GrowLab 40 (GL40) lighting questions

[Hella THC]

Hey all

I'm in the process of designing my second grow space which will include a GL40 tent for vegging/clone/bonsai moms, and a GL60 tent for flowering. Here are the links to the tents...

GL40
-----------
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=GRGL040

GL60
-----------
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=GRGL060&eq=&Tp=

I want to run a 250w in the GL60 with a SS1 reflector, but I'm completely stumped on how people light the small little GL40s? They are only 1'4" square, which isn't very big, but it's big enough for my purposes. ANYTHING with a hood or reflector is out of the question... unless anyone knows any lighting systems that are NO LONGER than 16"...

But seriously, how the hell do people light these things? Just hang compact flouros in there? Seems silly to buy a tent only to have some ghetto rigged CFLs hanging from the top... I'd really like to avoid the hassle of needing to wire up a string of socket bases, or installing a bathroom vanity fixture... The whole purpose of going with a tent is to make it clean, easy, and efficient. Having to wire lights and ghetto rig everything is the opposite of those goals.

Even on the BGhydro site they suggest a "T5 fixture" for a lighting solution... $20 to the person who can even FIND a T5 system that would fit these dimensions...

Confused,

- Hella

 

[astroturf]

You could use 2 or even 3 foot long T5 Sunblaze strips (or similar T5 HO Flourescent tubes) and install them vertically by attaching them to the structural support tubes of the DR40 ( or GL40) micro tent. Putting a 2 foot strip in each corner would only cost 100-120 dollars and provide 8000 well distributed lumens (about the same light output as a 100 Watt Metal Halide, but better distributed). The spectrum of the strips is 6500K, perfect for Veg. Replacement lamps are available in other spectrums as well.

http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/t5-sun-blaze-strip-lights-c-321_563.html

There is even a hanger kit available for these strips which ties 2 of them together. By using kits, you could hang 2 lamps in each corner (16000 lumens of T5 HO). Mini strip reflectors are also available (they slide on from the back of the strip).

Obviously 2 lamps in each corner is going to cost considerably more and generate quite a bit of heat too. Even using 4 strips would generate a fair amount of heat (but probably not quite as much as a 100/150/175 watt MH or HPS lamp).

 

[Jnugg]

Hey all

I'm in the process of designing my second grow space which will include a GL40 tent for vegging/clone/bonsai moms, and a GL60 tent for flowering. Here are the links to the tents...

GL40
-----------
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=GRGL040

GL60
-----------
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=GRGL060&eq=&Tp=

I want to run a 250w in the GL60 with a SS1 reflector, but I'm completely stumped on how people light the small little GL40s? They are only 1'4" square, which isn't very big, but it's big enough for my purposes. ANYTHING with a hood or reflector is out of the question... unless anyone knows any lighting systems that are NO LONGER than 16"...

But seriously, how the hell do people light these things? Just hang compact flouros in there? Seems silly to buy a tent only to have some ghetto rigged CFLs hanging from the top... I'd really like to avoid the hassle of needing to wire up a string of socket bases, or installing a bathroom vanity fixture... The whole purpose of going with a tent is to make it clean, easy, and efficient. Having to wire lights and ghetto rig everything is the opposite of those goals.

Even on the BGhydro site they suggest a "T5 fixture" for a lighting solution... $20 to the person who can even FIND a T5 system that would fit these dimensions...

Confused,

- Hella

Actually the GL40 is almost 2' square (1.77' squared to be exact) not 1'4" sqaured.It measures 1'4" x 1/4" x 3'11".

A bunch of 1' T5 fluoros or some CFL's will get the job done.

 

[astroturf]

It would apear the choices really are whether you want to illuminate things from the top, or from the sides.

From the top, A 100 watt HPS or MH would be ideal, but I don't know of any MH/HPS hoods small enough to fit horizontally into the GL40 tent. You could probably hack a few inches from a grow wing, but would still need to swap out the mogul socket for a medium (unless you use a 150HPS/175MH which would probably be overkill for only 1.5 square feet). A bunch of CFL's would also do the trick, but doing so may look a bit more ghetto than side lighting using the T5 HO strips.

I think the bigger challenge here is how to ventilate such a small tent using an internally located charcoal filter and fan, but if such a tent is only used for vegging, then it may not be an issue.

