How To Build a CFL Grow Light Fixture - CHEAP!

[Freedom2Morocco]

can I stick mylar to it ?

[Freedom2Morocco]

@Freedom2Morocco and do you have to manually turn it on and off ? pls answer i want to make one next week

[SleestaksRule]

@Freedom2Morocco Put it on a cheap timer. Get one for like $4 at a big box store. I rarely use the pull chain.

[Freedom2Morocco]

@SleestaksRule thank you sir .

[SleestaksRule]

@Freedom2Morocco I think Mylar would melt or shrink. They get warm with a 42watt bulb and over time it would ruin mylar.

[ChikaPirate]

I cannot find the duel socket light fixture anywhere you know the t shaped thing that you show at the beginning when you show all that we will need. is that what it is called?

[SleestaksRule]

@ChikaPirate The only store that sells them is Menards. I have a link under the video where you can buy them online but without the pull chain.

[kinamrof]

@ChikaPirate look on amazon for "light socket adapter" or "cfl light splitter" either way youll find one and theyre only a couple of bucks

[ramsdellcp]

the advertisement before this video was amazing, the one about 9/11 and soldiers

[cv3vd1xo]

you don't use tools much do you? there is no such thing as a wire nut it's called a marriet

[SleestaksRule]

@cv3vd1xo I will call these things that do not exist a "marriet" from now on. Thanks!

[offroader5]

@cv3vd1xo Hmm, that funny. Everyone else in the world calls them a wire nut. Do a quick Google image search for "wire nut" and then do one for "marriet" and see what happens smartass.

[cv3vd1xo]

@offroader5 sorry i spelled it wrong they're marretts. i just bought a pack and thats what it says on the package so suck my nuts

[offroader5]

@cv3vd1xo wire nuts?

[cv3vd1xo]

@offroader5 idk where the fuck you you are from but i've never heard anyone call them a wire nut.they all say marrett on any packages i've bought. holy fuck people argue over the simplest shit on the internet...

[SleestaksRule]

@cv3vd1xo Haha, crazy. Looking at the package it just says "wire connectors". ok, I think we can move on, lol.

[offroader5]

@cv3vd1xo argue? You're the one that felt it so important to notify the vid author of his huge mistake in calling them wire nuts.

[cv3vd1xo]

@offroader5 dude it's over suck my nuts

[ninjadauo]

What is the mothly cost of this growlight?

[Monster1995Explorer]

How many plants do you grow under the single 2 bulb fixture? I want to grow 4 plants at a time, should I build two of the 2 bulb fixtures with the larger lights from the link? Also what bulbs are you using for flowering? Thanks!

[SleestaksRule]

@Monster1995Explorer I'd use 2 of the fixtures for 4 plants and for flowering I use the 68watt 2700k bulbs from Home Depot (300watt equiv).

[Safet]

Could you please tell me where did you buy this dual light fixture. Could you please post link. I live in Westrn NY area and none Lowes ot Home Depor carry it. Thanks.

[SleestaksRule]

@Safet There's only 1 store that sells them. Menards. They are in the midwest. Amazon has one without the pull chain. I just realized I didn't link it all these years! Adding it now! I'll send a message to you too with the link.

[Safet]

Excellent teaching video. Thanks!

[roddsteel18]

Nice 1 bro. What are those lights called again? Are they fluorescent? I liked it when you drilled that fuckin suit in the eye!

[deadblood0]

Your sense of humor is awesome!

[Israeli3030]

You're misinformed in regards to light required for growing. I grew medicinal cannabis (a fairly needy and sensitive plant) beautifully with two 23 watt 2700k CFL bulbs.

[th3inquisitiv31]

very, very, very, very good video.

[63viet]

Thank you for your idea.

[josepherader]

I would paint the inside of it white before adding all the hardware. I think that's more efficient than a reflective surface.

[WelderRDT]

very cool idea. you could even spread the edges up, use a larger size vent for larger areas, etc. I see a lot of good merits here.

[gilmore26]

Great idea! Thanks

[STONEMAKERCANADA]

hi

[simontimon2]

Yes, because when shit hits the fan there sure is gonna be electricity to power that light.

[llnaturall]

hey what would i use for a CFL BULB 200 Watts Output?

