Question about CFL color temp difference/lumen output.

I just had a question about CFL lumen and color temp in respect to one another. I know that the higher the color temp (6000K, 6500K, etc) is always better, but some lights I'm seeing online had a lower color temp, around 5000K and put out more lumens. Now, I know that more lumens means more growth, but would the color temp difference somewhat off-set this lumen disparity between the two bulbs.

Bulb 1-85 Watt 4200 Lumens-Full Spectrum Color Temp 6500k
Bulb 2-85 Watts 5500 Lumens-Full Spectrum Color Temp 5000K

I assume bulb two is the better choice, but wouldn't the 6500K color temp bulb have better capability for making a shorter, bushier/more compact plant if the lumen output was a little better, say 4800 lumens for bulb 1 and 5500 lumens for bulb 2. Any comments/insights on this idea of a better color temp off-setting a lumen advantage?

Id go for number 2 i like lower tempatures for my plants.

The temporature refers to the colour (in the kelvin scale) and has no bearing on the heat generated by the bulb.

5000k is the daylight spectrum and can be used for veg and flower

2700k is red in colour and best for flowering

6500k is more blue in colour and best for veg

There is even a 130w (real wattage) CFL with a colour rating of 14000k (marine blue) which is suppose to be primo for vegative growth.

I'm running 158watts at 2700k and 105 watts at 6500k and currently just over 1 week into flowering.

btw - I have flowered with a combo of 5000k and 6500k and still obtained good results. I believe its better to go for more lumens/watts than being to anal about the colour (kelvin temp) of the bulbs.

I am actually amazed at the amount of threads on this forum that ask thre same question and usually get a pretty incomplete answer.

I have grown indoors off and on for over 10 years and have seen used HID and CFL.

There is no doubt that HID will produce better results but in a small or overly hot area CFL can be an suitable option.

I have also seen the CFL market go from piddly arse 9,11 and 15 watt bulbs to the new 250watt high output CFL. Our local hydro shop sells 130 watt high output CFL (approx 10,000 lumens) in 2700k, 6500k and 14000k colour temps. There is also a lamp secialist around the corner where I managed to fine some real nice 45 and 65 watt 2700k bulbs ... and this is the southern hemisphere not the US or Europe.

Also everyone says that growing under CFL will produce loose buds. Maybe under only 50watts of light, but all my CFL grows have resulted in tight, sticky, trichome cover nugs ... from both bagseed and dutch strains.

So to all you CFL dissers ... dont write crap about them unless you have actual experience. They do work and better than HID user would expect.

ozone have you used the T-5s at all? i am going to be using the 8 bulb 2 foot setup that is 16k lumens or i'd RATHER go CFLs cause of the price difference.

please post in my thread i just started... newbie central...

No i havent used the T5s but they certainly look the goods. Potential to spread light across a wider area than a CFL but for me the availability and cost factor swayed me to CFLs. If saw some really impressive T5 setups on overgrow a few years ago.

ozone said:

I have also seen the CFL market go from piddly arse 9,11 and 15 watt bulbs to the new 250watt high output CFL. Our local hydro shop sells 130 watt high output CFL (approx 10,000 lumens) in 2700k, 6500k and 14000k colour temps.

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Does anyone actually use these 130w, 5600k cfl as i am using the same set up, any advice?

ozone said:

No i havent used the T5s but they certainly look the goods. Potential to spread light across a wider area than a CFL but for me the availability and cost factor swayed me to CFLs. If saw some really impressive T5 setups on overgrow a few years ago.

Click to expand...

I have my closet setup with a sunblaze 24w t5 high output lamp, its working marvolusly. The only problem is cost efficent replacement bulbs, hard to find, and still pretty expensive, between 15 and 25 a bulb. The first round of plants are just now preflowering and looking very healthy.

I think u need to do more research. I dont use CFL yself, as I prefer HID lamps. I own a lighting/flooring store and I sell 4' t5 bulbs (32-40w) for about $5.99 a bulb in any color temp. The 8' bulbs are around $9.95. Keep in mind this is after I double the cost to get my retail $$$. You are paying too much.

right now im using 4 26 wat cfls & 1 46 wat. & they seem to be putting off a good amout of light for what i got i dont know though im still new

cfls way fowad i did one crop with 300+ watts of cfl 2700k got 3 oz off each plant pukka blooze big up sheff

Hey guys kinda off topic but I was wondering if Using a color coated Spiral CFLs like Blue/red/purple would be better for my plants then the usual.