What are Compact Fluorescents and How Can I use them for Growing?

[whatthehellp7]

I just heard that they have trace amounts of Mercury and should they break you should use rubber gloves and clean up with paper towels and put in a double plastic bag ~~~~discard every thing that comes in concact with them ~~~

[y?cuzican]

Originally Posted by whatthehellp7

I just heard that they have trace amounts of Mercury and should they break you should use rubber gloves and clean up with paper towels and put in a double plastic bag ~~~~discard every thing that comes in concact with them ~~~

That is true, thats why flourescent tubes aren't allowed in landfills, but i'm sure alot of them get there,anyway.

Hopefully they never break on our plants, smoking mercury couldn't be good.

[Boss]

Yes I think you can, howerver I don't know the dilution.

[Racefan]

apply it (hydrocloric acid) one drop at a time. A little goes a long way.

[Boss]

From what I understand it is very effective though;

[NightLove]

Hi there, I am a newbie grower, how do you know your the light is enough for the plants? I am using a dual 4 feet fluorescent setting for 2 pots. If it's given for compact.f how do i know? Despite the mobility and space, is compact.f as energy saving as the normal ones? I am not sure if I post this at the right place, sorry if I am not suppose to.
Thanks.

[Racefan]

You want 40 to 50 watts per square foot of grow space. Square foot is length x width. You have 80 watts with 2 bulbs. My room is 4 x 5 which is 20 sf. Multiply that times 40 or 50 and you get 800 to 1000. That means I need to use 800 to 1000 watts of light to maximize my grow space. What is the size of your grow space?

[NightLove]

So if let's say each pot take up 1 sf then I would need as many bulbs(36 watt each...in my country a normal 4 feet FL would be this.) for each of it? I read a few thread and it mention about importance of UV at flowering stage, so does FL provides good UV?

[Boss]

With CFl's it is very important you get the lights close and keep them close. This will give you the Lumens per meter you are after. I reccomend as many lights as heat will allow. You will not be dissapointed. I smoked out a long time grower buddy of mine this weekend with my sativa mix i grew on all cfl's, and he actually said he couldn't smoke anymore after 4-5 hits. This, from a guy I have seen puff bowls for hours on end with me. It made my weekend ;-)

[JRgrowNsmoke]

after reading all of this i have a lot less doubts about using these lights.. thanx guys.. this almost feels like cheating.. BOSS - your giving me all the answers.. i hope i pass the test.. thanx again

[DankOLicious]

Originally Posted by Boss

I have my eye on these new 60 watt dual spectrums they are selling in the hydro shops now. At 6300 lumens each. those should do it :-) But the heat will rival a 600 watt hps easy. at 20 bulbs thats 120,000 odd lumens, I only have 34,000, and not concentrated with reflectors.

hey were did u get those things for u lights and what are they called? What price range am i looking here for those, the splitters and the thing were the splitters connect to. Thanks.