[suicide5389]

this is a genious idea!!!! I used it for a flouresent grow light thati got from walmart and it works perfect!

[xxxgrow]

Finally, a good use for phone book! lol Thanks for the video

[thinkyourright]

Oh ya, also use a center punch. It it will make a small indentation in the metal. holds the bit in place

[thinkyourright]

Thats a lot of drilling your doing pal. Try a metal bit next time. Thats a wood bit you have there. Called a spade bit.

[Devorvan]

haha nice one with getting that businessman in the eye.

[NWAuto2010]

nice fire risk! Also a shock hazard risk....!!! Wow!!

[NWAuto2010]

nice fire risk!

[susandonb58]

Thanks for posting this I made one today for my raised bed high tunnel for Winter growing. It isgreat.

[StonedOutGamer]

how much were the cfl lights?

[ROTORHEADPR]

u can tell the dude was high while he was doing this cause hes slow as fuck!

[poiiihy]

you should use the big max lite ones.

[117Equinox]

dude, we cant get those things 2 plyg 2 bulbs in2 in the UK cuz of safety regulations.. know anywhere that will ship em here?..... really hard to get those size bulbs here as well..... smaller 1s & bigger 1s are no probs but between 20 & 125w we really have no choice

[djc2323]

@117Equinox hey brother this site has UK on their list i just received my order but i only got one out of two...good luck

[redrum5678]

This new compost tea I found is the best. My roots grew so fast! Mighty Crobes.com

[nonplusify]

Will the larger bulbs (like the ones you linked) fit into that fixture? The bulbs seems about 3 times bigger.

[SleestaksRule]

@nonplusify Yes they will. I used them in it.

[impulse120291]

I looked for that light fixture the other day, but I couldn't find it. Do you happen to know what its called and how much you bought it for?

[210482fmj]

fluorescent tubes seem to offer wider coverage than compact bulbs

[karmazback]

how many bulbs should i use and what should the watts be?

[djc2323]

love it need it gonna make it thanx!!!!!!!!!!

[jointmasterjay]

hi i'm hgavinbg trouble finding the aluminium vent, i'm guessing it was a tube which u cut down?

[SleestaksRule]

@jointmasterjay No, these are pre-cut. No rough edges. You'll find them at Home Depot ect...

[jointmasterjay]

@SleestaksRule ahh no luck with the home depot as i'm in uk, had a good luck on the big diy stores here's websites and not looking good :( to be honest i'm not completely sure if i'll need them as i'm going to be running 12 85 watt cfls giving around 66 000 lumens and all of the bulbs are going to be pretty close the plant , ideally ide have reflectors but not sure its going to be worsth spending that much monney on a cfl setup if i cant find a cheap option.

[jeezys304]

@jointmasterjay it's called kd...it's 5 inch kd..used for a/c venting... dryer vents etc..

[EBKgangsta29]

this mother fucker copied the old school dude

[SleestaksRule]

@EBKgangsta29 Who copied who, check the dates.

[drdr1111222]

how about this if your growing weed but a new one at the store yes it might cost you some but it your making 300 dolors a week might as well get one

[buffaloborn71]

Just a heads up in the future dont put your non-drilling hand so close to the drill bit....If it the drill slips out it can dig right into your hand or finger,,,I did it and the drill bit went right into my finger causing me to lose feeling in it...and also nice job hitting the attorney with the drill.

[superspy35]

will one of the lights in the video work for one beefsteak tomatoe plant thanks.

[REMIX8604]

i had so much trouble finding these bulbs. i still cant find the dual socket light fixture.

[herbhebbo10]

@REMIX8604  try ebay bro

$9.95

[emsapowell]

I made a trip to Lowes this past Sunday... Scouting out all the parts I'll need for this! I'm hoping to get a little outdoor storage house or something and having shelves and several of these lights going this winter to get a really early start on next spring!

[astalavisitor]

Wait, you just showed us how to drill an aluminium premade fixture? jeeez useless video.

