Going down from a 400w MH to Fluorescents- Help?

[Benny]

Hey all,

I need to change things to operate a smaller scale grow, I was wondering how many people have gotten good results from fluorescent grow lights. I am looking at a T5 4ft 8 lamp full spectrum fluorescent fixture, Would doing something like this ruin any chance of a large yeild in the end?

 

[namo420]

well,imo any decrease in light,will decrease your final weight,but ive seen nice nugs under t5's...actually i belive the one your looking at is a great option,but costs more money,and is much bigger than a 400W mh

 

[Guest]

Save yourself some money over a "horticultural fixture" and do this.Go to Lowes or HD and buy two 4 ft 4 lamp T-8 "lay ins",I have the Lithonias.Hang these fixtures side by side and you have an 8 lamp fixture that would cost 3 times as much at a hydro joint.Alternate daylight and warm white lamps for best results.You can veg plants nicely with this,I've never tried flowering with a flo so I dunno,but I do know "horty" flo fixtures from a hydro shop are a ripoff.

 

[Guest]

Hey Benny,

Well you're kinda asking for the impossible if ya read your question.... you want to reduce your grow to a 'smaller grow', but are asking if this will give you a 'smaller yield'.

Yes. A small grow = small yield.

Now from what I've seen (and I use a 400w), floro's almost seem to take up MORE space than just the 400w with a reflector. Talkin about the ones in fixtures of course, using small CFL bulbs is a diff story.

Keep the 400w... work out your 'issues' and enjoy the larger yields would be my vote.

 

[Delta9-THC]

I have seen plants budded under flouros (CFL's) for a while now
even with as little as say 120w of mixed spectrums ( for each plant ATLEAST )
this is where the space issue is .... but I would say get some t5's say 6-8 and have them lining the walls vertically in your smaller cupboard/space
but if you'd want to flower I'd say add in some extra "household" flourescents

THE MORE WATTAGE THE BETTER



Peace

 

[jrw]

This is Outdoor bagseeds under 250W (2x125W enviro-likes) compact floros. My second, not especially good grow.

When growing with floros the heat is so minimal, you wont get a more silent setup than that. I run a 125mm RVK fan on 30% with a filter and my temps are within proper ranges.

Im able to suply myself, but then again, I dont smoke much (a little, often ).

My impression is, although I have never grown with HPS, that it takes a little more patience to grow with floros. If you have that, go for it!

 

[Albert Hofmann]

my 8 bulb t-5 takes up about 2'x4'...it's huge. I love it for keeping my mothers rockin. It takes up the same amount of space as 2 400 hoods. And don't forget the bulbs are expensive

 

[namo420]

i never even thought about the bulbs^

i bet they are expensive.

 

[D Rock]

about $12.50 at a hydroponics store I know I bought 16 of them, 8 blue 6500k spectrum and 8 red 3000k spectrum. here is my grow using the T5 bulbs.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=65910