should be great for a 3x3, I am running 220w in a 2x2 . cant get but 1 plant at a time but they really grow well
Lighting CFL color spectrum question
- Thread starter Sir Chiefs a Lot1
- Start date
I actually speak without experience, only on a theoretical basis...but from what I read, the better option should be the 6500K spectrum and even 9000K or 10000K if available. For true facts the spectrums should be measured and compared to the clorophyll(A and B) absorption spectrum curves.
There are however a few catches.
I presume the vegging plants with optimal spectrum should grow more bushy and not so stretched, which can have its downsides. Another catch is the proportion of red spectrum needed for vegging(have no real data of that), which can be better provided with a 2700K bulb.
So if we put all these pieces together, one should have a mixed spectrum during growth, in my opinion a good setup should look like that(an example):
Veg - 4 lights 10000K + 4-8 lights 6500K + 2-4 lights 2700K*optional (total approx. 250W or more)
Flo - 12-20 lights 2700K, + UVB bulb(aquarium/lizard purpose) last two weeks (total CFL around 250-500W + few W LED UVB)
I'd probably make it like that...but as GoAuto said, they should be fine(but not great, I think).
Sounds good, should look into the 10 K CFL bulbs, but I personally grow with mixed spectrum all the way, but am always interested in increasing yields!
Here is a little update.
Today I recorded two spectrums of CFLs, the 2700K and the 6400K light temperature versions. I got two GE bulbs(2700K and 6500K), 15W each and a NoName 25W 6400K bulb.
The spectrums of the 6400 and 6500 are almost identical as you can see in the picture below.
Spectrum GE 15W 6500K:
View attachment 208708
And here are the overlaying spectrums of the other bulbs(red line is GE 2700K, blue line is NoName 6400K):
View attachment 208709
As you can see, there is a big difference in blue light emission between the two bulbs, that's why the 6400K should be far better for vegging.
BUT!
I cannot not notice there is practically NO difference in red light emission for the different bulbs(some difference in orange light), which makes me think they should have almost SAME results when flowering, assuming it's the part of life when the red colours are needed.
Which is shown in this graph:
View attachment 208710
What can be seen is that a 2700K cfl provides only the orange/red absorbed by chlorophyll b, but the deeper reds are not provided.
That's why I'd use some supplementing light source, like deep red LEDs for flowering...but then, why would you use CFLs in the first place? Only for veg, IMHO.
Hope I didn't just make more confusion, just wanted to share some data
Today I recorded two spectrums of CFLs, the 2700K and the 6400K light temperature versions. I got two GE bulbs(2700K and 6500K), 15W each and a NoName 25W 6400K bulb.
The spectrums of the 6400 and 6500 are almost identical as you can see in the picture below.
Spectrum GE 15W 6500K:
View attachment 208708
And here are the overlaying spectrums of the other bulbs(red line is GE 2700K, blue line is NoName 6400K):
View attachment 208709
As you can see, there is a big difference in blue light emission between the two bulbs, that's why the 6400K should be far better for vegging.
BUT!
I cannot not notice there is practically NO difference in red light emission for the different bulbs(some difference in orange light), which makes me think they should have almost SAME results when flowering, assuming it's the part of life when the red colours are needed.
Which is shown in this graph:
View attachment 208710
What can be seen is that a 2700K cfl provides only the orange/red absorbed by chlorophyll b, but the deeper reds are not provided.
That's why I'd use some supplementing light source, like deep red LEDs for flowering...but then, why would you use CFLs in the first place? Only for veg, IMHO.
Hope I didn't just make more confusion, just wanted to share some data
gradolabs
Hash me about LEDs.
Here is a little update.
Today I recorded two spectrums of CFLs, the 2700K and the 6400K light temperature versions. I got two GE bulbs(2700K and 6500K), 15W each and a NoName 25W 6400K bulb.
The spectrums of the 6400 and 6500 are almost identical as you can see in the picture below.
Spectrum GE 15W 6500K:
View attachment 208708
And here are the overlaying spectrums of the other bulbs(red line is GE 2700K, blue line is NoName 6400K):
View attachment 208709
As you can see, there is a big difference in blue light emission between the two bulbs, that's why the 6400K should be far better for vegging.
BUT!
I cannot not notice there is practically NO difference in red light emission for the different bulbs(some difference in orange light), which makes me think they should have almost SAME results when flowering, assuming it's the part of life when the red colours are needed.
Which is shown in this graph:
View attachment 208710
What can be seen is that a 2700K cfl provides only the orange/red absorbed by chlorophyll b, but the deeper reds are not provided.
That's why I'd use some supplementing light source, like deep red LEDs for flowering...but then, why would you use CFLs in the first place? Only for veg, IMHO.
Hope I didn't just make more confusion, just wanted to share some data
I want whatever tool you used to take those measurements. Did it cost less than a medium sized car? Seriously I'm in the market.
