What size Watt Cfl for 21 Site Aero Cloner

I have been searching for a while now and I can't find a exact answer. I want this to go smooth as possible I got my Superthrive and Bleach ready to go for the cloner.. I know strong light is not wanted so what watt CFL is correct for a 21 Site Aero Cloner? This is the cloner I just purchased: http://www.ebay.com/itm/151041484510?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I don't use this cloner, however I do clone in seed compost and the lamp I use is a single fluorescent 18watt (600mm or 2ft) straight tube with a colour temperature of 3500 and a lumen output of 1350 lumens.

I normally get roots between five to seven days depending on the size of cutting I take, I found thicker stems root quicker, I don't know if this helps and I know it's not a cfl but it gives you an idea that clones don't need much light to root.

Thanks for the info. I might just get a 23W CFL and hang it at 12 inches above.

Baxters said:

I don't use this cloner, however I do clone in seed compost and the lamp I use is a single fluorescent 18watt (600mm or 2ft) straight tube with a colour temperature of 3500 and a lumen output of 1350 lumens.

I normally get roots between five to seven days depending on the size of cutting I take, I found thicker stems root quicker, I don't know if this helps and I know it's not a cfl but it gives you an idea that clones don't need much light to root.

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sounds good, I have my lamp about 8 to 10 inches from my clones, and I take 20 clones at a time

12 inches is to high ........

u get normal light lvl between 2 and half to 4 inches
from 4 and half to 8 inches it is low light +
from 8 and half up to 16 inches it is low light -

i base this off my own metter here in the box set up i have 3 cfls 6500k 23/26 watt 1800 lumens per ...no reflector

Id get 2, 42w on an angle splitter. Or a bar split. Imo.. nice lumens and good warmth

Is that a Clone or Veg tent?

justugh said:

12 inches is to high ........

u get normal light lvl between 2 and half to 4 inches
from 4 and half to 8 inches it is low light +
from 8 and half up to 16 inches it is low light -

i base this off my own metter here in the box set up i have 3 cfls 6500k 23/26 watt 1800 lumens per ...no reflector

Click to expand...

i use one 26 watt bulb per 12 clones in chamber sometimes 15
clones dont need much light

Baxters said:

sounds good, I have my lamp about 8 to 10 inches from my clones, and I take 20 clones at a time

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try 6 to 4 inchs
thats how i do clones and everyone them roots

the pic is of a hidden box

i use it as the controll plant for all my tweaking ideas so i can measure the standard results to what i messed with to know if has value

the bulbs are CFL tho i used one of those 4 in 1 soil checker
the plant strain i am working with is auto .....one of the exp was if mix spec light makes them happier in growth....so far it does not it makes it little shorter and bushier

justugh said:

12 inches is to high ........

u get normal light lvl between 2 and half to 4 inches
from 4 and half to 8 inches it is low light +
from 8 and half up to 16 inches it is low light -

i base this off my own metter here in the box set up i have 3 cfls 6500k 23/26 watt 1800 lumens per ...no reflector

Click to expand...

I do apologize as my estimation of distance was way off; I have just measured the distance from the top of my clones to the bottom of the fluorescent tube which is only five and a half inches (14 centimeters)

I do use a reflector between the tube and the batten which serves the purpose of increasing light and decreasing thermal radiation from the ballast, I have found that when cloning temperature is the key, keep it at 26/27 degrees Celsius or 78/80 degrees Fahrenheit for both light and dark periods, I use to have trouble with clones until I had stabilized the day/night temperature swing

The trick I found was to keep the clones within the stated temperature parameters in order to prevent the damping off mold setting in. The simple fix for this was to wire a room thermostat in series with the supply to the heated propagator allowing for a better thermal regulation

The other key factor for fast cloning is to take large cuttings from soft stem (green) and not from woody parts of the plant, you can also add a tiny amount of phosphorus to your medium or IBA (Indole 3 Butyric Acid)

The all in one soil meters I found to be completely useless and not worth bothering with, I have now stopped using them.

Regarding amount of light, I believe that the quantity of light is directly proportional to the transpiration rate of the plant and plants under a high humidity like mine require less light than perhaps plants cloning without a dome or cover.

One other factor to consider is light duration; I believe the optimum on/off ratio is 18/6 for maximum root growth, you might want to test this but I remember reading a scientific paper years ago now about this being tested and 18/6 came out best.

I like your homebuild by the way.