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Too much light? Can I add CFL with HID?

Discussion in 'Grow Room Design/Setup' started by stevusmaximus, Jan 2, 2022.

  1. #1 stevusmaximus, Jan 2, 2022
    I think I stuffed up...My grow-room is small...2 x 3 x 5 ft. (w x l x h) and I think I ordered way too powerful lights. They are 600W MH and HPS, I didn't realize they were so strong and hot...Question: Can I just use CFL for say 4 hours and then blast with HID(MH) for 6 hours and then CFL for another 4 hours? This is 14 hours of light to use during veg. Then switch to say 3 hours CFL x 6 hours HPS x 3hours CFL for flowering. I'm growing NL and WW in a grow tent with 4' in-line carbon fan exhaust. Main question is can CFL be used alternatively with HID to get the light cycle correct?
     
  2. #2 Vee, Jan 2, 2022
    Cannabis is a Light Monster so feed her ....light them all up
    considering what age the plant are.
    but keep a check on the temps at top most leaf height

    good luck

    ps Id get a bigger grow space 4x4ft is minimal imo
     
  3. #3 stevusmaximus, Jan 3, 2022
    Thanks Vostok, I'm limited to a small grow in my closet (2 x 3 x 5 ft.) and am worried the 600W lights are going to fry my babies if left running for14+ hours (as a newb indoor grower I didn't realize how intense these lights were). Plants are not autos so to keep them in veg can I use CFL lights alternating with HID lights? In hindsight I would've found this forum before ordering everything and asked a lot of questions, definitely would've gone for lower wattage bulbs or LED for such a small space.
     
  4. #4 marks.home.grown, Jan 3, 2022
    If you can dim the HPS, turn it down to 400w, more light will come out where the socket is so you want the opposite end touching the wall, (if you have wing reflectors) the sides of the bulbs will light up 18" on each side(width) so a 400w hps is perfect for a 3ft x 2ft
     
  5. #5 420JoeBlow, Jan 3, 2022
    600W is to much for that space. I dont think you will be able to control temps? How hot was it after running a few hours?

    In my opinion, get a 315CMH. Perfect light for that space.
     
  6. #6 marks.home.grown, Jan 3, 2022
    If the 600w can be turned down to 400w, do you think it's worth paying out for a 315CMH?
     
  7. #7 stevusmaximus, Jan 3, 2022
  8. #8 stevusmaximus, Jan 3, 2022
    Thanks joe I'll research that 315CMH reference
     
  9. #9 420JoeBlow, Jan 3, 2022
    MH bulbs dont like running under their rated wattage. HPS bulbs are a little better when it comes to that but the efficiency drops. If you want to run it at 400, buy a 400w HPS bulb. But at that point if i was investing in a bulb, i would just buy a CMH that will last much longer and run much more efficiently. CMH bulbs run almost as efficient as the best LEDs on the market. Can you return the equipment you got?

    Theres a lot of info out there, honestly you might be better with LED though.

    https://www.dimluxlighting.com/knowledge/blog/cmh-vs-led-the-difference-and-its-big/
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. #10 420JoeBlow, Jan 3, 2022
    Honestly i would probably get a Viparspectra xs2000 (200$) or two xs1000s (80$ each on amazon).
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. #11 marks.home.grown, Jan 3, 2022
    I brought 2 600w dimmable ballast/adjust-a-wing, I ran it at 400w in the summer and 600w in the winter, at the time, the 315w CMH was around £300 each and the HPS was £80 each, I was happy with the results but just wonder what the difference would have been in yield and bud quality?
    Going forwards, going to stick with my DIY LEDs but thanks Joe
     
  12. #12 stevusmaximus, Jan 3, 2022
    Ok thanks again I'll check out CMH bulbs, I can't return set-up so will have to make do, maybe a shade cloth for my babies if the light intensity and heat starts to curl the leaves?
     
  13. #13 marks.home.grown, Jan 3, 2022
    If you have to use the 600w in the 3ft x 2ft, you can but you need a lot of airflows and you will need to keep the hood 2ft above the canopy in the flower and 3ft above the plants in veg because the wall are going to reflect all the light back on the plants, going to be intense.
     
  14. #14 stevusmaximus, Jan 5, 2022
    Yeah sweet I think this is going to work; I've got a couple of CFL's dangling down so I'll run them for 4 hours then blast with HID for 6 then and another 4 with CFL, that's 14hrs so should mimic the summer solstice and give the best result for minimum energy. Photo is with HID off , I didn't realize how bright and strong they are, not sure if my phone could even capture an image when it's on...seriously bright and warm...I might get in there and get a tan!
     

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  15. #15 420JoeBlow, Jan 5, 2022
    18/6 is what everyone runs and its well proven. Running those cfl's an extra 4 hours wont cost shit.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  16. #16 stevusmaximus, Jan 5, 2022
    Will do Joe thanks, I didn't realize weed could handle so much light for so long.
     
  17. #17 420JoeBlow, Jan 6, 2022
    The CFL's are what, 23w at most?
     
  18. #18 stevusmaximus, Jan 7, 2022
    No Joe CFLs are low 8 and 15 Watt, just thinking of using them to keep plants in veg as I don't think they could handle 18 hrs. of HID. Maybe I should ditch the CFL and get LED bulbs to supplement the HID?
     
  19. #19 marks.home.grown, Jan 7, 2022
    Works for me, check my link
     
  20. #20 420JoeBlow, Jan 8, 2022
    No im saying the cfl's are fine, just increase the amount of time they run. 6 hours cfl, 6 hours HID, 6 hours cfl. And in flower; 3,6,3.
     

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