Indoor First time Home Box Grow. Need some advice.

[ripster]

OK, ya got to look at Auto's like this:

Since an Auto can have 3 seasons in one summer, outside that is, the plants best of the 3 grows is the middle grow. Why is this you may ask? Well, it's because the Auto loves the light. The middle grow is usually in June/July and that's when we have the most sun during the day. It needs this stronger light because it is flowering. The more light they get the bigger they grow. This is also why you can grow auto's with no dark period. 24/24 lighting. But I like to give my plants a little 4 hour nap.
So one spectrum works for these little puppies the auto's...Blue not red

 

[NewHope]

Why is this you may ask? So one spectrum works for these little puppies the auto's...Blue not red

Ok! Thats right. But I asked, ther CFL light be able to do what T5 Ho do?
I know T5 makes more lumen in the same W number.
Example: T5 HO F 54W = 5100lum
CFL 80W = 5500lum
I asked, if I just use 2 X 54W T5 HO 6500K (108W) and the remainder W I need (maybe 500W-108W = 390 W) I resolveing with 80W and 20W CFL bulbs, it can give me the same effect as if I use only T5?
(I will try to reach the same lumen value as if I use only T5)

 

[ripster]

yes, that should work

 

[NewHope]

Ok. Thats sounds good!
I try to pick up my bulbs. I find some on the internet, but in our town, its really hard to get bigger than 40W CFL.
http://www.growlightsupply.com/grow-lights-fluorescent-grow-lights-c-6_9.html
As I see its a nice place, but if i see it well they delivery only to US. :S
I figured my system and the organization, only just ONE thing remains.... Decide to whitch K bulbs I need to use.

I trust you my frend, when you told me only 6500K bulbs will be enought. I see your albums, and if i can grow half as nice plants like yours I will be a very happy person!
But in AF, we have another guy, who use CFL lighting, i think you you met him in the forum. Hes name is surffreak23.
He say the spectrum switch is needed. (6500K to 2700K).
I think I will use the 2 method. I want to use maybe 80% 6500K, but in the flo. i think I add 1-2 2700K bulb (20%).
If someone can advice something i get it happly!

 

[NewHope]

I think the thing of light is fixed.
I think maybe I try with CFL bulbs,I search and find some nice bulb.
http://www.hydroponics.eu/lighting-c-24/sonfluo-kit-s-190/sonkit-fluo-150w-white-6400-k-5063.html
http://www.hhydro.com/Sunleaves-125W-Compact-Fluorescent-bulb-6400K.html

And today when I read the "argument" , and after ripster and Andy (2 t5 user) agree that T5 is absoulitly perfeckt! Other technics can work, but T5 is the "king".
I decide, I will use it. Definitively!
I need to face with the proble of cost. I think i hadle it. with a little improvisation, our try to find some cheep set in some shop.
If I improvise i buy:
6X54W T5 HOF54W 6500K (4700 lumen) Osram FQ 54W/865 or Philips TL5 HO 54W/865
12X moisture-proof socket
3X2X54W T5 Electronic ballasts

and after I get it I make my own reflektors and fixures. and if I need more light i get some cfl bulb to sidelight.

Or try to find some cheep set on the net. I will look around...

One question. The fixures they are sell, encluded Electronic ballasts??
its important for me, because the price main part is my 3 ballast. maybe produced what the shop sell will be cheeaper way.....

I Think I find it
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/hydrofarm-lamp-6500k-t5-fluorescent-grow-light-p-2714.html

 

[ripster]

http://www.autoflower.org/f5/t5-cfl-only-thread-2321.html

Link to T5/CFL only thread.

 

[NewHope]

http://www.growsmarthydroponics.com/HydroFarm-FLT48-HO-commercial-T5-4ft-8-Tube-Fixture_p_7790.html

Finally I found it!!!!
It was need many search, but i think it was not wasteing time. 2-3 day, but I think i got it!!!
The only shop in THE WORLD what shiping with affordable price!
If I see well, they send for me thix fixture with tubes about 300 dollar!!!!
I think its a great choice!
Anyone has experience with this fixture?

 

[ripster]

NH, how's it going this morning?
Nice work finding this light fixture. I sent them an e-mail to make sure it will work with the HO 54 watt bulbs.
Hope the shipping don't kill ya.

 

[NewHope]

I hope too!! Ty my Man!!! I dont do anything else in the last 3-4 days in my free time, just try to find a shop what delivere to me a T5 ' 8 tube in affordable price. If you can confirme me in this thing I will very grateful! I dont know how they can do this in the price what they say, but i dont care! If they do this I will be the most happy person in teh world! Only to feel the weight of the situation, I told you I dream with T5 fixture I hope it will works and I try to grow my first own bud! I'm realy excited!!This thing is very close to my heart, I dont know why I cant decide myself to grow years ago

 

[ripster]

You ordered the light yet, NH? I know you got the good news from the grow shop, so I was just wondering.....