Indoor Looking for some advice...

[graevans]

Hey everybody, just started my second op (same time as last year, harvest just in time for school to get out ). My last plant was beautiful! but it was done with only CFLs and I made a few mistakes along the way: lights were too far away to start, no nutes, miracle grow dirt...etc. I decided to do a little experimentation this time to see what I could see. I bought some much more powerful (red) halogen flood lamps and damn! does she love them! If i point it straight at her Ill leave for class and come back and all her leaves will be reaching for the light. Only problem is that it is very hot and Ive burned a leaf, as well as gotten some strange brownish spreading across some leaves (has me worried). Im getting highs into the 90's but at 'night' dropping down to 66. Im worried this is a lot of stress. Should I ditch the power for the safer CFL's? I turned the halogen so that is no longer pointing directly at her but it still heats up like a mother. I know that more watt/lumens = more plant but im struggling to control the conditions...any suggestions?

Grae

 

[Alwaysautos]

Hey mate. Halogen is not a great light for growing. The spectrum is far from ideal and as you already said, they run very hot. It sounds like you are stressing your plant, and your temps are too high. I would guess that your internode length is pretty long as well?

Swap out the halogen for your CFL´s and maybe add a few more in. Get them really close to the plant. This should drop your temps by itself. Ideally you should try and get your lower range temps up a bit too - too much of a temp swing can slow growth. Good luck mate!

 

[seraphim19]

What wattage are the cfl bulbs you are using?

I would recommend getting a new light to add to the cfls. That way you will be able to get the best out of the plant.

Can you get a new light? and if so what is your budget? you don't have to spend the earth but the more you spend the better the light.

 

[graevans]

I have two 5000k and two 2700 all aero-tech and all 25 watt. I just realized that they supposedly put out 1600 lumens each and the 90w halogen (2700k) only puts out 1900, soo im going to say forget the halogens. However I do have this Brinks Flood Light

thats supposed to put out 5700 lumens at 2900k, I was going to use for about 4-6 hours at a time once flowering started, along with the cfls. This fucker makes some heat so it would be outside of the enclosure and again only on for 'mid-day.' I should prolly add that this is a pretty ghetto set up that was built on a college student budget, but it does the job well.


*One other experiment Ive been meaning to try is putting worms in my soil. I have about 10 gallons of dirt, so they should have plenty of room and Ive done a fair amount of research and cant really find a reason they would do anything but help the plant

 

[Soylent Green]

Its always about the numbers and safety bro!

Better to have a bit less light but have good temperatures!
I wouldn't do the worms if I was you!
What are you going to do when she starts smelling, its a stealthy grow?
best of luck bro!:gthumb:

 

[wwwillie]

Hey and welcome!
the halogens always make me nervous, they get so darn hot and there is a risk of fire with unprotected bulbs. If it is really only 5700, that's just shy of three CFL. Not worth the grief and risk IMHO. A few extension cords, plug in sockets and CFLs will probably be a better and at least safer option. I used 12-14 23 watt CFL on my last grow
peace and happy growing.
:karma Cloud:

 

[graevans]

My last plant really didnt give off a lot of stink, but maybe it was just cause I was used to it. My last buds were kind of fluffy and I was hoping for more density this time and I feel like I already made the investment in lights. It'd suck for them to go to waste :dunno: also I dont really have the space for high quantity.

 

[seraphim19]

If I was you I would ditch the flood lights and get a high pressure sodium lamp. I started growing with a 70w hps and a couple of 30w 6400k cfl bulbs. I had great results wirh these lights considering the cost. I paid £20 for the hps and £10 for the 2 cfl bulbs. If you get a hps you will notice that it costs a lot less to run than a halogen one, and it runs a lot cooler. Just something for you to have a look at mate.

 

[graevans]

If I was you I would ditch the flood lights and get a high pressure sodium lamp. I started growing with a 70w hps and a couple of 30w 6400k cfl bulbs. I had great results wirh these lights considering the cost. I paid £20 for the hps and £10 for the 2 cfl bulbs. If you get a hps you will notice that it costs a lot less to run than a halogen one, and it runs a lot cooler. Just something for you to have a look at mate.

Where did you get the HPS? and did it need a ballast?

I got rid of the halogen (not the flood light, smaller one) and was doing only the CFL's about 2" away for a week and wasnt getting much. I switched in one halogen, moved it farther away (10") and added another input fan. Juliet (le plant) grew 4 inches in three days....I was ecstatic. However that was really stretch-y so moved it another three inches and its not so bad now. Im getting steady temps 70-80 F and lots of good growth.

However if there are any newbies reading this reading this, dont take this as advice to go buy halogens. They are a headache and resulted in multiple burned leaves. If you have a large, air-conditioned room, go for it, I'd like to see the results Otherwise fuck it.

I have been using some tie-downs and have a relatively even canopy. Ive noticed that the branches that are next to the fresh air grow EXPONENTIALLY faster than the rest of them...interesting fact.

Ill add some pictures soon.

 

[dazedandconfuzed]

Where did you get the HPS? and did it need a ballast?

I got rid of the halogen (not the flood light, smaller one) and was doing only the CFL's about 2" away for a week and wasnt getting much. I switched in one halogen, moved it farther away (10") and added another input fan. Juliet (le plant) grew 4 inches in three days....I was ecstatic. However that was really stretch-y so moved it another three inches and its not so bad now. Im getting steady temps 70-80 F and lots of good growth.

However if there are any newbies reading this reading this, dont take this as advice to go buy halogens. They are a headache and resulted in multiple burned leaves. If you have a large, air-conditioned room, go for it, I'd like to see the results Otherwise fuck it.

I have been using some tie-downs and have a relatively even canopy. Ive noticed that the branches that are next to the fresh air grow EXPONENTIALLY faster than the rest of them...interesting fact.

Ill add some pictures soon.

Hi there, I just saw this and wanted to say, I use a 300w Dual Spectrum CFL, this thing is awesome. Gives out something around 20,000 lumens. I have this in medium sized wardrobe, coated in mylar. I'd say my plants are growing extremely well. I only have 3, small(isn) plants but hey they love it. I believe air flow is very important, fresh air in, old air out. I added a small, 24w 1600 lumen, standard cfl to help out in flowering. My temps get no higher than 82 and 69 lights out.

Heres a pic, who ever says CLF grows are not worth it I disagree. I'm hoping for an ounce from the Mango Ryder alone. This thing is dense.