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 TheMantis
Convivialist
Registered: 05/23/08
Posts: 97
Loc: Bay Area, California
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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 CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? 
#44508 - 05/31/08 10:42 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Which do you prefer? The CFL's seem to have a greater impact.
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erb
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 198
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: TheMantis]
#44553 - 05/31/08 11:20 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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i prefer fluorescents for clone and seedlings, they stretch the light over a larger area.
Cfl's are a little better for budding, with a higher light intensity.
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TheMantis
Convivialist
Registered: 05/23/08
Posts: 97
Loc: Bay Area, California
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: erb]
#44581 - 05/31/08 11:31 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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The CFL's seem perfect for seedlings but I'm still very new at this.
The plants are actually leaning towards the CFL lights. Plus I've noticed a small increase in growth-pace.
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TheMantis
Convivialist
Registered: 05/23/08
Posts: 97
Loc: Bay Area, California
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: TheMantis]
#44594 - 05/31/08 11:35 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Kudos on using the cd's to reflect light. 
Where did you come up with that idea. It seams so obvious now.
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Sirius
Saturn Ascends
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 13 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? (moved) [Re: TheMantis]
#44711 - 06/01/08 02:34 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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 This thread was moved from Indoor Soil Cultivation.
Reason:
More appropriate for the general forum as it is a topic not specifically related to soil.
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erb
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 198
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: TheMantis]
#45995 - 06/01/08 06:41 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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thanks Mantis!
The idea just kinda hit me one day.
maybe in a few years alot of people will be doing this!
yay!
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Ganoderma
Registered: 06/11/08
Posts: 28
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: erb]
#61114 - 06/19/08 09:56 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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what kind of CFL do you use for flowering? watt/lumen/colour?
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Siekostoner
Registered: 05/20/08
Posts: 555
Last seen: 13 years, 3 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Ganoderma]
#61182 - 06/19/08 11:12 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'm using a 150 watt CFL bulb for my single plant, and it seems to love it. It's not stretching the least bit, and has actually become much more bushy than I expected... I don't have the time or money to invest in HPS lighting or anything like that. I'm trying to keep it small and compact, and it's working very well.
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Annom
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 316
Loc: Europe
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: TheMantis]
#61191 - 06/19/08 11:19 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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CFLs are just small fluorescent tubes. The only difference it the size.
If you have one small plant, CFLs work better because the light is more concentrated compared to the same power fluorescent tube.
If you have the complete enclosed grow area covered with plants/leaves, I would prefer fluorescent tubes because they provide a homogeneous lightning and temperature.
I've always seen better results with HPS/HID though.
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Sirius
Saturn Ascends
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 13 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Ganoderma]
#62180 - 06/20/08 05:35 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Ganoderma said:
what kind of CFL do you use for flowering? watt/lumen/colour?
You'll want soft white CFL's for flowering, which is the color temperature 2700k. From what I've read, you'll minimally look for 2000 lumens per square foot, so look for at least that. The bulb should list the lumens produced, but I think around 24 watts is where you'd begin looking (for around 2000 lumens per bulb). Most of the light comes off the sides, so use them in a horizontal position (unless you are putting them vertically between plants). They aren't anywhere near as intense as HID lighting would be, so the light won't penetrate too deep. You'd want to have them at least four inches away, but not too close or they'll burn the plant (I think fluorescent tubes can touch without burning). If you have any shadows, you don't have enough light in that area.
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Annom
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 316
Loc: Europe
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Sirius]
#62199 - 06/20/08 06:53 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
(I think fluorescent tubes can touch without burning)
No, see bottom left and right plants in the next pic:
That's because the leaves touched the tubes. The temperature and conductance is too high and the leaves dry out ("burn") completely.
The rest you said was correct though 
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 mel_lonta_tauda
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 9,407
Loc: the sun
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Annom]
#62203 - 06/20/08 07:27 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Annom said:
Quote:
(I think fluorescent tubes can touch without burning)
No, see bottom left and right plants in the next pic:
That's because the leaves touched the tubes. The temperature and conductance is too high and the leaves dry out ("burn") completely.
