Lumens vs. Kelvin?

[MasterKushy]

Is it more important to have more lumens or a good kelvin temperature? I have been using 2700K 68W (300W equiv) CFL's that are about 4200 lumens, but I found some 35W (150W equiv) bulbs that are 6500K but only like 2200 lumens. Which would be the better buy for vegging plants?

MasterKushy Reviewed by MasterKushy on 11-04-2009. Lumens vs. Kelvin? Is it more important to have more lumens or a good kelvin temperature? I have been using 2700K 68W (300W equiv) CFL's that are about 4200 lumens, but I found some 35W (150W equiv) bulbs that are 6500K but only like 2200 lumens. Which would be the better buy for vegging plants? Rating: 5

[Loafyboy]

Is it more important to have more lumens or a good kelvin temperature? I have been using 2700K 68W (300W equiv) CFL's that are about 4200 lumens, but I found some 35W (150W equiv) bulbs that are 6500K but only like 2200 lumens. Which would be the better buy for vegging plants?

I would say 2 x 35w 6500k bulbs would be better than your 68w 2700k bulb. Similar watts and lumens but much better light frequency for vegging. 2700k is better for flowering. :hippy:

[MasterKushy]

Thanks for the advice loafyboy. I realize the two bulbs together would clearly be better than the 1 big one, but am mainly trying to keep it to one bulb per plant, so I don't have to buy more outlets and stuff. So would you say its more important to have the high lumens or the better kelvin temp?

[Loafyboy]

Thanks for the advice loafyboy. I realize the two bulbs together would clearly be better than the 1 big one, but am mainly trying to keep it to one bulb per plant, so I don't have to buy more outlets and stuff. So would you say its more important to have the high lumens or the better kelvin temp?

I've not tried vegging under 2700k CFL's, so couldn't say. The best way is to try one of each and decide which works best.

Mind you, I'm nor sure it's worth scrimping on outlets, your plants deserve the best! :thumbsup:

They aren't expensive, and once you have them you can use them forever.

[MasterKushy]

True, true, but money is tight right now, and the outlets are $5 each, and I would need like 4 more of them, plus the $10 each bulbs, so that's like $100 real quick. I have been vegging exclusively under the 2700K 68W bulbs and have had great results, I just wondered if maybe I could use a little less wattage and get the same output from the 6500K. Oh well.

[Loafyboy]

True, true, but money is tight right now, and the outlets are $5 each, and I would need like 4 more of them, plus the $10 each bulbs, so that's like $100 real quick. I have been vegging exclusively under the 2700K 68W bulbs and have had great results, I just wondered if maybe I could use a little less wattage and get the same output from the 6500K. Oh well.

I guess you could try just 1, and if it's no better than your 2700k then at least you will know. Sorry I can't be of more help man. Good luck with it though.:thumbsup:

[DOUGAL25]

rying to keep it to one bulb per plant, so I don't have to buy more outlets and stuff.

You can just buy a Y-socket adapter to fit two CFL's in one socket...the adapter is under 2$ at any local hardware store or walmart

So would you say its more important to have the high lumens or the better kelvin temp?

I've vegged a single plant under 2700K bulbs(5 bulbsx 2400 lumens/bulb = 12000 lumens)and it worked fine...I would have had less stretch if I used 6500K, but it wasn't anything too drastic to work with. It was even a sativa dominant hybrid.

Your best bet it to spend 2$ on a Y-socket and use the (2) 35w 6500K cfls. I would suggest a couple more bulbs as vegging progresses - you wanna meet the 5,000 lumens/sq. ft minimum. (those 2 35w's would cover just less than a 1'x1' area)
:stoned:

[MasterKushy]

THanks for the info Dougal. I can't believe I didn't think of the Y adapter thing, pretty good idea. I think I will get two of those bulbs and a Y adapter and see what happens. The cost of 2 of the 6500K bulbs is about the same as the 2700K so I really have nothing to lose. I only have like 4 plants at a time in veg, so I have enough sockets to do one light per plant, so each plant is getting the 4200 lumens by itself.

[CovertCarpenter]

Now, if you can find a way of putting the 6500k bulbs in /with/ the 2700k, with maybe a 4100k cool white to round 'em out a bit more, the plants you have should be getting all of the nicely flavoured light that they need to go from start-to-finish...

And yeah, those y-adapter things are dang handy...

More light is usually not a Bad Thing (tm)

(c)C :chainsaw: