Thoughts on a minor mod of my Solar Storm?

NanoGadget

NanoGadget

Well-Known Member
I already posted this in another section, and I know reposting is frowned upon, but I got no love. So here it is....

Running my trusty old CLW Solar Storm 440 for a single plant run in a 3x3x6. I've had the thing forever and decided to give it another run. It's always treated me well (gasp! How could that be? Silly burple lights!) But it's always annoyed me that I had those UV bulbs sitting there doing nothing until late flower. You all think I'd would be worth it to stick some regular fluorescent bulbs in the bastard for some suppliments white light? And if so.... spectrum recommendation?
 
NanoGadget

NanoGadget

Well-Known Member
I usually wait until week 3 or 4 of flower to flip on the UV. Something I read once about stressing the plants too much in early flower.. could be BS. But mainly I'm wondering about throwing some regular fluorescents in there to suppliment my spectrum and boost total lumens/par during vegetative. Was just wondering what all the lighting gurus thought would be the best color temperature.
 
Nugachino

Nugachino

Well-Known Member
Between 3000k and 3500k for flower. And 4000k to 5000k maybe a little higher for vegetation.

I've got a single 20w 5000k cfl on my seedlings right now.

*wish I could add more- but, I'm limited on space where I've got them. And had to add a fan. Since its summer here.
 
NanoGadget

NanoGadget

Well-Known Member
Nugachino said:
Between 3000k and 3500k for flower. And 4000k to 5000k maybe a little higher for vegetation.

I've got a single 20w 5000k cfl on my seedlings right now.

*wish I could add more- but, I'm limited on space where I've got them. And had to add a fan. Since its summer here.
Click to expand...
I'm familiar with the basic range for flower and veg, but burple lights tend to hit those specific areas with big spikes. I was hoping somebody with a really clear understanding of the par curve would have some ideas on filling in some of what's missing with the flouros.
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
NanoGadget said:
I usually wait until week 3 or 4 of flower to flip on the UV. Something I read once about stressing the plants too much in early flower.. could be BS. But mainly I'm wondering about throwing some regular fluorescents in there to suppliment my spectrum and boost total lumens/par during vegetative. Was just wondering what all the lighting gurus thought would be the best color temperature.
Click to expand...
during veg, add more blues (6500K).
 
Greengenes707

Greengenes707

Well-Known Member
NanoGadget said:
I already posted this in another section, and I know reposting is frowned upon, but I got no love. So here it is....

Running my trusty old CLW Solar Storm 440 for a single plant run in a 3x3x6. I've had the thing forever and decided to give it another run. It's always treated me well (gasp! How could that be? Silly burple lights!) But it's always annoyed me that I had those UV bulbs sitting there doing nothing until late flower. You all think I'd would be worth it to stick some regular fluorescent bulbs in the bastard for some suppliments white light? And if so.... spectrum recommendation?
Click to expand...
Yes, You should be able to run a standard T5 bulb in the "bulb wings". The ballast requirements are the same for bulbs so it should not be an issue as long as the physical dimensions match.
 
Stephenj37826

Stephenj37826

Well-Known Member
NanoGadget said:
I already posted this in another section, and I know reposting is frowned upon, but I got no love. So here it is....

Running my trusty old CLW Solar Storm 440 for a single plant run in a 3x3x6. I've had the thing forever and decided to give it another run. It's always treated me well (gasp! How could that be? Silly burple lights!) But it's always annoyed me that I had those UV bulbs sitting there doing nothing until late flower. You all think I'd would be worth it to stick some regular fluorescent bulbs in the bastard for some suppliments white light? And if so.... spectrum recommendation?
Click to expand...
I did that with mine. I used warm white myself. Oh and I had the SS400
 
Last edited:
CobKits

CobKits

Well-Known Member
adding 30W of fluorescent isnt going to do a whole lot, does anybody make an efficient 18" led retro bulb?

the solarstorms are great. any of the 5W panels from 2014 on up with the "220/440/880" nomenclature is within 10-15% of the efficiency of their current 3W osram line

only issue i ever had is the 880s had too much firepower- they really do want to be 24+ inches above.

i ditched the 880 for 4 220s which cover better, but you lose the handy switchable veg/bloom spectrum
 
Nugachino

Nugachino

Well-Known Member
You could possibly find a higher voltage led globe and try to jerry rig a cob to it. That is if it supplies stable mA range. Or can drive it sufficiently.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top