The rest you said was correct though
nice treeeez 
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Sirius
Saturn Ascends
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 13 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Annom]
#62207 - 06/20/08 07:31 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yeah, its just what I read somewhere while I was reminding myself which color temperature the cool white was. 
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Ganoderma
Registered: 06/11/08
Posts: 28
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Sirius]
#62220 - 06/20/08 08:18 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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awesome thanks.
most CFL bulbs i see are aroun 51-60 L/w, but i use 70L/W here. so 2000/70 is 29 watts, roughly. that seems pretty little. the CFL bulbs i usually buy are 31 watts, so i guess they are pretty good if i use say 3 per square foot?
65 watt cfl bulbs here are 65L/W, 4225 Lumens total. If i used say 6 of those fr only 5 clones, think this would be adequate? using reflecting walls in a box.
your help is greatly appreciated, more than i can express through a keyboard!
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Sirius
Saturn Ascends
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 13 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Ganoderma]
#62222 - 06/20/08 08:38 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Ganoderma said:
most CFL bulbs i see are aroun 51-60 L/w, but i use 70L/W here. so 2000/70 is 29 watts, roughly. that seems pretty little. the CFL bulbs i usually buy are 31 watts, so i guess they are pretty good if i use say 3 per square foot?
Do you mean three bulbs for every square foot, or three bulbs, one for each square foot? 
Quote:
65 watt cfl bulbs here are 65L/W, 4225 Lumens total. If i used say 6 of those fr only 5 clones, think this would be adequate? using reflecting walls in a box.
It sounds like it should be great.
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Ganoderma
Registered: 06/11/08
Posts: 28
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Sirius]
#62327 - 06/20/08 12:07 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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3 bulbs in 1 square foot.
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Eleutherios
Registered: 07/05/08
Posts: 76
Last seen: 13 years, 17 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: TheMantis]
#73252 - 07/05/08 11:11 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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I have a friend of a friend who was looking to do a small grow. They were planning to use a 105watt compact flouro for veg with a few bonsai mothers. They were going to get a good lining to go around the perimeter of the chamber. Would this be adequate?
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coda
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Eleutherios]
#73323 - 07/06/08 12:23 AM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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depends on how big of an area you're trying to light.
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MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.
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Eleutherios
Registered: 07/05/08
Posts: 76
Last seen: 13 years, 17 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: coda]
#73654 - 07/06/08 01:29 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Compact fri. I have to go to work in a min so I don't have time to find my tape measure. Butabout 1 1/2 ft x 1 1/2 ft. Just personal you know.
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captain.koons
Failed Botanist
Registered: 06/25/08
Posts: 6,170
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Eleutherios]
#73668 - 07/06/08 01:47 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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im going with 125/200w cfl's for cloning and vegging
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TROLLS NEED LOVE TOO!
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coda
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: captain.koons]
#73679 - 07/06/08 02:06 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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1.5^2 = 2.25 sq ft
105 Watts / 2.25 sq ft = 46.6 watts/sq ft
you'll be fine.
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MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.
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Eleutherios
Registered: 07/05/08
Posts: 76
Last seen: 13 years, 17 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: coda]
#74284 - 07/06/08 10:31 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Thanks man. I guess I should have just applied the formula. This is just my first indoor attempt. People talk so much shit about fluoros and I just want things to work out. I reread all the grow books at our local bookstore for the gazillionth time. Its within my grasp though now. Just reading about it made me start making weird little giddy noises. Anyways I love the new site. All we need now is an ongoing joke like the old cat piss/5-MEOW one to make thing complete. So if I had used my old Shroomery name would my ratings have transfered?
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coda
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Eleutherios]
#74313 - 07/06/08 10:44 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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no, just the name. CFL's work, but they do suck compared to other lighting. Keeping moms and breeding under them are just fine though.
