. Theyll work just fine, even though it wont be the yield that you would get from an HID, the final product is still pretty damn respectable in size n quality.

good luck with your grow dude

-K1.

Awesome. Thanks for the info.