[210482fmj]

i still think normal fluorescent tubes provide a slight better spread of light and better coverage. is there much difference between using fluorescent tubes or compact fluorescent lights in terms of coverage if you were to use a a reflector the same length as the tubes on the non compact light. the 120w compact lights only often have a reflector that is 14" or so. fluorescent tubes would be much longer and provide more coverage for more plants. i prefer the longer tubes for this reason

[nickgevans]

@budd42O Man, that made me laugh so much

[dramey03]

WOW 20 bucks for one bulb with the ones you linked

expensive for me

would you recommend 2 would be enough for a 2x2 area?

have you had truly good success with flowering and fruiting with the 2700s?

id highly appreciate your input

i also like your design very much but is it needed with cfls?

[99RngforHollywood]

Theres an attorney on the back of this and hopefully we'll hit his face... HAHAHAHA

[Bloodyfisted]

I'd rather grow pot....

[mrdanisthename]

Would it work In your opinion then? Or would it burn the plant and kill it?

[mrdanisthename]

I have a compact fluorescent and it says it is 65 watts but it only uses 13 watts. Is it 65 watts or 13? I'm not sure its pretty small. Thanks

[blaster2012]

@mrdanisthename What you have there is a 13w bulb,when it says 65w,that means its equivalent to a 65w incandecent (ordinary) bulb.

[BlueThor1]

Can you write the name of everything that is needed to build the light fixture pls ?

Im portuguese and if I dont have the names writen will be much harder for me to translate to portuguese and to buy those things ...

[Thorlos13]

Very nice build, think im gonna have to try that myself this weekend.

[DemonicSymphonic]

@budd42O Fuckin' ghosts man!

[bumr055]

I got a "3 way(low, medium and high- 50/100/150 watt) equivalent CFL bulb.

Does anyone know if I get the "3-way switch" I need, will I be getting the full 150watts from a regular wall outlet? or do I need something to amp up the wattage?

[Dwillis1841]

i made one with a 12 inch stove pipe with 3 fixtures attached and used 6 45 watt cfl's

IT WORKS KILLER!!!

[blazingzigzags]

Thanks. Fixture is working well. One question though, you stated to use a lamp cord, but I'am thinking to switch to a small power tool cord with a ground, and running the ground from the gang box to the fixture. Wouldn't this be safer, or is there a potential problem down the line?

[EdThePepperHead]

i got to make this!

[jdora25]

will it hold HID's 400 watts

[jdora25]

will it hold HID's

[buddypew]

hiss weed plants will be happy

[WATITDOO16]

Does anybody know what to do with the green wire in the junction box of a cool tube? Wiring isn't my forte, would appreciate the help, thanks.

[mespeerly]

Thank you for the vid. I am trying to get my impatiens, and chinese forget-me-not's to seed, and they need light.

[puchpower93]

where you got the dual socket light fixture from? i dont live in the US its pretty fucced up..

[EvilRick73]

thats a cool idea bro!!! ill make a few. im going to add a small Junction box to the top and make my connections inside it. ill use a romex connector through the box for the power cord. i will link four of them together with 3 conductor sj cable. ill use these cool lights you shared over the good ol stinkbud hydro system.

[the666dizzasmybitch]

Hahahaha 2:55

[shelmarie87]

Question: Do the dual-socket light fixtures and that very same cord handle higher watt CFL's, such as 85 watts each, safely?

[shelmarie87]

VERY nice! Exactly like something I'm looking for! DIY, easily found materials, CHEAP!, easy to build, and, most of all, apparently quite effective. Thanks so much for making this video!

[shelmarie87]

@budd42O Looks like it just slid down from something when he moved his leg. lol

[kjr12341]

Thanks for the quick response.

[thedawg910]

"We got him right in the eye, so we're a winner." I laughed so hard haha holy shit.

[kjr12341]

1) Could your setup be run off a light timer? 2) Can it handle two 125w or higher bulbs? Thanks for your input.

[SleestaksRule]

@kjr12341 I run it off a timer. If you use 125watt or higher make sure the base is not mogul. Look for a medium base.

[mdma4life]

@SleestaksRule

Also called E26 (the 'medium' socket)

[456hoover]

so u can use compact florecense for growing bud?

[shelmarie87]

@456hoover Not very well. It will technically grow with it but won't be very good quality. You need much stronger & different types of lighting for it to grow well, especially in the flowering "budding" stage. Look around for videos or blogs that tell you which work best for the vegetative stage and which kind for the flowering stage.

[lewischappell]

You obviously grow weed.

