Grow Light Question

[enfect]

We set up a little grow operation using two 40-watt flourescent bulbs (not tubes). My brother said something about them being 9-watts but emitting 40-watts as some energy saver, and the box said something about sunlight...

Do you think these lights will suffice?

P.S. The grow room is connected to the garage and getting very cold. We tried insulation which has helped, but it's still chilly. Any ideas? We had a space heater run for a little bit, but the heat is definitely not getting trapped.

[Pinkfloyd]

From what i've know, flourescent is a shitty way to grow. That is very low wattage to. It would be good for starting, but your buds will be very noticablely homegrown. I also know that incandescents are just terrible. Doesn't sound like quite the operation, sorry. I really would recommend going do the route of metal halide. You're gunna mess around with so many different setups, but in the end high intensity discharge is how you gotta do it.

[Ollie]

That's not going to hack it, man, not by a long shot.

[the_chairman]

Temperature advice: Don't grow during the winter

[moosifer]

It is possible to have a successful CFL grow, but you will need WAAY more bulbs than you are using right now.


Equivalency :
CFL Bulb Standard Bulb
15w = 60w
20w = 75w
26w–29w = 100w
38w–42w = 150w
55w = 250w–300w

Start HERE (http://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=faq&cmd=article&id=25) to learn a bit about using CFls to grow

If you look at This (http://genet.gelighting.com/LightProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=RESULTPAGE&CHANNEL=Consumer&CATEGORY=Lamps_Compact+Fluorescent_Self-Ballasted_Spiral%C2%AE_T3&BREADCRUMP=Lamps_Compact+Fluorescent_Self-Ballasted_Spiral%C2%AE_T3) you'll see details about wattage and Lumen output for bulbs similar to what you've described. You'll see that a 10w CFL (equivalent to ~40 watt bulb) puts out less than 600 Lumens. I can't remember exact figures right now, but I believe you need 5000+ lumens PER PLANT to grow efficently (or sucessfully)

You can find two different kinds of CFLs also, cool blue, and warm white. One is more suited for the veg stage, while one is more suitable for flowering.


WHICH TYPE OF COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT TO CHOOSE

For anyone growing cannabis, it is pointless to buy a weak light. Given the option of 8w, 15w and 27w, you would be stupid not to buy the 27watt, as they are more or less the same price. Compare the lumen output of each of the bulbs, different 27w bulbs may have different lumen outputs (depending on the manufacturer) and as with everything, the more lumens the better. You will also be given 2 options, the screw method of fitting, or the bayonet method (push and turn). My preference is the bayonet fitting. Make sure that you choose the right one for your socket! Also, do not choose a regular compact fluoro. Pick the one with the energy saving feature (will be explained why later on in the document). Now, for vegetative growth you should choose the 'cool white' light. This is also acceptable for flowering, but a 'warm white' light will be better as it is stronger in the red end of the light spectrum which is more suitable for flowering.

I'd also like to add a general disclaimer. IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON GROWING CANNABIS IN YOUR PARENT'S HOME WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION, STOP NOW. THIS IS BOTH ILLEGAL AND IRRESPONSIBLE

[Srgray]

Yeah, if this is your parent's house and marijuana is being grown in it, and then the cops find out, your parent's will lose their house (I'm pretty sure).

[enfect]

Thanks for the advice guys, my brother setup the entire grow by himself without much research - and it looked good, but I had a feeling the lights wouldn't be enough. I'll let you know how the changes go.

[BasicallyASaint]

Get x2 as much warm CFL's as cool ones. I used two 42ish watt (After energy saver b/s) warms coupled with x2 22ish watt cool ones and that was doing pretty badass for one plant, no signs of streaching and it was getting a pretty decent size all things considering.

In a few weeks I'll really be able to try growing through, ya know, for serious. High pressure sodiums, ballasts, timers, in a bigass closet, the works. 8)