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 TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
 
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City 
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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 CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? 
#352778 - 01/24/10 08:10 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Besides the practical problem of how to fit it inside a socket housing, would a set-up of CFL bulbs involving 3 "2-way" splitters on one electrical socket work?
Is this a electrical hazard?
The reason why I want to do this is because I read somewhere on the Growery that a user said (as a general rule) that plants should get at least 100 real watts if you are using a CFL as a light source.
But, because of the spacing, I might just use 2 dish reflector per plant, but all these dishes are getting expensive. The less I need to use, the better.
So, is this a bad idea or should I just use 2 per socket?
Thanks for the Help,
~ TrueHerbCrystal ~
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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 Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#352779 - 01/24/10 08:14 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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heat might be an issue i dunno electrically though
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 NightGrower
Proficient Horticulturist
Registered: 11/17/09
Posts: 204
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#352790 - 01/24/10 08:30 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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I use that same dish, check the top of the socket, it should say the max amount of amps/watts per light, but I believe it said 300w (incandescent).
Good luck and let us know if you figure it out.
I might just do the same.
--------------------
Learn of Terence Mckenna. Check out the Shroomery to learn more about what one man did for mushies. Thank you, Terence.
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: NightGrower]
#352808 - 01/24/10 09:00 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yeah, true dat Man, heat might be a serious issue with four 27watts bulbs.
So NightGrower, you got the same light dish? Nice! They're pretty nice, no?
If you do try the 4-way set-up, make sure you look for an extension for the socket. Right now, it doesn't fit at all.
And I don't like the wide spacing of bulbs: too far apart. I wish they were flexible, like the ones that plug into the 3-prong sockets. Oh well.
Tricky Electricity
~ LogicaL Chaos ~
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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 Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: NightGrower]
#352840 - 01/24/10 10:35 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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One more thing...
I checked the top of the socket for the amp/volt/watt rating. Its say "MAX: 250 volts/660 watts" Damn thats a lot of watts! So, I guess I just answered my own question then, yes it can be done without electrical fire issues, but getting it to fit in a reflector dish and dealing with the excess heat may be a problem.
That was easy enough...thanks NightGrower
Apparently, A Self-Fullfilling Prophecy
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#352897 - 01/25/10 03:45 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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if you got 2 more splitters or maybe one, and same amount of bulbs you may be able to fit it in there. cause it will make one of the bulbs face inwards accordin to my figgrin a'course...
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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 Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: the man]
#353239 - 01/25/10 09:33 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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" figgrin' a'course "??? Whaaaa.....
Well, I tried the 4-way splitter set-up and it works, but its a very inefficient design. But, it does look pretty cool, like a UFO or an upside-down light tree.
Here's the reason why...
(1) All four bulbs stick outside of the reflector dish, so its pretty much not using it.
(2) The arrangement is too far apart from eachother. But, if they were close to eachother, excessive heat might be a hazard.
And Here's what it looks like:
 
^Materials Used: 1 ~75 degree socket splitter (its the light-tan one in the middle). Two 90 degree socket splitters. Two socket extenders. Two 5000K 26watt CFLs. Two 6500K 27watt CFLS. One reflector clamp lamp. Total price, just for adapters: ~$13 ($2.50 a piece)
I had no problems turning it on, or any other electrical problems. The only problems I have with it is the ones I already mentioned above.
Well, I guess I'm just gunna have to get 2-3 more large dish types, and use 2 dishes per plant. I guess it could be worst, like paying a couple hundred for a HPS grow light.
For my first time, CFL's will do....
Hot 4-Way
~ TrueHerbCrystal ~
Edited by TrueHerbCrystal (01/25/10 09:33 PM)
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353326 - 01/25/10 10:28 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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i was doing southern accent guy. what i meant was if you had another splitter it would place a bulb in the center.
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: the man]
#353342 - 01/25/10 11:12 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Oh, do 3-way splitters exist? I'll have to look into that, sounds like a good idea.