[MichaelIanHenry]

Why 42 watts? Why not a 100 or higher wattage bulb? I understand about Lumins being the amount of light. So is it that you can achieve the same type of results with a lower wattage bulb instead of a higher one? Thereby saving on ones power bill verses the 'traditional' method?

[SleestaksRule]

@MichaelIanHenry At the time I made the video, 2 years ago, the 42 watt bulbs were as big as I could find locally. I'm using 85 watt bulbs in them now that output 5700 lumens each.

[Rrrrobbo]

@MichaelIanHenry he's using cfl's for small plants so they won't require that much, AFAIK seedlings only need something like 500 lumens which would be easily output by only an 18w CFL at 1 ft

[MichaelIanHenry]

@budd42O good eye! It does sort of seem to suddenly appear doesn't it? Probably an assistant more than likely. Again good catch catch there budd!

[59Gretsch]

Very nice Vid but if the 2 Bulbs alone are like 40 bucks, how can this lamp with bulbs cost under $30?

Are there a cheaper version of bulbs available?

Thanks for posting your vids.

[DrewJames95]

bud

[freshfreshery]

fuckin dick i wanna be an attorney

[SleestaksRule]

@freshfreshery I promise not to drill your eyes.

[freshfreshery]

@SleestaksRule ahahaa sounds good to me. sweet light you got there, im using it in my garden for veg. growth.

[hurbangrower]

Great idea with the ducting piece to act as a reflector.

[daikaiju20]

where can you get the double socket bulb adapter? not seen those in hardware here.... lighting store item?

[F2000420]

NEED HELP ,,, WILL A LIGHT FIXTUR THAST ONLY TYPE A LAMP-AC ONLY 60 WATT , DESK LAMP WORK FOR GROWING A PLANT WITH CFL,S? OR DO YOU NEED A SPECIFIC KIND OF SOCKET ?

[SleestaksRule]

@F2000420 One single bulb in a desk lamp to grow plants? I don't think it'd do too well. All the bulbs I used work in a standard socket. Just stay under 60watt if that's all it's rated for.

[TdRaidX]

@F2000420 CFL lamps only good for growth period, Flowering sucks major on CFL's use HPS for flowering ...

[shelmarie87]

@F2000420 IMHO Dont see why not. CFLs are made to replace incandescents w/o replacing sockets. When comparing light output CFL's use MUCH less wattage vs Incandescents which is why they are so "green" on one hand. However, the fact they contain mercury and most people don't know how to safely dispose of them does make for a different safety concern. As long as theres no dimmer or electronic timers it should be safe. We use 18w CFLS in the home that compare to 75w Incandescents.

[eakova]

he's so slow, if he isn't so high!...

[kyle699151]

im pretty sure u can buy a lamp for around 30 bucks too but this is so creative=)

[SuperPoloGang]

@budd42O haha that shit was funny as hell aw man i dropped fuckin ashes all over the keyboard laughin so hard i love observative peeps like u

[legion1a]

I used this video to make this light fixture a few months ago, and it works great.

I made one modification to the design,

I used 2 of the double bulb fixtures, each mounted 6 inches from end, instead of 12 inches to center.

I used 2 - 75 WATT 6500K and 2 - 100 WATT 2700K CFL's, which seems to cover the light specs. perfectly.

My "tomatoes" are doing really great.

Thanks for the video!

[boxingthedevil]

visit growrelentless dotcom for premium grow boxes

[joshuawgarner]

Get you some never dull and in about half an hour you can polish that thing to a mirror.

[idaman112]

@budd42O mwuahahaha

[ripraor123]

@budd42O i didnt even see that till i read ur comment and when and looked now im scaryed theres a ghost

[rynox77]

Haha... clearly this guy had a bad experience with a divorce attorney or something... Great video, though. I'm going to use some of these ideas to create my own. I used a small florescent grow light last year, but it was REALLY weak.

[tamiya1]

Nice work on drilling into that lawyer's head. Also, nice handiwork :)

[BreakfastBentoBox]

@tamiya1 I have watched this video a few times in the past month, and that drilling into the head is the best! Praxus 55712 did the same video thing with a little different aspect... joshua w garner said the truth, it is a great polish with neverdull brand.

[HappyTish]

I bought 2 23 watt cfls for 99 cents!

