growman944's Hydro Project

[growman944]

Right now I have a single 150 HPS bulb running a foot over two 7" tall plants. Is this enough? I also have a 175 MH bulb but it doesn't seem to fire up when I plug it in...it just stays pretty dark. Why is that, by the way?? I've heard the two are not interchangeable, and you have to either get a special ballast or bulb to work.

Also, I was thinking about adding CFL lights to aide with growing. What would be the reccomended number and wattage for me to look into? Links would help a TON!!

Keep in mind my available space is 2'X2'X4' and the height of the light is adjustable overhead. Is this enough space?


I know I just asked a few questions but I figured that was better than making 4 separate posts. Thank you for all your help, the fact that you all encourage questions instead of just calling new guys "newbies with stupid questions" like in other forums is such a releif!! Thanks again!

Here are some pics of the plants as just some little guys...nute burn obviously. Sorry I didnt know what I was doing! Look at the old setup too! I've learned a lot thats for sure...






Sorry little guy!!^^

[fatbob166]

Whats up growman,
That 150 should be enough for that small of a space, but you should try to get it closer than a foot above the plants, maybe 6 inches or so. Is the inside of your grow area painted white? With a small light like that you don't want any to go to waste.
As for the MH........sometimes when you plug in the light it can take 5minutes or so to warm up. If its dull when you turn it on, make sure its screwed in all the way, and you give it a few to come on.
And last but not least the CFLs. You could throw some in there for some side lighting, but if you shove more light into that space heat may become an issue. Make sure you have plenty of air circulation.
Hope all of this helps some. Happy Growing!

PS for links on lighting check the stickies on the top of the page.

[TechnoMage]

Originally Posted by growman944

Keep in mind my available space is 2'X2'X5' and the height of the light is adjustable overhead. Is this enough space?

I have a similar space, a little wider but not as much depth or height. For side lighting I just picked up some 4' shoplights that could handle T8 bulbs and mounted them vertically. The fixtures were under $10.00. They don't seem to put out that much heat so if you have decent ventilation you should be fine.

[growman944]

The walls are covered in dull aluminum foil...soon to be mylar. Also, I have an intake and exhaust fan that push more than enough air to keep ambient temps at 70F-75F. I'll look into tube cfl's....but was looking at something more like this:

400 Watt MH/HPS Alternative - 105 Watt CFL Grow Light

or this:

30W COMPACT FLUORESCENT CFL 6500K GROW LIGHT

which would you all get?

I updated my setup!! It looks and functions so much better now. I'm also turning this into a sort-of grow journal.

[growman944]

Here are some pics of my setup:







^^shows some old growth from when I had nute toxicity



^^shows the intake and exhaust fans



^^root growth under the net pots....yay!!

[TechnoMage]

Originally Posted by growman944

400 Watt MH/HPS Alternative - 105 Watt CFL Grow Light

or this:

30W COMPACT FLUORESCENT CFL 6500K GROW LIGHT

which would you all get?

For veg I would stick with the 6500K bulbs. That first one is 5000K which is a little out of range for me. I use a mix of 6500K and 3000K bulbs. For veg the ratio is 3-1 and I'll reverse it when I go to flower.

[chimera]

Originally Posted by TechnoMage

For veg I would stick with the 6500K bulbs. That first one is 5000K which is a little out of range for me. I use a mix of 6500K and 3000K bulbs. For veg the ratio is 3-1 and I'll reverse it when I go to flower.

I'd use neither of those two lights the first is overrated, I used 1 so I should know, and the second is overpriced, I agree with the floro tubes get 2 and put them in oppsite corners. You look like you've got some nute problems, are you using a TDS meter? Sorry dumb Q I see it now that I look back, so what is your TDS level and pH.

Also, is that an aeroponic, drip or DWC system?

[growman944]

when you say 3-1 ratio, you mean for example a 75watt 6500k and a 25 watt 3000k? I've seen 4' 100watt T8 bulbs at wallyworld. Does that sound good, or maybe something on ebay would be better.

It sounds like you're reccomending two single tube enclosures, which would put one bulb in opposite corners. One bulb should be a higher wattage 6500k bulb, and one should be a smaller wattage 3000k bulb. Sounds good?

The ph is 6.1 and needs to be lowered. I have 18L of water, and 18ml each of Grow, Micro, and bloom, making about 550 ppm. I don't have a TDS meter though. The system is DWC and the wisks are polyethylene felt and travel throughout the cocogrow to help keep it moist.

[TechnoMage]

Originally Posted by growman944

when you say 3-1 ratio, you mean for example a 75watt 6500k and a 25 watt 3000k? I've seen 4' 100watt T8 bulbs at wallyworld. Does that sound good, or maybe something on ebay would be better.

It sounds like you're reccomending two single tube enclosures, which would put one bulb in opposite corners. One bulb should be a higher wattage 6500k bulb, and one should be a smaller wattage 3000k bulb. Sounds good?

Actually I meant number of bulbs. I have four 2 bulb T8 shoplights that are 4' long. Those are mounted vertically in the corners. Six of the bulbs are 6500K and two are 3000K. I also have a three bulb canopy that uses compact T5's. Two of the bulbs are 6500K and one is 3000K.

The T8's are 32 watts and the compact T5's are 55 watts.

[growman944]

Originally Posted by TechnoMage

Actually I meant number of bulbs. I have four 2 bulb T8 shoplights that are 4' long. Those are mounted vertically in the corners. Six of the bulbs are 6500K and two are 3000K. I also have a three bulb canopy that uses compact T5's. Two of the bulbs are 6500K and one is 3000K.

The T8's are 32 watts and the compact T5's are 55 watts.

That almost sounds like too much for only a 2X2X4 space. I think I wouldn't need more than two double bulb fixtures. Then I can do 3 6500k and 1 3000k. How about that? That would be a 3-1 ratio.

Edit: I accidentally typed 2 6500K bulbs instead of 3

[TechnoMage]

Originally Posted by growman944

That almost sounds like too much for only a 2X2X5 space. I think I wouldn't need more than two double bulb fixtures. Then I can do 2 6500k and 1 3000k. How about that?

Sounds good to me but if you have two double bulb fixtures you have four bulbs to play with. I would run 3 6500K and 1 3000K in that case.

[growman944]

Where did you find 4' fixtures for $10? Ebay certaintly doesn't have them.

What about these lights:

T-8 Med Bi Pin 48" 32W CCT:6500K CRI:98

T-8 Med Bi Pin 48" 32W CCT:3000K CRI:85

Edit: Ahh I thought you meant that the bulbs came with! Okay then how do these links look?

[TechnoMage]

The 4' fixtures were just 2 bulb T8 shoplights from Home Depot. Bulbs are extra.

[growman944]

Since my main light is a HPS, would getting three 6500K and one 3000K be the best, or vice versa....since I don't plan on switching any of the lights out for veg and flowering phases? Also...what do you think about the bulbs linked to above???

[growman944]

Alright I think I finally found my lighting setup. Fortunately Walmart sells 3000k 24" bulbs. I found some 6500K 24" bulbs as well. So if I keep the 150 watt HPS as a canopy light, and use one 3000k and 3 6400k bulbs, would I be alright?

The 4 flourescent bulbs would be on the wall running vertically in line with the plants. Two bulbs on each side. Or would it be better to get two 3000k bulbs and two 6500k bulbs?

The 6500K bulbs are $16 for two, shipping included. Is that a decent price?

Oh yes, Here's some update pics from the 23'rd and some leaf pics. I'm waiting for the TDS meter in the mail!




Getting Bigger!!^^^