 

[Hella THC]

I think the bigger challenge here is how to ventilate such a small tent using an internally located charcoal filter and fan, but if such a tent is only used for vegging, then it may not be an issue.

Yup, only for moms and veg. No need for a scrubber. The fan will be outside the tent.

Actually the GL40 is almost 2' square (1.77' squared to be exact) not 1'4" sqaured.It measures 1'4" x 1/4" x 3'11".

Heh, yes, you're right. My math terminology fails... I meant 1'4" square as in it's base is square, all sides equidistant and measuring 1'4"

Good suggestions guys. I found a CFL reflector that is exactly 16" long and 10" wide... it holds the screw in 125w CFLs. It should fit perfectly. I misplaced the link, but when I find it I'll let you know. I guess I owe myself 20 bucks. If that fails, I'll do the vertical T5 idea. Thanks!

 

[Jnugg]

You could do some CFL's hung vertically too,no need for reflectors.

 

[astroturf]

I guess I owe myself 20 bucks.

Hey, wait a minute there.

I found you a T5 solution and it fits the GL40.

Now you're paying yourself?

Just kidding. I hope the 125 watt CFL works out great. I think you are really going to like it. Don't forget to give us the link when you find it.

I snipped some info about the 125 watt CFL from here: http://www.maximumyield.com/article_sh_db.php?articleID=214&yearVar=2004&issueVar=May/June

About CFL’s:

CFL’s are the only singular lights currently available that can be specifically tailored to ideally match the PAR curve. The CFL uses a phosphor coating to convert its internal UV light into visible light spectrum. If the coating is altered, the light spectrum is directly altered. It is a relatively simple matter to “dial-in” the ideal PAR curve spectrum by applying the proper phosphor coatings. Additionally, unlike MH or HPS lights, multi-phosphor (properly designed) CFL’s emit a much broader and smoother spectral curve than the typically peaky narrow spectrum produced by commercially available HID lights.

I understand that some readers have a very strong dislike for CFL lighting technology, and from the way CFL’s have been marketed to the gardening community in the past, this is understandable. However, that being said, CFL’s are ideal for spectral supplementation (not replacement) to HPS lights. We have fielded a number of reports where gardeners were using 1,000 watt MH bulbs for vegetative growth. Based on the broader spectrum offered by the 6,400K CFL, they replaced the 1,000 watt MH until an equal level of vegetative growth was achieved over an equal period of time. In these independently run tests, it took three 125 watt 6,400K side-light blue CFL’s (375 watts combined draw) to replace one 1,000 watt MH. Although, we do not recommend CFL’s as direct replacements for HID lights, especially in the bloom stage, these informal tests do illustrate how much can be gained from a light source that has a broader and fuller spectrum than traditional HID lighting.

 

[Hella THC]

Haha, I tossed some rep your way instead of giving you the cash, astroturf

I'll keep you all filled in, fear not. Thanks for the suggestions. If you come across anything else that might fit my needs, feel free to let me know.

Thanks,

- Hella

 

[bobwiley]

Yup, only for moms and veg. No need for a scrubber. The fan will be outside the tent.



Heh, yes, you're right. My math terminology fails... I meant 1'4" square as in it's base is square, all sides equidistant and measuring 1'4"

Good suggestions guys. I found a CFL reflector that is exactly 16" long and 10" wide... it holds the screw in 125w CFLs. It should fit perfectly. I misplaced the link, but when I find it I'll let you know. I guess I owe myself 20 bucks. If that fails, I'll do the vertical T5 idea. Thanks!

i to am looking into the dr40/dr60 combo with a 150 hps to flower... love to see that link if you find it, thanks

 

[astroturf]

Might this be the beginnings of a GL40/DR40 club? I sure hope so.

While the 40cm micro tent surely makes for a great mothership, it would be interesting to see whether it's got the right stuff to become the next trend for a start to finish micro grow.

I may have found a suitable 125 CFL hood here:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1]Compact Light System [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Includes 125 watt CFL Bulb)[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1] - Sale[/SIZE][/FONT]
http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/lights.shtml

 

[Hella THC]

Might this be the beginnings of a GL40/DR40 club? I sure hope so.

While the 40cm micro tent surely makes for a great mothership, it would be interesting to see whether it's got the right stuff to become the next trend for a start to finish micro grow.