Also, I didn't get the "dirty south" talk sorry...can you enlighten me?......what does "accordin to my figgrin a'course" really mean?
Thanks for the translation, slang slinger.
Its a Southern thing...
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353344 - 01/25/10 11:16 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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How bright are those? they dont look too bright.
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353347 - 01/25/10 11:25 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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The pictures above are 2 types of bulbs, the 5000k is 26 watts and the 6500K is 27 watts. I am planning on using four seperate 26-27 watt bulbs per plant (once I get my seeds).
I'm thinking that using 104-108watts on a seedling might be overkill, so for germination I am going to use just 2 of those 26-27 watt CFL. That should be enough, right?
I really don't know...
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353348 - 01/25/10 11:27 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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"according to my figgering, of course." no i meant just add a another splitter by doing so it looks like to will move one light towards the middle.
ya those arent to bright only 26 watters, you neeed to get the 42-45 watters. with 2 of those you will get the same brightness. so if you do put four 4 watters you will really get some growth. might be overkill though from the top as they dont penetrate very well. but dont take my word for it...
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: the man]
#353349 - 01/25/10 11:29 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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oh replied before i finished typing. NM
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: the man]
#353351 - 01/25/10 11:39 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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I know, I wanted to get 42 watters, but I couldn't find the right color temp.
I did buy some 2700K 42watters, which look like CFL's on steriods, but after reading "lighting" tips, I found out its the wrong "color" of light for germination/vegging, so I went with the highest wattage of the *right* color, the 5000-7000K range, and the highest one was 26 and 27 watts. I've checked like 2 stores for higher watts, but no one has it over here. And I don't wanna pay for shipping by ordering online, so I'm shopping locally.  Thanks sales tax-free Oregon! 
I will be definitely using the big 42watt 2700K bulbs for flowering, they are perfect for the job.
But for the vegging, I will use the 26 and 27 watters. Keep in mind, I turned the sensetivity of my camera to "ISO 100" for best picture quality, which means darker photos. When I had the silly "4-way" tree set-up, it was blinding to look at the bulbs directly. I thought my eye-sight was damaged by staring at them for just a few seconds.
On the package, the label says "1,750 Lumens each" which is a total of 7,000 lumens with all four bulbs. Is that enough light?
Thanks in advance, payment
~ TrueHerbCrystal ~
Edited by TrueHerbCrystal (01/25/10 11:42 PM)
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353356 - 01/25/10 11:44 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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What is the plant you have them over?
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353357 - 01/25/10 11:48 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Oh, its just a stand-in, a tester. Its a small coffee plant I bought because it looks cool.
I haven't gotten my seeds yet (ordered them last Sat.), so I'm just using that plant as a "what if" plant, ya know, like how baseball players imagine they are going to hit a homerun before they even get to base.
So do you think ~7,000 lumens of light is enough for 1 small closet plant?
I Love Similes,
like a plant loves light
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
Edited by TrueHerbCrystal (01/25/10 11:48 PM)
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353363 - 01/25/10 11:57 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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I think its something like 3,000 lumens per sq. foot. Are you just vegging with CFLs?
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353365 - 01/26/10 12:02 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yes, my entire grow will just be using CFL, because I'm a cheap ass. But not cheap enough to use incandescents...thats too far.
How wide, in square feet, does a typical closet plant grow after 1 month of vegging?
~ TrueHerbCrystal ~
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353366 - 01/26/10 12:05 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Hard to say man, but I would definatly tie down the plant to make sure it can get as much light as possible. You might want to ask Harry_Ballsach what he did with his CFL grow. His turned out pretty well.
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353367 - 01/26/10 12:12 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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i dont think you can add lumens, but i am not sure on that. but ya if you put 2 of the big 42s on top, and then the smaller 26 on the side(maybe turn 1/4 daily), that will forsurely work but maybe toss it into flower at around a foot if your not training.i only say that cause of penetration issues. cant wait to see the results!!
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: the man]
#353369 - 01/26/10 12:17 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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after one month it will only be maybe 6-7 inches in diameter. as a rule of thumb plants untrained wont grow to much wider then the container ie roots.
