Several CFL's or 1 HPS Light?

[Bass Akwards]

We're wondering whether a fairly small S.O.G. growing area could use a few CFL lights instead of one small High Pressure Sodium HID light. Until recently, we didn't know that the CFL lights could put out enough lumens to do the job.

Here are some examples we found:

http://www.1000bulbs.com/85-Watt-Compact-Fluorescents/

http://www.1000bulbs.com/65-Watt-Compact-Fluorescents/

http://www.1000bulbs.com/105-Watt-Compact-Fluorescent/

The advantages we see are that CFL's don't have a heavy ballast to make noise, several can be spaced out to give even illumination over a larger area, there would be less heat building up, and the CFL's are available in several colors, from cool to warm.

In an area that's well vented, covered with flat white paint, with a fan or two pushing the air around, is this a concept that can work well?

Should the colors be mixed, ( like HID set-ups that mix MH and HPS ) or would all warm CFL lights do better?

How many sq. ft. of area can each of these CFL's cover effectively?

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Check out the CMH. Bluer than MH, redder than HPS. One bulb, one ballast. Better penetration and spectrum than CFL.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=72215

Still sticking with CFL? Check out threads by DrBudGreenGenes or CFL King.

 

[growsmall]

they run off hps ballasts jeff so just the bulb price spectrum is all over but higher red than hps and higher blue than mh they apparently run cooler too!

 

[NorCalFor20]

i second the 400w cmh idea.

Get a the 100$ HTG suppy.com 400w mag HPS ballast and reflector

add CMH bulb.

then you have a Bulb, completely assembled ballast (including cords, sockets, etc) for around 200 after shipping.

all u do is screw in the light bulb and get growing.

here is the link to the product u need.

http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=47929

call them and tell them you want the 400w HTG HPS kit minus the bulb and your set then order the CMH from http://www.advancedtechlighting.com

boom! 200 dollars and u have a 400w cmh with ballast and reflector ready to grow!

 

[NorCalFor20]

what did you decide to do?

 

[bakelite]

You may try a CMH bulbs from a local lighting store. The one near me can order a 250 watt Retro-White for $56.00. If you factor in S&H this may be cheaper than getting it online.

 

[Bass Akwards]

No decisions yet ...

No decisions yet ...

Still haven't decided what, if any, light to use.

Outdoors has treated us quite well in the past.

Maybe this Fall there will be time to think about indoors again.

Thanks for the feedback.

The CMH spectral charts are impressive.

( Lot's of light, but how much is PAR? )