6500k CFL bulb variations

I see there are quite a few option for these bulbs regarding watts / equivalent watts / lumens / and price.....

From those whose are experienced using these for vegatative growth:

What bulb do you recommend ?

I know I can go with the biggest most powerful one and that's the best...but that 400w equivalent bulb (105w & 5000 lumens) costs $33 a piece....

On the other hand...I can get a 23w (100w eq) 1600 lumens for $2.41 a piece....

Of course you have bulbs in between these and lesser as well....I figured the 23w (100x eq) would be the minimum I would probably use....

Thoughts and comments appreciated

6500K is best for Veg, 5000K will also due bet 6500K is recommended.
As for the bulbs, whichever would be easier for you. I like just using one big bulb because it only takes one socket and is more neat.

u want a pack of 3 ( since thats the most common) of the biggest daylight cfls you can find at walmart or whatever since ur going cheap but thats only gonna handle ur veg phase and then when u flower ur gonna have to beef up ur light, i recommend hps but u wont learn till u fail

spencer2121 said:

u want a pack of 3 ( since thats the most common) of the biggest daylight cfls you can find at walmart or whatever since ur going cheap but thats only gonna handle ur veg phase and then when u flower ur gonna have to beef up ur light, i recommend hps but u wont learn till u fail

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Ahhh, I think I gotcha....So you are saying...If one was to sink $$$ into either the lights for veggin' or flowerin' it should be the flowerin' lights ?

Then pick up the highest 6500k which are probably 100watt equivs or so at Wally World ?

I use 55w compact T5s. They put out 4,800 lumens with is almost as much as the four foot T5s put out. These are only 21" long. They have a 2G11 base so they are hard to find, I order mine online. With shipping I get 4 bulbs for $40. The good thing is that they come in both 2,700K and 6,500K.

Here's a photo of the what the bulbs look like in my DIY hood. A little hard to see with the reflectors behind them and the Mylar on the wall but you can see their twin tube design.


With all three bulbs going I get 14,400 lumens which is plenty for my little veg cab.

23w bulbs are the most efficient, energywise.
So over time with electric bills these will deliver more lumens per watt.
The "equivelent" never matters. Just ignore those.
Go by actual wattage, in this case 105w.

I'd recommend using as many 23w bulbs as possible.

C.Indica said:

23w bulbs are the most efficient, energywise.
So over time with electric bills these will deliver more lumens per watt.
The "equivelent" never matters. Just ignore those.
Go by actual wattage, in this case 105w.

I'd recommend using as many 23w bulbs as possible.

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Just curious.....For one plant....how many would you say to put above it ?

TechnoMage said:

I use 55w compact T5s. They put out 4,800 lumens with is almost as much as the four foot T5s put out. These are only 21" long. They have a 2G11 base so they are hard to find, I order mine online. With shipping I get 4 bulbs for $40. The good thing is that they come in both 2,700K and 6,500K.

Here's a photo of the what the bulbs look like in my DIY hood. A little hard to see with the reflectors behind them and the Mylar on the wall but you can see their twin tube design.
View attachment 1684073

With all three bulbs going I get 14,400 lumens which is plenty for my little veg cab.

Click to expand...

I got a couple if ballasts laying around for some t8's...was thinking of maybe using them in the corners or sides.