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Designing my new CFL micro-SoG
- Thread starter ThePhiloStoned
- Start date
ThePhiloStoned
Member
I am definitely open to playing with the lighting, maybe I'll give those E27 Par38 LED spots a run after I try both of these CFL setups, I just wanna play with several configurations until I get to what I feel is the most ideal...
ThePhiloStoned
Member
Although all the Par38s I'm finding seem to have rather low lumen outputs (1100 or below).
I've bought several from eBay, they're ridiculously bright compared to a standard household CFL.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=PAR38+High+Power+COB&_sop=15
ThePhiloStoned
Member
ChasingGreen
Member
So $100 for 1800 lumen or a 42w CFL (I did the math, let me save you some time, 42W CFL are the most efficient for $ and lumens per watt.) that puts out 2800 lumen for $10. Seems pretty obvious to me. But I've also never used a LED bulb to grow. Plenty of experience with CFL, it's all I used until very recently.
I used (8) 42W CFL in the reflector in my gallery. When I used a photon meter, it was obvious that HID bulbs are much brighter from a farther distance, but the tradeoff is heat. I used to keep that reflector that I speak of, about 4 inches from the top of the canopy with no issues. What kind of lumen loss do you get with LED's? For example, if I was getting 100% lumen at 4 inches as a base, I was getting 75 percent at 7 inches. That little distance makes a HUGE difference with CFL's. Keep that in mind, because unless you SCROG, CFL's are kind of useless in a reflector.
Lumens are for human eyes, and most of them is thrown to the sides when you use CFLs, they're great for lighting up your living room, but I'd rather have 2500 lumens shot directly at the plant than a small part of the 2800 lumens.
This was grown in my microbox, it flowered under one 25w eBay LED spot. I don't think it actually uses 25 watts, probably closer to 15w. I also added an 18w Philips LED bulb mid flower, it's meant for lighting strawberries and such, I've tried using it solo, but nothing grew under it.
This was grown in my microbox, it flowered under one 25w eBay LED spot. I don't think it actually uses 25 watts, probably closer to 15w. I also added an 18w Philips LED bulb mid flower, it's meant for lighting strawberries and such, I've tried using it solo, but nothing grew under it.
ThePhiloStoned
Member
Okay so since CFLs throw light to the side you would lose like 40-60% of the lumens that are only indirectly lighting the plants...however the LED spots are directly lighting nearly all lumens toward the plants...that makes sense, it's worth experimenting with, my only concern is how expensive the lightbulbs seem to be.
Yeah they might work better in a micro grow situation. I paid about 15 euros per light when they were on sale. Maybe T5 or PL-L lights? They'd be more affordable and you'd still be using fluorescents while covering more surface area.
ThePhiloStoned
Member
PL-Ls have definitely been on my mind as a lighting option.
ThePhiloStoned
Member
So, it's been almost 4 years and I never followed thru with this design scheme, and I feel horrible about it...no really, I actually feel bad about not bringing this design to life...so I would like to with your help.
i've contended that the best way to pull this off would be to make interchangeable lids with different lighting schemes, so I could run each of them with the same exact strains and further be able to dial in the factors by recording as much info as possible along the way.
So, my real reason for reviving this thread is a specific set of questions. What, specifically, (as in the actual products w/ links if possible) lights, be they CFLs, T5s, E27 Par38s, COB LEDs or something I haven't considered would you run in this setup, keeping in mind that my budget is limited (and I may be running several different lighting schemes) and this is a micro grow so space is limited and heat is difficult to control.
Btw, I will be able to keep the surrounding room (of intake air) at 70°F± and around 50%± relative humidity, so that will make things easier to manage, as well.
Thanks in advance guys, I have so much love for you.
i've contended that the best way to pull this off would be to make interchangeable lids with different lighting schemes, so I could run each of them with the same exact strains and further be able to dial in the factors by recording as much info as possible along the way.
So, my real reason for reviving this thread is a specific set of questions. What, specifically, (as in the actual products w/ links if possible) lights, be they CFLs, T5s, E27 Par38s, COB LEDs or something I haven't considered would you run in this setup, keeping in mind that my budget is limited (and I may be running several different lighting schemes) and this is a micro grow so space is limited and heat is difficult to control.
Btw, I will be able to keep the surrounding room (of intake air) at 70°F± and around 50%± relative humidity, so that will make things easier to manage, as well.
Thanks in advance guys, I have so much love for you.
Last edited:
Kudos for upping your thread, been a minute, damn.
ThePhiloStoned
Member
I know man, life has thrown me so many curveballs, I had to reorient and get back to what has always felt meaningful to me...so here I am family...back at it again.
