OK, so I'm thinking about moving indoors

[BaronS]

Just a small 'personal space', 2 actually.

 

I took some cuttings and threw them in some dirt. Of seven cuttings, in a pot of dirt in a cupboard, 2 have taken well, 1 took a while but looks to be coming along and 1 seems to be barely hanging in but viable. (I just don't get why people think such is hard, but I digress)

 

The idea is to have 'Area 1' for clone/veg (18/6) and 'Area 2' for bud (12/12).

 

Not really interested in overcomplicating things with nute solutions, fancy mediums and such, been there _many_ years ago, reasonably successfully. More interested in (basically) dirt in a pot. Veg the cuttings for a bit then swap them to the other chamber.

 

I reckon the 2' T5 fluoros are the go due to reduced heat and reasonable useful wavelength output at modest cost.

 

I only joined these forums days ago and have been poking around a bit, not a lot of T5 use from what I can see. Interested to know whether I should go for 2*2' or need 4*2' so it's the 'growing area', in each area, of such lights I am questioning.

 

Gut feel is that 2*2' may satisfy both areas but I might go 4*2' 6500K for the veg and 2*2' 3000K for bud.

 

any comment appreciated

[Radic]

Temperature is a consideration

 

One result of enclosing a smaller lamp with a relatively high output in a smaller fixture is heat — and lots of it.

designed to work at higher temptures, the T5 lamp provides peak light output at 35°C (95°F) air temperature, whereas the T8 and the T12 lamp provide peak light output at a 25°C (77°F) ambient air temperature. Thus, in an indirect luminaire, where there is little or no air circulation, the T5 lamp can have a higher lumens-per-Watt efficacy than a T8 lamp of about the same wattage because of this thermal characteristic.

yet

people are having success with dem

do a search in google

 

irey guidance

[BaronS]

sounds like the T5's will need decent ventiliation, particularly if I run 4 in my smaller (18/6) area. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I can read the 'official' 'primary' and 'secondary' growth areas from the manufacturers tables but I was hoping someone with some practical experience may comment.

 

I started the cuttings under a 200W incandescent that was laying around. Cabinet got hot enough to soften the glue on the GAF tape holding it in place and the lamp dropped while on, but not on the babies. Now using a 100 because there was only the one 200 in the spares. This was only done because the mothers needed a trim and I had a timer sitting around.

[TD.]

If your already making adjustments for extra heat in your growing space why dont you invest in a fluorescent light that is purpose built for growing marijuana ? try this 100w fluro

there a little bigger than a T5 but totally worth it

Edited May 27, 2009 by TD.

[BaronS]

because I was not aware of the purpose built side of things?

 

So you reckon the CFL's are more suited to purpose, for us, than the T5's? Heck, I'm willing to learn and it is exactly this sort of comment I was fishing for (other than how much I need for a small area). When I last did this it was MH or HPS only.

 

I note the CFL's are quoting 10000hrs life vs 20000hrs for the T5's but at the cost don't mind the higher replacement rate, if they do a better job.

 

Actually, the choice _is likely to_ come down to whichever is most easily available in my area, which probably means Bunnings down the road.

[TD.]

half assed job = half assed results

[calaman]

Mate I asked some questions alittle while back about fluros and didnt really get any answers either

I been looking round at them for awhile now, slowly feeling my way as I'm not too knowledgable on fluros. Ive had no problems at all with my HIDs however heat is a real issue where i am so Ive been thinking its one way to reduce heat.

My other unanswered question now is the same as your asking = how many to do the job, ans secondly, where to get em.

the first im still unsure of inspite of reading manufacturers claims you just never know till you try and its alot of money to throw around. Secondly after searching and searching for weeks for someone that will ship them to Oz I finally found someone last nite fluros (shipping almost doubles the cost).

And just to make it all that much harder I just read TDs post about CFLs and Im wondering if a bank of them would do

the job better as theyd certainly cost less. Its a bugger as Im like a kid at xmas - i want it now!!

Fuck Im sorry Baron! I started here in an attempt to help answer some of your questions, now Ive just created more for myself. I really really shouldnt have pulled that cone in the middle it made me lose my train of thought! Ha!....

Edited May 30, 2009 by calaman

[smokinjoe]

Actually, the choice _is likely to_ come down to whichever is most easily available in my area, which probably means Bunnings down the road.

 

Bunnings don't seem to stock T5 fixtures but they do supply bulbs. Hayman electrical or Reece or similar will have them.

[calaman]

Bunnings in NQ do. I was ther this morning - twin for $99