Hi everyone ,just looking for some quick advice please... As my space is limited ,(mini box 35x35x60 cm high) ,I was thinking to use a single CFL (125w or 250w) ,and place it horizontally ,at the top. In the past ,I have succesfully used 3 or 4 individual CFL ,at 40w or 26w .......they were hanging down ,each bulb had its own wire.I already grew 2 Betty Boo's ,one per grow. The thing is ,due to the lack of height ,I always had to move the bulbs around ,as the plant grew. Now I want a single bulb ,at the top ,horizontally.The thing is that those 125w or 250 w are longer than my tent sides ,which are 35 cm. In diagonal ,I have about 50 cm ,but I cannot use a reflector ,they are too big ,so I just want to hang the bulb.I can easily support the socket ,but I also need to support the bulb somehow at the other end. Can I safely loop some gardening wire through the glass ends ,in the U-shaped places where the tubes are bending?Is there any risk in that? Also ,ishould I rather use the 125w or the 250w version ,given that I have such a small space?
You should always hang CFLs horizontally. Much more light comes out of the sides of the bulb than the bottom due to the thickness of the glass.. Dont forget to use a good reflective material on your ceiling as well to help get even more light to the plant. Dont have anything touching the glass of the bulb though. This will cause it to burn out very quickly. Instead, secure the bulb socket to your hangar, then add a heavy counterweight to the other side. Doesnt need to be big or stick out far. just heavy enough to counter-balance the bulb. Shouldnt need much, lightbulbs dont weigh alot.
I have just purchased a Lumii Dutch barn reflector (pics in grow journal) and it came with a cfl kit that included a nifty little hanging clip to support the cfl on the tube end here is the link to the kit they also have a mini reflector that would fit your box
im trying to figure out a cheap way to hang some 26w cfl's for seedlings. but i cant seem to find a 3 socket spliter and a cord to hang the socket from. im not very electrically inclined i meen if i have to i can split a wire and wire it together correctly but id rather take the easy way out lol and hopefully find a socket attached to a plugable chord. any ideas guys. id say get a bigger tent or make one get a very larg card board box line it with mylar after cutting out holes for your light. cut long horizontal cuts in the bottom for air flow and pop a fan in their. my box from my xxxl sunsystems hood worked great for awhile and i was using a t5 inside of it lol..