New Grower Extra lighting to supplement CFL?

[Carbon]

Hi guys, Im looking to set up a small grow box around 26"W 30"H 18"D with a 125w dual spectrum CFL. Firstly im not sure if this would be enough light/space to grow 2 Cream Caramel from sweet seeds? If so could i improve my crop by supplementing the CFL with a cheap led panel or something else?

This will be my first grow as you have probably guessed by now so sorry for all the questions

 

[The Squid]

Hello Carbon and welcome to the AFN. Glad to have you.

Generally it's about 75-100 watts per plant but I have seen more done with less so it just depends. I think you're off to a great start with 150 watts in that space. You could do two decent size plants. I would suggest get that up and running with your ventilation and all and see how temps and overall workings treat you. If it proves to give good leeway as far as temps then you could add a few more cfl or a small UFO LED panel. Blackstar makes great LEDs.

Good luck man and let us know if you need anything at all. Check out the links down in my signature and read up. TON of great info to soak up.

 

[Carbon]

Thanks Squid I should have it up and running fairly soon so very interested to see what i can do in the small space.
Ventilation wise im thinking of having 2 pcs fans drawing air through a home made carbon filter going into 4" ducting which then goes into a handy bit of 6 inch ducting that happens to go through the room from the downstairs bathroom Ill also have one 4 or 6 inch fan for induction depending on temps ect.

 

[milkman]

Hey carbon good to see you on afn. I think your space and set up will be big enough to grow a couple of bigger plants or several smaller strains.
Try one or two first and see what happens. Plenty of experience and help on hand so lets get growing. You may need to LST in a smaller space or learn to tuck fan leaves.

 

[The Squid]

Thanks Squid I should have it up and running fairly soon so very interested to see what i can do in the small space.
Ventilation wise im thinking of having 2 pcs fans drawing air through a home made carbon filter going into 4" ducting which then goes into a handy bit of 6 inch ducting that happens to go through the room from the downstairs bathroom Ill also have one 4 or 6 inch fan for induction depending on temps ect.

Wait do what? Sorry, I got lost in that explanation. You won't need carbon filtration coming in, just going out for exhaust. Generally rule of thumb is more exhaust than intake. If you have sufficient exhaust(air being pulled out) then it will create negative pressure that will pull air in passively. SO that's air in and out.

Then you need a small circulation fan on the inside just to move the air around inside the box. Hope this helps.

 

[riz la green]

125w cfl's dont give off much heat so plants can grow right up to about an inch away from them, you could possibly fit 2 x 125w cfl's in there or even better a 250w HPS in a cooltube.

You'll also be looking at either scrog or LST for growing style to make sure they don't get too tall.

 

[Carbon]

Thanks for the warm welcome all!

Wait do what? Sorry, I got lost in that explanation. You won't need carbon filtration coming in, just going out for exhaust. Generally rule of thumb is more exhaust than intake. If you have sufficient exhaust(air being pulled out) then it will create negative pressure that will pull air in passively. SO that's air in and out.

Then you need a small circulation fan on the inside just to move the air around inside the box. Hope this helps.

Sorry that was rather confusing, ill only be running a carbon filter on the exit but it will be using two pcs fans as i feel one wont be enough to draw the air through the filtering. I was planning on also running one intake fan but if the filter draws enough air through as you said i may just place a fan inside the grow for air flow

Hey carbon good to see you on afn. I think your space and set up will be big enough to grow a couple of bigger plants or several smaller strains.
Try one or two first and see what happens. Plenty of experience and help on hand so lets get growing. You may need to LST in a smaller space or learn to tuck fan leaves.

I'm finding it really hard to settle on a strain dew to the size issue. Im aware there is way of controlling the growth but wasn't sure if autos deal with the stress well?
So far i'm pretty set on doing one of the delicious seeds northernlight blue autoflowering but im not set on a second strain yet and im not sure if its a good idea to do two strains?

125w cfl's dont give off much heat so plants can grow right up to about an inch away from them, you could possibly fit 2 x 125w cfl's in there or even better a 250w HPS in a cooltube.

You'll also be looking at either scrog or LST for growing style to make sure they don't get too tall.

Thats good to know, ive been a little worried about burning the plants in such a small space, i have considered a hps but given the small space a running costs i think im going to stick to CFL for now atleast.
As for the growing style i think im going to have to do some research!

 

[Darwin]

I highly recommend using lst. Not only does it keep plants short but it will seriously up your yield without really doing much. I also have the 125 w CFCs and I also have a 4tube t5 panel light I have hung sideways along the back of the tent. It helps get light into the plant for the side and lower buds. Just make sure to turn the plant every day. They stay really cool also so it shouldn't increase heat much. I have a 2x4x5 tent and I have 4 125w CFCs and the t5 panel and one fan. I run 75 to 80f always.

 

[Nelson]

I started off with only CFL with a 4X 8 ft. florescents, I had good results with them. I added a couple LED panels and got improved performance.

We have an old guy who says the key to growing is doing the best with what you have. He says all light is good if you are not burning your plants with it. Relax get a few grows under your belt and don't be afraid to eperiment there is hardly any total failures.

I have adopted his relaxed style of growing. Fine jerk of lighting with people who say exact light spectrum is the way to go are maybe right or maybe just blowing their horn. Nutrients with complex additives maybe work better but also can be just horn blowing.

Just keep the pH right and try different nutrients till you find what you like will teach you a lot. Relax and enjoy your grows and enjoy your pot.

Hi guys, Im looking to set up a small grow box around 26"W 30"H 18"D with a 125w dual spectrum CFL. Firstly im not sure if this would be enough light/space to grow 2 Cream Caramel from sweet seeds? If so could i improve my crop by supplementing the CFL with a cheap led panel or something else?

This will be my first grow as you have probably guessed by now so sorry for all the questions