Please critique this hypothetical set up

[Big Dummy]

Let's say I have about 18 square feet of area.

There would be two 40 watt fluorescent fixtures (with two bulbs each). So, that's 160 watts. That's 12.000 lumens. Right? Is that enough, if I keep the bulbs near the tops of the plants? I'm planning two cool whites and two grow lights. Good, bad?

I have the ability to place a fan at the top of the space and vent into the attic, using dryer sheets - so I can make my attic smell nice. I care a lot about having a nice smelling attic. Since airflow should go in one direction (out to the attic) Will that keep the smell down inside? Or do I still need to get some carbon filters?

Suggestions welcome about anything.

 

[Dankerz]

18 sq/ft you need atleast a 400w hps those flouros will not do much of anything in that size space.
you want atleast 40-60watts per sq/ft

you have like 8 watts per sq/ft

 

[maineharvest]

:goodposting: :lama:

 

[Big Dummy]

18 sq/ft you need atleast a 400w hps those flouros will not do much of anything in that size space.
you want atleast 40-60watts per sq/ft

you have like 8 watts per sq/ft

Thanks for the constructive comments. Shouldn't I care more about Lumens than watts?

I'm also concerned about energy usage and heat signatures. Given that, what would you suggest?

I've spent a ton of time reading, but it's a lot to take in. My Lumen count was from the grow guide here, and I (probably) misread it.

 

[Buju]

I think what dankerz is trying to say is you will need to tighten up your grow area or get more light. The light is being spread out. It should be confined into a smaller area to get the most out of the lights you have. You should put a box together or divide up a smaller area in your attic. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Runbyhemp]

I reckon you'd need at least 600w lamp for a space that size. 2 x 400 watts would be better.

 

[KADE]

You want 5000 lumens per square foot... some ppl use 3000, thas the minimum... whip out 5000 lumens per square foot and u'll be setup pro =)

 

[TheStickyIcky]

If you are going to use CFL's for a grow room that size it would probably take more like 36 than 4. Which by the time you bought all of those and the fixtures and cords to plug them in you could have bought an HPS system.