cfl's+mylar=ok?

[basspirate]

Hey folks, time for one of my bi-weekly questions. I should seriously start a "basspirate's annoying questions" thread, but how would anyone know just what was up at any given moment?

My two 18 gal rubbermaid tubs have a 6 inch fan in the bottom blowing on my two LSTed girls and a big conair fan thing (from like the 80s) exhausting out the top. The conair is cool because its marketed as an air cleaner and even has a carbon diskette slot thingy, which has long since lost its usefulness.

However, temps in the cab seem ok (in my pretty cool basement), the plants are definitely telling me they are happy...no other fire hazards such as bulbs touching each other, jerry-rigged wiring or the like.

Today I bought an emergency/space blanket to try to add some reflectivity and squeeze every bit of light I can outta this baby. Currently I am running 4x23w soft white bulbs and 1x42w soft white. The bulbs get hot, kinda even a little ouch hot to the touch, but it doesnt burn my skin or anything...none of the bulbs are touching the blanket.

Does this sound like a potential fire hazard? What if the blanket fell down onto the bulbs? Is it going to go up in a flash after sitting on one of these lamps for a couple hours? It seems like a lot of people use this, so I am guessing not, but I figured a little input could help.

I also had a bad situation with my earlier top exhaust fan; a pc fan that I rigged a 12v adapter to. I was three floors up one day when I smelled a funny smell, went to the basement and saw a cloud of smoke. No flame, luckily. Let's say I am not technically/building/engineering inclined. I just kinda got my one freebie and don't want any repeats.

P.S. Bonus round; I have one 23w soft white and one 23w cool white over some seedlings at the moment (some f13xsdog, looking forward to this one!) I read in my Jorge Cervantes Bible that more red light causes more male plants. Do you think a mixed spectrum is ok for these seedlings/soon to be vegging plants? I'm trying to save for a 250w switchable HPS/MH and don't wanna spend any more loot on the rubbertubbers.

As always, I give you my sincerest thanks and soon I will have some of my own budporn to share on here for once!!

Cheers!!!

 

[durka_durka420]

#1 its fine to use with any lighting #2 just make sure the mylar is fastened down really good and it shouldnt come down like use a staple gun or some spray adhesive (always read label for temp ranges the glue can withstand).....as far as spectrum making more males i think thats false in my mind it would seem that the plants would be one sex from the start....

 

[xeasyx]

the plants are either male or female its nothing to do with light what sex you get its to do with luck unless you buy femanized seeds cheers EASY

 

[basspirate]

Excellent words, friends. Thanks for the heads up. I went to check on things after a good 3.75 hours and things seemed cool as usual in the cab, so I think I am in the clear.

I didn't want to create a little ticking time bomb in the basement. =)

Thanks for the responses!!

 

[growfr]

Bass,
Just to put your mind at easy, cut off a corner of the mylar, go outside a safe distance from your house and see if you can light it on fire with a lighter, blow torch or whatever is handy.
Dressing up in asbestos overalls is optional.