DIY Light for first 3 weeks

[monkee]

Hi all ! New member here.

Just started my first ever grow ( day 13 from breaking soil ) Fastbuds Girl scout cookies.
I'm limited in space and have a 40x40x120 cm grow tent with a TGL STAR 60 ( Cree CXB 3070 3500k)

Since I'm gonna use the tent for drying as well I'm thinking of setting up something so I can start the new grow about 2-3 weeks before I harvest this grow.

I might get a mini tent 80 cm high from a friend so I was thinking of using that for the initial weeks and then move to my TGL STAR 60 tent.

I was thinking of maybe build something with a Cree CXB 3070 3500k but dim it to 25 w ? since I have the light 50-60 cm from plant now ( as recommended by the maker at this stage of grow) and she really likes it.
I was thinking running it at 55w is gonna be to much with the height restrictions.

I'm just having a hard time finding a suitable driver that will be able to drive it at around 25 w.
I'm also thinking of using a Alpine Artic 11 fan heatsink combo or something simular.
Does anyone have any suggestions ?

I do have a setup with 2x54w T5HO 6500k that I use for my microgreens that I could use but then Its not very stealthy
I also have a couple 2x18w T8 6500k laying collecting dust.

I'm open to suggestions on everything as long as it don't cost a fortune or put out to much heat.
Basically I just need something for the first 3 weeks

 

[Tommy Bahama]

The best light I've found for the seedling stage is 23 watt 6500K CFL bulbs. They really thrive under this light.
The bonus is it's really cheap to do, whether on a single or multiple bulb basis.

 

[Tommy Bahama]

For just a single plant, a simple clamp light will work great.

And, here's an example of something I originally made for my space bucket, which works great for up to 6 seedlings. I can add or remove bulbs to vary the intensity, depending on the number of plants.

 

[monkee]

Thanks m8.
How far from seedling would u hang it ?

 

[Animatey]

Thanks m8.
How far from seedling would u hang it ?

I would invest in a 20$ light meter, and make sure it measures about 20k lux right above the seedlings head with cfl.

I also use a space bucket for the first week or two.

However if I had an 80cm tent, I would order am HLG 65 off Amazon. They are dimmable and generally really good lights. 100$ for a light you could later use to veg a 2x2 tent.

Here are some pics of my space bucket setup if you decide to go that route:

 

[monkee]

I would invest in a 20$ light meter, and make sure it measures about 20k lux right above the seedlings head with cfl.

Thanks m8.
Yea I got one.. ( used to make my living as a photographer )

 

[KsjAuto]

First
I'm using the same size tent 40x40x120 x 2
I also have the Small 40x40x80

The small tent is God for the first 30ish days Hydro.
In soil maybe 45 days with hst.

A dimmable driver could be,, mean well lcm-60
I use mine with cxa2530x2 pr driver


The driver is dimmable via dipswitches from 500-1400 mah and again via potmeter e.t.c
42v to 90v

Perfect for a couple of 3070's
2x36v at 500mah dimmed to 70% roughly 25w if the math is correct..

Ahh at 500 ma the voltage is about 32ish..
Anyhoo the driver works [emoji51]

Stay green