Quote Originally Posted by euthyphro
whats the neccessary light for each stage of growth? i read on one site that a healthy plant needs 3000 lumens per sq foot. and that hps provides the best color range. i proposed a 430w bulb for a pair of 3' ladies in a 16 sq ft cab, and was warned that heat would be too much. can i achieve the same with cooler lights? people keep saying CFL's, but that wont provide the necessary lumens. do lighting requirements change as plants mature? i've seen cab plans that include seperate compartments for differnt lights, woht intention of moving plants to new cab/lighitng when they begin flowering. i'm getting confused and dont want to start germing my seeds until my cab is finished. i also dont want to make any changes to cab. i want it ready for every stage at the outset.
any advice???

Yes......the plants light requirements do change as the cycle of life for your plant changes. Cool white fluorescents works for seedlings but when you reach Vegetation cycle upgrade them to MH and switch again to HPS for the flower cycle. A growlux type bulb can give you a good mixed color but nothing beats the proper light at the proper time in the plants life cycle. They grow faster and bigger if you can control the environment and use quality light and the proper nutrients at the proper time.