I may have found a suitable 125 CFL hood here:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1]Compact Light System [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Includes 125 watt CFL Bulb)[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+1] - Sale[/SIZE][/FONT]
http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/lights.shtml

That's the one right there! Same one I was speaking of and couldn't remember the link for. It should work great!

I'd love to start a GL40 club once I get things going. I think it might get some attention.

And to those of you suggesting vertical CFLs with no reflector, its just not going to happen. First off, the whole point of the post was to specifically avoid ghetto rigging and hanging individual CFLs. I know it can be done, but it would look like shit and not be what I'm looking for. Second, the only light I would think of hanging vertically would be a big 125w CFL, and if I did that, I would lose like 14-16" of vertical grow space.... and there's not a lot to begin with in that little tent. It's just not wise, or clean looking.

I'll keep you all updated.

- Hella

 

[astroturf]

That's true Hella THC, there's a price to pay for hanging "anything" horizontally in a 4 foot tall tent. That's what makes the T5 side lighting solution a good option. Imagine a set of four 54 watt PLL's inside the GL40. That's 122 watts per square foot for a total of 216 watts.

The short overall height and narrow width sure makes the GL40 all the more challenging to work with. Take for example the assembly instructions which show a carbon filter with inline fan suspended horizontally from the ceiling of the tent. For the brave soul intent on flowering, there goes another foot of usable vertical space.

I wonder.....Has "anyone ever" fit a commercially available carbon filter with an inline fan horizontally into the GL40? Even a Panasonic Whisper would take up a foot. The rather expensive (for it's size) Can Filter 705 mounted to a pint sized squrriel cage might take up less room, but I have doubts whether it would be big enough to get the job done.

 

[Hella THC]

That's true Hella THC, there's a price to pay for hanging "anything" horizontally in a 4 foot tall tent. That's what makes the T5 side lighting solution a good option. Imagine a set of four 54 watt PLL's inside the GL40. That's 122 watts per square foot for a total of 216 watts.

The short overall height and narrow width sure makes the GL40 all the more challenging to work with. Take for example the assembly instructions which show a carbon filter with inline fan suspended horizontally from the ceiling of the tent. For the brave soul intent on flowering, there goes another foot of usable vertical space.

I wonder.....Has "anyone ever" fit a commercially available carbon filter with an inline fan horizontally into the GL40? Even a Panasonic Whisper would take up a foot. The rather expensive (for it's size) Can Filter 705 mounted to a pint sized squrriel cage might take up less room, but I have doubts whether it would be big enough to get the job done.

Well, the overall flaw in that line of thought is that the average grower expects everything to be inside the box. From the beginning, I have been planning some micro grows relying on the fact that the fan and scrubber, although less efficient, would be placed outside the unit. There's no way I would or even could get a reflector, a can scrubber, and a fan all on the inside of that space. I'm sure I could, but as we've been saying, it would make the height of the space unworkable.

Regarding your PL-L idea, are you talking about putting them vertically on the down beams of the tent, or horizontally on the cross bars? I don't know a whole lot about PL-Ls but I know they are small, efficient, and require some basic wiring as well as remote ballasting... am I correct? I really should start reading the PL-L Club thread. How hot do they run, do you know? Heat is a bit of concern, as I am currently running a few of the 42w spiral CFLs and they get surprisingly hot.

Wow, sorry for the run-on post. Tramadol and cannabis makes for a rambley combination. Hopefully I'll be growing my own meds soon and will have no need for this chemical bull shit.

Keep it green and positive,

- Hella

 

[Hella THC]

One more question. Could I wire the 4 PL-Ls so they are all on one plug?

 

[astroturf]

Yes, you could attach any type of flourescent tube vertically up and down along the frame tubes of the GL40. The PL-L lamps would require a bit of wiring, but with some protective tubing, all that wiring can look leaner and cleaner.

There is no reason you couldnt use a single 120v wire to power multiple ballasts (if required). Some ballasts can power multiple lamps, so you may be able to use a single ballast for 4 lamps.

The Sunblazer T5 lamps can be strung together daisy chain style using the included jumper cables (but they are kind of short). Longer jumper wires are available, but I am unsure whether they would reach from one corner to another in the GL40. They might reach.

The sunblazers are half the wattage of PL-L but they are a turn-key solution. The end caps are made of alluminum, the body plastic, and the T-5 bulbs are protected from abuse by a clear plastic shield. UL Listed, they even have a little rocker on/off switch built right into the body of the strip instead of the being part of the cord.