Yes I have a suggestion. It's based on my experience and that of others. Those lights are crap. Sorry to be blunt, but it's true. I struggled with them for about a year, thinking that of course something labeled as a plant light must be the way to go. If I'm not mistaken those are considered to be more of a full spectrum light, wasting much of it on many undesirable wavelengths. Since they are what I started with, I thought growing with fluorescents was mostly a waste of time. Then I started researching, and found out what plants want, and it's not light from a plant and aquarium bulb. Now that I've seen what they can really do, I'm considering ditching my MH for veg and switching to all fluorescents.

If you really want something that's efficient and will work wonders on plant growth, get some T-5 four footers that are 5700K. And if you can find them, please let us know where, otherwise get the standard 6500K and be prepared to be amazed at the difference. Another (less expensive) option would be to keep your ballasts and get some T-12s of the proper color, and again notice the huge difference.

Quote Originally Posted by Opie Yutts
Spectrum schmectrum.

Plants will bloom the best under 2450K light whether its T-5 or not. They do the second best at blooming under 2750, T-5 or not. 90% of the cfl grows are done at 2700K exclusively, which usually produces fine results. That's not that far off from your 3000K bulbs, but turk is right that 3000 isn't ideal. It will however produce bud, you just need more lumens. So why don't you not buy 3000K lights, and get 2700K or better yet 2400 or 2500 (if they exist).

These 3 combinations will yield about the same assuming all else is equal:
- 6000 lumens of 3000K
- 4000 lumens of 2750K
- 2000 lumens of 2450K

2750K has a chlorophyll response roughly double that of 3000K, and 2450 has a chlorophyll response roughly double that of 2750K. I'm not pulling those numbers out of my ass. Check the charts. So to say it won't work is kinda silly in my book. Yes of course the correct spectrum of HPS, will do much better than an incorrect spectrum, or wavelength of fluorescent, which is what turk has going on.
http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-li...-lighting.html

Full spectrum lights are a waste of resources, unless perhaps they have a big spike in a desired wavelength.