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MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.
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Ganoderma
Registered: 06/11/08
Posts: 28
Last seen: 15 years, 5 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: coda]
#114753 - 08/26/08 08:09 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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is there any reason why one could not add tubes to the sides of a box to try and get light in to the lower areas of the plant? or will this make the plants grow all funky?
i was thinking main lighting on top and 24" tubs around the sides say half way up.
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coda
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Ganoderma]
#114776 - 08/26/08 09:42 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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nope, that's fine, many people implement side lighting to give the lower budsites more light.
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MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.
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coda
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,736
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: coda]
#114777 - 08/26/08 09:43 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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although, i should point out, the more lights you add the more heat you have to deal with. Just keep that in mind, you should be ok, but it has the potential to raise your cab temps.
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MFDoom666: sobriety kills my buzz every time.
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sen
Registered: 08/30/08
Posts: 8
Last seen: 15 years, 6 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: coda]
#116236 - 08/30/08 10:48 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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I was looking over this post and if youre still paying attention to it, here's something that i noticed. You said you want to use a bunch of CFLs 65watters and u want to use 6 of them. 65 x 6 = 390 watts. The you want to add florescent tubes to the sides? Two standard 4 foot flourescent bulbs adds another 80 watts to you equation. so 390 + 160 (assuming you want to put lights on both sides) is 570 watts. So my question to you is, why not invest in a 400w or 600w HID instead... it just makes more sense, not to mention will reduce clutter and the safety hazard of plugging all your lights into the imagined power bars....
Hope this helps.
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Sirius
Saturn Ascends
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 13 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: sen]
#116341 - 08/31/08 03:19 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Not everyone has a situation in which they can grow using HID. Heat is a real concern for him, I believe, and without rigging up an air conditioner, there isn't enough room left temperature wise to try to accommodate the extra heat that the HID will produce.
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sen
Registered: 08/30/08
Posts: 8
Last seen: 15 years, 6 months
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: Sirius]
#117215 - 09/02/08 11:53 AM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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Heating issues can be taken care of by using an air cooled reflective hood. Assuming money isn't a problem. If avoiding the cost of PURCHASING a HID is what you're trying to avoid, then of course other means are nesessary, however the amount you save in the long run might not be worth it. It will cost you only a few dollars more per month to run your 600w HID and you'll probably have better results from an HID than with a combined wattage of 570 watts of fluorescent lighting. Though that's pure speculation, and I would love to compare your setup (570 watts) with a 600 watt HPS flower setup and see how the final crops differ.
Not to mention how cluttered your space would seem with vertical fluro tubes and a host of CFLs dangling down the middle of your grow space. The image in my mind isn't pretty, but I'll be the first to admit that looks aren't everything. Function over form!
Consequently, I'm building a fluorescent flowering chamber for an experiment I wish to conduct where I'll be utilizing 4-foot fluorescent tubes to light up approximately 72 16-Oz beer cups.
If it goes well I will turn it into a tek for you all.
My thread is here if you want to check it out.
Keep up the good work though, I hope everything turns out well for you whichever path you pursue.
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Sirius
Saturn Ascends
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 1,540
Loc: The Milky Way
Last seen: 8 years, 13 days
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Re: CFL's or Fluorescent Grow tubes? [Re: sen]
#117216 - 09/02/08 12:00 PM (15 years, 7 months ago) |
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I agree with you that HID lighting is the way to go, running a 600 watt HPS with a cool-tube myself, but I definitely have to say that running an air-cooled reflector is not going to resolve heating issues entirely, at least in my experience. I personally think its always best to keep your light air-cooled, and it certainly has a good effect at pulling heat away from the bulb, but it really isn't going to accomplish much if the ambient temperatures are too high to begin with. Air conditioning is the only real answer if your ambient temperatures are high enough that there is no margin to allow for the heat that an air-cooled lamp will still produce.
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