CFL~~what's the story?

[Rocker]

I notice a few people growing under CFL's.

Can you grow successfully under these?

And more importantly what is the quality of buds?

 

I have had seedlings a few days old under CFL's but that is all.

 

If CFL's do the job why am I using 'juice guzzling' 600W HPS lights?

 

I would love to be using lights that use low volumes of power; especially the way prices are heading here.

So, if anyone has had pretty good results from CFL's I'd be interested to know some details.

Thanks.

[MadamePandora]

check my grow diary

 

https://cannabis.community.forums.ozstoners...showtopic=25485

 

Under LARGE CFL's, I got a 3 oz yield from one plant. The buds were not very fat but quite satisfactory. I think that I will go to a HPS for flower next time but stick with the big CFL's for veg.

[Rocker]

Thanks MadamePandora, I checked your grow diary out.

You would have to be pleased with your results.

 

Two big advantages CFL's have is the low power consumption and the low heat generated by the lights.

[bufo marinus]

I don't think the numbers add up yet Rocker, the luminous intensity falls away at a root squared rate of knots, true.

So more light is needed to produce the same amount of bud, yes maybe less heat but a fan is still needed anyway so around and around the whole discussion goes.

imo a single 600w HPS is extremely efficient for the pound + range, a 400HPS will still grow 10 oz + every grow, I think the 250HPS can produce a solid 5-6oz, yes with more heat produced, but that's the trade off for more intensity = fuller colas.

I enjoyed Madame P's grow and even the BaronS cfl grow but neither stacked up with less power consumption.

CFL's are something you muck around with before buying a real light, I hope I can say that without making anyone cry, but I doubt it.

[pisspotgrower]

My reccomadation would be look at the cfl grows rocker than have alook at crew diaries and ill let u come to the decision on which is producing more. Pics speek 1000 words

 

Keep pumpin that 600 buddy

[MadamePandora]

Yeah after trying it once, I agree with Bufo.

 

It's mostly OK to use CFL, and it will work BUT the result is not as impressive as it would be under a HPS.

 

I am also not sure that I saved any power.

 

I had 425 watts of light in the large CFL's and 3 smaller CFL's = another 75 watts. So about 500 watts of power drawn.

 

The heat reduction was good, but its a trade off really against having fat buds or not.

 

I bought a small HPS for the next grow in the new year.

[Rocker]

Thanks everyone.

 

My 600W is back in the good books again.