[Polybun]

are those full spectrum bulbs you got for only $15 each?

[johnscotti60]

LIGHT!!!! mouahahaahah

[chrisonfire420]

wut did u use to cut the dryer piping in half? Looks like a pretty clean cut,is the edges really sharp?

[SleestaksRule]

@chrisonfire420 It comes in half sections, no sharp edges.

[SproutDoubts]

@SleestaksRule I don't think those are "half sections", I believe they are made for flexible sizes if you wrap it around itself.

[xxitsAlilJokexx]

does the wire have a ground wire?

[Wraith99]

I saw praxxus 55712 make similar fixtures. Are these better than shoplight fixtures? if so in what way?

[SleestaksRule]

@Wraith99 Yes, he added to my idea and put in some support rods which is great. I posted links of other folks who built upon the concept. Shop lights are weak but great for seedlings. It all depends on how much area you want to light up. With the vent idea, you can add bulbs with some high lumen output which penetrates the canopy in a small area. If you're growing in a larger space I suggest Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium lighting which is more cost effective.

[slytrix1]

what is the aluminum dryer vent called?

[extacyhacker]

@slytrix1 Lmfao.. You've already answered your question.

[robbo0023]

"hopefully we will hit his face" hahaha i laughed :D

[OttoMaddock]

EASIER and cheaper to visit your local Restore and spend 5$ on one of those old bathroom vanity strips. You can fasten it right to the shelf.

[RianTalks]

When you say 6500k what do you mean? 6500hours?

[SleestaksRule]

@RianTalks That's the color emitted from the bulb. 6500k is great for vegetative growth.

[RianTalks]

Thanks:) Could you tell me how many hours this light can last?

[smallsn]

@RianTalks

6500kelvins is daylight spectrum - kinda blueish - grow plants

5000kelvins is natural spectrum - plain white

2700kelvins is warm white - red spectrum. - make plants produce fruits.

We rate the light colour in kelvin. That what we mean when we say 6500k etc

[djt4u2night]

@RianTalks 6500K means the temp of the light it's rated in Kelvin (hence the "K"), 2700K is better for fruiting plants exhibiting the flowering growth cycle

[Praxxus55712]

I made this two days ago. I used two 150 watt CFL bulbs. I altered it by using furnace duct tubes for stability. It turned out fantastic! Really focuses the lgith with minimal light waste. Perfect for my indoor tomatoes, grape vines and roses.

[SleestaksRule]

@Praxxus55712 Cool, glad to hear it. Maybe we can see it in a video soon? Or make one just for that pineapple monster you have.

[LeninfromUSSR]

@Praxxus55712 lol

[stevelau1933]

I think I might try that out, but with 150watt bulbs if I can find the materials to make them fit.

[helloman1976]

Brilliant!

[Thdudeabides]

Very nice video! I decided on a whim to build a terrarium full of Tillandsias in my bedroom that would come on before my alarm clock in the morning. I've been STRUGGLING to find the proper amount of light I need. I found different approaches to estimate the lumens I need to produce the recommended foot-candles and realized I need MORE light (much more than I expected). Yours is the best, cheapest, best-looking, effective idea I've seen and it goes well with the "DIY" aspect of my terrarium!

[neogardener]

This is a good idea! I never really thought that building my own CFL would be possible. I am just concerned that it will not be able to provide my hydroponics plants with the correct form of lighting. Anyway, thanks for all the tips!

[Vintagecasio]

@budd42O haha

[xdgaf1503x]

i like it! cheap easy and looks clean

[Jazreldedondru]

Well done, very educational! Thank you!!!

[Rawaction509]

check out my video ;indoor marijuana grow room DB#1

[TheRedMontana1]

does it say 42watt equivelent or 42watts?

[scubacell]

have you actually used this fixture? i'm a little worried about burning, i've got tomatoes and some flowers growing and my last experience nearly killed a forget me not :/

[SleestaksRule]

@scubacell I haven't experienced burn, tomato leaves move around quite a bit every hour. I did a time lapse video of them under the CFL's and it looked like they were more animal than plant.

[eastbayjen]

I'm a super noob...I was thinking I could make this light and replace the cfl with some hps bulbs??

@eastbayjen Nooooo! You can not use an HPS bulb in a incandescent/flourescent light fitting.