Ok. so i plan on having a reasonably small grow, maybe even just lowryder to start off with because of limited grow space. I have found a lighting system, using a 400watt Growlux Dual spectrum bulb. Basicly what i need to know is would this be adequate to my growing needs and, would i be able to grow my seedlings using it from a distance to avoid burning them? The reason i ask is because most grows seem to use specialised spectrum HPS bulbs for older plants and fluoros to grow seedlings. I have reasonable knowledge of growing indoor, but it is far from the best so i need your help. I look forward to your replies, thanks blades Edit: Sorry, forgot one thing, instead of buying a light controller, could i just switch the light off from the plug socket? If a controller is a necessity, would a cheap standard grasslin segmental timer do the job? I read somewhere that a heavier duty timer may be needed for a 400watt HPS. D.
In most cases the words small space and HID lighting simply do not go together. How much room are you working ? Controller ? Are you talking about a ballast ? If you are, you are going to need this. The bulb and socket will not just plug into wall. Yes you can use an HPS from start to finish. Its a bit of an overkill for seedlings. You will also have to worry keeping the light close enough to the plants to avoid stretching. A the same time keep the light cool enough not to fry the seedlings. I have used a 400 HPS from seed to finish my last two runs. Edit as for timers, just look for one rated for a window AC.
Thanks for the reply . No i wasnt talking about a ballast, thats coming in the package with the light. I meant a timer so i can keep it on 18/6 or 20/4 or something... I think im going to run it 24 hours a day start to finish though so it increases yeild. then again most sites say ideal light regimes 20/4 so... plus the 4 hour gap will allow the bulb/ room to cool down.. So is a timer completely necessary or could it just be inplugged without damaging the light? i figure it could but its better safe than sorry right! As for space i have around 100cm wide, 50cm depth, and 100cm tall to work with. I figure that with enough ventilation it should be alright. D.
Just buy the timer you are going to need it. Sure you can be present and unplug and re-plug the light twice a day. I wouldnt advise it, given how inexpensive a timer is. I think you are pushing that space with a 400w but with the proper ventilation you could make it work. I would consider an enclosed hood. You are going to need fans as well. Look at it this way. Your pot is going to need at least 7 inches and the light and reflector will use 10 inches. That leaves you with about 23-24 inches assuming you are growing right into the light which is rarely seen IMO. I do grow right into the enclosed reflector but I am feeding it FREEZING cold air. If your hood is not enclosed that 23-24 inches of grow space will QUICKLY dissolve. I just don't know if you have enough space or are preared for the enourmous amount of heat. Best of luck to you.
Thanks for your help it is much apreciated, and i am taking the info in even it seems like im not... Its a chest of drawers that im going to modify to grow in so i could raise the hieght by say another 30 cm. Im growing lowryder so that helps with the burning because they shouldnt be too tall anyway but i would like to grow others later on. Modification seems like a good idea and shouldnt be too time consuming. Ive got all day tomorra to do it anyways. Cheers, D.
A 400watt bulb doesn't really put out THAT much heat though. I've got my plants about a foot from the bulb with no ventilation and only a small fan blowing at the canopy.
The 400w light is great, but it might be a little too much for your space without a bunch of pain-in-the-ass modifications. Another option is using CFLs. You can certainly grow a decent group of Lowryders in that size space using high watt bulbs, but without the heat problems. You can suspend or hang a surge protector bar across the top of your box and plug in 6-8 CFLs using Y splitters as was mentioned in another response. Or you could use clip-on shop lights and position them for optimum light dispersal inside the space. Add an inexpensive timer set on 18/6 or 20/4 and you are in business.
I would say a timer is very necessary...even if you're home all the time if you miss it by 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there...it adds up. I had a friend that went that route and it seriously messed with his yield. Get a timer, and don't skimp and get one of the $4 ones. $20 for a digital timer with 3 prongs is your best bet. I had a cheaper one go out on me, and you want the third prong for grounding.
you have a picture of a big daddy as your avatar... sweet dude. you play for pc or 360 or ps3? me, pc.
All three but I typically only will admit 360. To the OP post some pictures of your chest, with the additional 30 cm you mentioned HPS is looking more reasonable. You could also consider locating the ballast outside of the chest to help with temps. Additionally having the light on its own circuit is EASY in setups like yours.
Aight... ill get a picture of it up asap... should be up in a few hours hopefully... Thanks for the replies everyone... O and i was planning on having the ballast outside the box anyway. And for the person talking about CFL's, one singular 400watt HPS is probably cheaper in England than buying a load of CFL's, they dont seem to be as readily available as in the states. Kinda shitty i know. D. p.s. 360 ftw!!!
Ok, pictures a bit late but up as promised. I think im going to try growing lowryder without making the box higher, as i have loads of seeds already anyway so it doesnt really matter if they die. If they do, then ill modify the box further. We'll see how it goes. D.
I am interested I think with some dedication you can make it work. What light and ballast are you thinking ? Enclosed hood ? How many plants ? The color is AMAZING I haven't seen green furniture since the 70's.
haha cheers http://www.greenshorticulture.co.uk/details.asp?productid=802&subcat=189&cat=182 that light... And im not sure on the plants... as many as i can fit in that space... And yea ano aha its been in my shed for years.. i dont even know where it came from.. i thnk it was actually the local pub an they were chuckin it out so we took it to put all our gardening stuff in.. i cant wait for this to kick off!! I may even start looking for an old wardrobe somewhere so i can get a bigger grow on the grow with proper plants.. D.
Ok one more question guys. So, how visable do you guys think it is to grow two small indicas in this grow box? If i only vegged them till they were, say, 30cm tall then lst'd them across the box lengthways instead of in a circular fashion? If they grew too long along the length i could just train them back towards thier pot.. that sort of fashion to make the most of the space i have. Again, it might just be a fun little experiment if this grow box works out.. If it doesnt i may end up with a budbox or a wardrobe of some sort to grow in anyways... I dont want to be stuck with auto dwarf strains forever aha Cheers, D.