As the topic states, I am looking for which bulb would be better for initial growth from seed to flower. I currently have a fixture I made that holds 8 bulbs in a horizontal orientation but as I've continued my research it appears that the 5000k bulbs don't contribute much to photosynthesis based on the spectrum they output. I'd prefer not to special order 6500k bulbs at this time for my first grow but I also would like optimal growth until I'm ready to flower. This is bagseed that while the plant is very bushy and the node interval is about 1/2", it seems like the plant is growing slowly. It's been growing for almost a month and is only 6.5" tall but appears very healthy. Up to this point I've been using 4 26 watt 5000k on the inside and 4 23 watt 2700k on the outside about 2-3" above the plant. Below you will find the setup of the bulbs in the hood. The dimensions of the hood are 14"x14"x3.5" tall. -------------- | 2700 - 2700 | | 5000 - 5000 | | 5000 - 5000 | | 2700 - 2700 | -------------- I attempted to do a search but couldn't find any information on this subject outside of a comarison between 5000k and 6500k bulbs. Any help is appreciated!
5000k or 6500k bulbs are better for vegging, i would use the setup in your hood all the way through veg and through flower ( you dont really need much 2700k in flower) also you can get 6500k bulbs at home depot or lowes
Here's a graph for you to check out. You're gonna want to get lights that will produce light in the outlined spectrum. I agree with tokeymctokems and God Of 420, you should replace those 5000k with some 6500k or "daylight" CFL's from any local store such as wal-mart, home depot, lowes etc., they should all have the right kind of lights. I spent the extra money and got a single 150W Vitalume 6400k CFL for vegging and it works great. I think it was around $45 and totally worth it (1 year warranty, just keep receipt and you should have no problems) "Daylight" blue spectrum (6500k) on the left for vegging and "warm white" on the right (2700k). Anything in between these 2 will just be reflected off the plant and not used, thus the green color we see when looking at any plant
Wrong. You need mostly 2700k for flower..... Standard is 2:1 6500k:2700k for vegging, and 2:1 2700k:6500k for flowering. --------------- | 2700 - 6500| | 6500 - 6500| | 6500 - 6500| | 6500 - 2700| --------------- Try that. You can buy bulbs at 1000bulbs.com or as mentioned before places like Lowe's or Home Depot carry 6500k CFL's also. Good luck!
I went back to Lowes today and oddly enough saw some 6500k bulbs that definitely weren't there last time I was. In any case, I picked up 4 of them and will be supplementing with 4 2700k bulbs on the outside. I do wonder though, based on the spectral chart posted earlier if a 400watt 12,000k (aquarium metal halide) would be even better than a 6500k bulb? It seems like the closer you go to the UV spectrum, the more light is absorbed by the chlorophyll? I started the plant originally with that light but the room got way too warm; hence the switch to CFL's. Also, my original question was never quite answered. In the situation where a person only has 2700k or 5000k CFL's, which would be better to use for the vegetative stage? Thanks again for those who have posted so far.
No you want the 6500K - the 12,000K will be no good for your girls, 6,500K is the best you are gonna get for your girls.
actually not wrong, i have seen tests done using all 6500k and all 2700k and there isnt much differance in yield
Hmmm. Interesting if true. Goes against everything I have ever read on the subject, and my grows using mostly 6500 during veg and mostly 2700 during flower have been successful. I know you CAN just use 6500's for flower, but I am pretty sure you are better off using a combo of mostly 2700 with some 6500. (Noticeably better yeilds/quality) Maybe a more experienced grower has some insight....