Fluorescent lights and vegetative growth

[Ford Fairlane]

Do you use Fluoro lights while veging your plants? Please comment on the brands and types you like. Alternatively, please comment on negative experiences.

 

Cheers

FF

Edited February 2, 2014 by Ford Fairlane

[Naycha]

Ticked other cause wasn't sure what option suited best. Sometimes I use them in veg sometimes I don't, usually I use hps for the later part of the veg period if I use cfls.

 

I have used tubes, the cfls you use in regular ceiling lights, and a Philips 80W cfl. I found they were all adequate although hps is superior.

 

Naycha

[sizalinescreen]

fluros caused my plants to stretch significantly, they grew extremly slow and there was very little undergrowth which resulted a smaller harvest.

 

I have used t40's led's and even cfls Although you may save a little bit of money for your bills, your veg time will be significantly extended,

 

i reccomend using a 400 watt mh for veging. out of all the lights i have used this light yeilded the best results

 

Sizaline

[Frank Reynolds]

I use an 80 watt CFL for cuttings, early veg works great. Then as nay said usually finished begging under 600w hps

[Lenore]

Hmmmm, bit had for me to choose which option.

Using CFL's for mums and clones, and will being using a big arse 300w CFL for the first 3 weeks of veg in the next tent (going to veg for 4 weeks before flipping, or at least that's the plan.) and then give it the HPS the last week of veg.

Have used all sorts of CFL's to date too. Woolies 23w's, Phillips 80 and 85 (more recently) a 130w for the mums.
Even had an old lidded fishtank going too, for clones, with an 8w CFL in the lid.

I like HID's more for veg tho. The 150 MH was awesome, but the footprint is a lil too small, esp when I want the light closer to the plants.
 

I have noticed more stretch under the fluros tho. =\ Not massive amounts, but still, it's there.

 

Used a 400w HPS for veg before too and it's SOOOOOO much better than CFL's imo.

If leccy weren't an issue, or the COST of leccy, I'd stick with HID's exclusively.


Lenny

[mastertig]

i use a ablite cloning box

called watts in the box

has 2 x 18w growlux tubes

i use this for starting and maintaining clones

i never turn it off

as i have only 1 tent its very usefull

sure i dont get rapid growth but it suits my style of growing

[Faith]

For me it goes 2 23W cfl (just these desk lamp clamps) while they are tiny seedlings then if the cupboard is available a 130W cfl to get them a little bigger, then under 250 hps for a bit and when I change their light hours, turn that up too 400W hps.  It all depends on times and available space really-the lumatek at 250W is the go though imo-oh sun's best but imo

 

peace and good growing. v

[Ford Fairlane]

Thanks for the great replies.As you may have guessed I am trying to work out my next setup, and if I should add fluoro's to the mix, Which i think I will. I will also be getting 22solar panels on my roof, so thinking about lights on all day in winter, if the solar system can handle it.

[Matsu]

I use a cloning light with 2 x 18w Fluoro tubes. Its good for starting seeds, starting clones etc. When they are a little bigger I put them under  130 w CFL. I use the CFL exclusively for my mother plants.

For a proper grow, I use MH for veg and HPS for flowering.

[brick]

Seedlings I use 6x18 watt fluros. 3 are Growlux 3 are standard tubes. I have aluminium tape over the top half of the Growlux tubes as a refelector. Doesn't hurt them heat wise.

 

 

sometimes 2x130 cfl for veg or a 250 mh or a 250 mh + 250 hps combined for veg

 

I try and do most of my growing outdoors.

 

400hps for flower

Edited February 6, 2014 by brick