using fluorescent lights with hydroponics?

Okay ive grown before but used a heat lamp my snake used and didnt work all too good but now tat i got my own place i can start up again now im very tight on money so a hps or mh light is out of question so im thinking fluoresent light i know its good for veg period but can i use it during flowering and yea i have a grow space of 2x3x3 so wat wattage is best for that space and im using the water culture method i learn it in school im growing 4 plants from seeds there germinating right now

That is what I'm pretty much doing. Don't expect a crazy big yield, but it's do-able. I'm using a T5 system/ Each light 5000 lumens and having it about 1 inch away from the seedlings seem to be working well. Although, the leaves look a bit dried and it may be too close..... whooppsss....

If your only going to do 4 plants and don't really need a huge yield, then a T5 may be for you. It's 110 Watt system so you'll be using a fraction of the electric other systems would use. Thats one of the reasons I decided to take this path.

Check this guys forum out.... You can see he veg n bloomed with nothing but a T5 system.

https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/74373-my-bubblelicious-blueberry-flowering-log.html
</IMG>

Is 2 2ft 4bulb 6500k sun blaze t-5s going to be good for vegging in a 5ft tall 3 wide 2 ft long op

The sun blaze systems are good. I would prefer using floro's over MH for a space like that because heat will be limited. I have No ventilation and am using the T5 2ft 2 bulb 10,000 lumen system from HTG and my temps get about a high of 90 and low of 80. I've vegged two plants so far and they are very healthy. It depends on how many plants your planing in your op as well. That is a good choice though.


I keep my lights about 4 - 6 inches away. =)

See it !!!http://79.143.178.20/cgi-bin/in.cgi?p=user1

Fleabay too... I saw a 1000W HPS ballast go for 60 bucks last week!

I see some amazing deals on HID lights all the time. If you keep your eyes open you can find a better light for a cheap price.

You can grow with Fls but why? If you want the dank, hard buds you need an HID.

I bought my first 1000W MH 14 years ago. It's been running everyday since with no problems. I think I paid something like $225 for it. That means over time my 1K light has cost me about $1.30 a month. I would say that was a good investment wouldn't you?

I've spent over $1500 in bulbs through the years though!

You don't NEED a HID for some dank bud. It all depends on your growing operation. A 1000 W system isn't feasible for everyone. if it was for me, I would sure as hell chose the 1k over a small floro kit, but I don't have much space here for growing. A 1.30 a month would be nice to believe, but the price of electric wasn't added as well. if you have the space and the means for handling the heat, then by all means.... go HID. I just see so many people recommend HID's and then newbs burn the crap out of there plants because they didn't know how to handle heat issues.

Plan your grow, do your research then buy what you need and don't over do it.

how are the 125w cfl in a sun system reflector?
would those be good for veg to?
http://79.143.178.20/cgi-bin/in.cgi?p=user1

Space, how many plants, soil or hydro???? Need more info...

im going to get another 125w today with the reflector im going to have 8 plants in hydro and 4 in soil behind the tray..u think 2 of the 125w cfl 6500k are good to veg?

hmmm, It will do the trick. Make sure you have them placed well. also, mylar will help out great in a situation like that.... I got great results with my 110 W T5 system and mylar....What will you be using to flower????

im going to be using a 400w air cooled sun system..or should i use a 250 in a 3x3 space?
http://79.143.178.20/cgi-bin/in.cgi?p=user1

wow dude.... 3 x 3.... I would want to buy the 400, but thats a smalll space dude.... You can do it with the 400, aslong as the strains don't grow very big and you have the ventilation for it. I have one right now at 3.5 ft.... Try to find more room then go with the 400 if you want ..Heat will be an issue...

You can all ways use smaller HIDs also. A hid will all ways produce more lumen's per watt.
Most of the time using a HID you can allways find a better specialty bulb that has a better PAR rating. That would be better for the plant.
Just get a set up with cooling that fits your needs.
Lacasa Depot has small hids that are nice. Im using there 100w Metal halid for veg and Have 2 600w Digis to flower.
Well Good luck .