ok i have decided to built a grow box it's 30" h x 24" w x 12 " d.. so about 2 square foot grow space.. so i am wanting to figure out the best way to light this area, and what i will need.. wanting to use cfl in my box at least 6.500 k for veg.. and 2,700 k for flowering.. just need to figure out how many cfl i will need .. so confused about the watt's and lumen's thing so would really like any help .. thanks
i would do somthing like 3 -26w cfls per plant, for flowering that is. (assuming their going to be no taller than 16 inches at harvest.) Start with one bulb for seedlings and add as needed. You will see by the illumination on the leaves, and by shadows. If you see shadows around the edges of the plant you would need more light. You cant have too much light so long as you keep the temps under 85 degrees or so. More light means more bigger buds so dont think by adding extra lights it would be a waste because its not.
i have heard that you need 30 watts per square foot (minum) 50 watts per square foot (optimal) so really not sure on this ... and i also heard that you need 5,000 lumen's per square foot (minum) 7,000 lumen's per square foot (optimal) so what cfl would be best for 2 square foot if these are correct ? i would need 60 to 100 watt's if the watt measurement is right for 2 square foot and 10,000 to 14,000 lumen's for 2 square foot it that is correct.. my box is 30 " height x 24" wide x 12 " deep .. so just trying to figure out the right amount of cfl bulb's and watt's i would need to pull off this for the growth stage and then the flowering stage..
Nope. The rule is different depending on what kind of light. For CFLs you want 100 actual watts minimum per plant. A bulb can be counted twice if it is close enough to two different plants. Get yourself at least six of the 23 actual watt (labeled 100 "equivalent" watt) CFLs, that will do for 2 plants in that space. You will want the bulbs to be no more than 1-2 inches away from the plant, the light intensity from CFLs drops off to very little beyond that distance.
yeah that's was what i was thinking but been reading to much lol.. trying to get the right set up the first time .. i been reading the cannabis grow bible second edition but they don't go into any detail on the cfl bulb's but they did on the hps lights but there talking massive grow's though not little one's.. guess i need to work on designing a light fixture to hold at least 6 - 23 cfl or 4 of the higher watt ones equivanent to 100 watt's.. then the next topic will be choosing the right intake and exaust fan's... thanks for the info ..
be sure to get some side lighting, even if you have a small plant and lst its always good to have side lighting
yeah i was thinking about doing a lst or scrog type grow .. pretty much taking my time in designing, my area not into to much of a rush on this project.. wanting to make sure it is right, and well set up for the long haul .. i also have a pc grow box i am working on as well for a friend so been looking those up as well.. thanks for the advice..
I would get a 45watt or 65watt above each plant, and then 2 26's on the sides...that is just how i am doing it and it woorks well..make sure to put white or reflective material all around the plants..
yeah well i decided to keep my size, but changing the design on it.. so using my prototype as a storage cabinet just have to put the shelf's in it and paint them.. i want something more stealth like and the way i built the prototype the light's and fan's wouldn't work out well so went back to the drawing board on this one but when i get it done should have a good blue print for a production model since they seem to be a ideal money maker.. the prototype pc grow box is still in the planning stage's though might get started on it this weekend maybe if i get bored.. thank's
check out my grow. the dimensions are similar to what your thinking about. just skim through it and check out the pictures, i used pvc to make a rack of sockets to hold light bulbs and it works great
ok update on my project i have 2- 4" 115 vac, 60 hz, 2100 rpm, 65 cfm airflow fans, installed and just finished a prototype 5 light bar just need to go through and redo a few things for safety.. going to built light trap's soon.. and then mylar the box up and run afew test on airflow and tempatures.. hope everyone is doing great with there box's and thanks for the info...
i hear ya i would post pictures of my built but i still haven't figured this out how to do that on here.. lucky to find my own thread to reply.. lmao.. but thanks for the advice ..
ok got my box pretty much done just have to mylar the back wall and redo the lighting system a few safety issues i want to take care of .. .. but have notice that my humidity is at 20% and that's with tempatures reaching 95 degree's was testing my limit's on tempature where good to 110 in there just a safety check lol.... so how do you get the humidity to go up and what are the best ranges for plant growth..
Ideally you want 50% humidity and 77-81 degrees for vegetative plant growth. for flowering you want the humidity to go down to around 20%. 95 is wayyyy too hot
yeah i have a issue with heat level's now.. so going to have to change my whole fan set up for something with more flow or just scrap the whole ideal and built something bigger where i can uses bigger fan's.. thanks