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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 Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: the man]
#353371 - 01/26/10 12:29 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Thanks for the help the man.
I'll have to look up "untrained plant", but I pretty much know what you mean.
Just to recap, Rule of Thumb: 1 month of vegging at ~4,000 lumens = 6-7 inch diameter plant. Awesome man!
Good to know,
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353373 - 01/26/10 12:33 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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lol I didn't say he could add lumens. I say tie it down so that the light can penetrate down into the plant further. That will be his main issue with CFLs. But definatly ask Harry, I was pretty impressed by his CFL grow.
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353376 - 01/26/10 12:55 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Oh yeah, Harry_Ba11sack told me about his CFL grow. I haven't read the whole grow log, but I'm impressed by what I've seen so far. I'll definitely be contacting Harry about CFL questions.
I'm confused by your quote "I say tie it down". What am I tieing down? My hypothetical plant of the future or my light dish?
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353378 - 01/26/10 01:00 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Your hypothetical plant of the future, look up low stress training techniques.
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353382 - 01/26/10 01:15 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Alright, I'll do some research.
BTW, thanks for all the general help with so many different subjects Triptonic. Feels good to get helpful advice.
One more question: What do you think of the Papertowel Tek for seed germination? Is it better than just planting a seed in a small pot and watering it?
Someone's getting some
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353383 - 01/26/10 01:19 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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A lot of people like the paper towel technique, but if you wanted to just plant it in your pot and water it there would be no problem with that either (thats how plants have been doing it for many years). I think one of the good things about the paper towel technique is that you can tell which seeds are viable (because they pop open). If you are planting them in the ground you wont know.
But also I have read from Mandala that they suggest just planting the seeds straight into the ground. So that is what I'm going to do once I get my grow going.
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353388 - 01/26/10 01:28 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Interesting point. I'll be using the paper towel technique then. But seeds evolved to grow out of soil for thousands of years....Hmmmm...
You earned your 5!
Thanks for all your help, and Good Luck on your first grow! I can't wait to see your grow project. I hope you suceed.
Get ya Grow On, Trip
~ TrueHerbCrystal ~
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353391 - 01/26/10 01:31 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Thanks for the rate,
You gonna put up a grow log?
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TrueHerbCrystal
Uncertified Oregrowian
Registered: 02/07/09
Posts: 1,352
Loc: Emerald City
Last seen: 6 years, 2 months
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 Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353398 - 01/26/10 01:36 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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No prob. You earned it for your thoughtful advice.
As for the journal, already did...
Its called All CFL Semi-Automated Closet Project (FirstGrow)(Pre-Seeds).
I was actually going to make a new entry right after I got the answer to this thread. The journal is pretty time-consuming, but since I (and any other user) can look back on my sucess/failure, the extra time doing it is worth it.
>>> How about you? Are you going to do a journal?
Well, got to start writing.
Keep it Green Trip
~ TrueHerbCrystaL ~
Edited by TrueHerbCrystal (01/26/10 01:38 AM)
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Triptonic
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 15,581
Loc:
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: TrueHerbCrystal]
#353399 - 01/26/10 01:39 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yep I have one going but it wont be to far along until july. You can find it here though.
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the man
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 825
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
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Re: CFL Electrical Question: "4-way" Splitter? [Re: Triptonic]
#353403 - 01/26/10 01:50 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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triptonic i was talking to him about adding of lumens.
if you are using paper towel tek, water with a solution of hydrogen pyroxide. like 3-4 drops per litre, will help "clean" the water.
i like to germ in rockwool cut 1cm cubes, make a little hole drop them in. its good because it doesnt dry out s easy and plenty of oxygen. also you dont have to directly handle the seedling, buggering any root hairs that might have formed already. i also add that weak peroxide solution with a greatly watered down nutes. While likely hinders the water intake into the seed, they get nutrients instantly once sproated and for the few days before they can punch through the rockwool into the soil. worked great so far sproat in 30 hours or so usually.
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