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View Full Version : CFLs: 5100k or 6500k?



canuck grower
02-11-2007, 02:00 AM
Ok so I looked up all the different wavelengths of light plants use and came to the conclusion that CFLs around 5100k (~ 500nm) would be best for veg growth. Then I see that a lot of the grow shops online sell those 200w CFLs and they are mostly 6500k, give or take 100w. So which one do you all think is better? If you have experience with both awesome, if you just know the answer then that's good too.

I'm using 5100k and if I buy more I was going to get the same, now I am unsure. If you can help that'd be awesome! :jointsmile:

dnlfacundo
01-17-2008, 02:58 AM
5000k is a full spetrum light and gives good results in vegging and flowering.

Opie Yutts
01-19-2008, 03:42 AM
5000k is a full spetrum light and gives good results in vegging and flowering.

Well I suppose it could be a full spectrum light, but only if it says so. 5000K is merely a color. Full spectrum is a bunch of colors. If it says both on the package, then there is a spike of light (a lot of it) that is the bluish 5000K, plus there is a whole bunch of other light that is many colors. In general manufactures call their bulbs that lean more into the reddish areas, and therefore budding, full spectrum. All light bulbs are full spectrum to a certain degree. There are no lights at this time other than LED that are only one color.

5000K happens to be the color of bulbs that are called Sunlight, and 6200-6500 are called Daylight. Ah hell, here you go: http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-lighting/146850-some-fluorescent-info.html

According to this and several other charts that I've seen, best vegging color is neither 5100 or 6500, but 5700K. This number gives your plants a chance at peak chlorophyll activity. Also you can see the best color for budding is around 2400K.