Question and idea: Can we clear this up? Lumens don't add so ...

[Gropotkin]

If lumens do not add up as I have read numerous times here then is it possible to have too many CFLs?

If lumens don't add up and more CFLs just means more coverage...
Is it possible to have too much coverage?

And if nearness to the leaves is important...

Why not make some wire cages or glass sheilds for the CFLs and then we could stuff them into tubes of clear glass and let the tubes hang near the main stem, amirite? Has this been tried? I am thinking it would mix nicely with the grow tube method as well. A circular wall with three 26watt bulbs already has made some killer bud for another post on this site...

I am thinking four tubes, 3-4 46watt and 100watt bulbs per tube. Maybe 2 46watt and 2 100watt per tube in 6500k and 2700k temperatures?

Thankfully I found a good bag of happiness and we all know that is when your best thinking is done

 

[Gropotkin]

Another benefit this might have besides automatically safe closeness is the reduced need to raise and lower the light and more efficient penetration in sea-of-green configurations, no?

 

[Illegal Smile]

I don't think it is accurate to say they don't add up. It is more complicated than just adding them up because of distance. Distance being equal, they do add up. That said, I don't see what harm more coverage would be. Look how much coverage the sun provides!

 

[woolypudding69]

I don't think it is accurate to say they don't add up. It is more complicated than just adding them up because of distance. Distance being equal, they do add up. That said, I don't see what harm more coverage would be. Look how much coverage the sun provides!

I concur. Gonna have to go with Illegal on this one.