4 42 Watt or 12 14 Watt Bulbs?

[flying420]

Just wondering on this one but would a 42 watt bulb be better for the plant vs three 14 watt bulbs? 14 watts puts out 900 lum. and 42 puts out 2600 lum. so three 14 watt equals 2700 lum. in addition 4 14watt is cheaper than buying one 42watt bulb. would it be an advantage to use 12 14watt bulbs instead ?

 

[cork144]

the 42watts will grow better buds than all of those 14watters, bigger the wattage the dencer the nugs.

lumens dont stack, the 3 14watters would just have a well spread 900lumen output, where as a single 42watter is going to putout 2600, so 4 will just be 2600 spread out.

 

[flying420]

that is the thing... they both will equal the same watt. so does this mean that it is better to grow with one big bulb that is 200watt or to grow with a couple small bulbs to equal 200watt?

 

[RaptorJesus]

definately 42watts mang. i use those for veg and they're nice.

and cork's right. when you use a bunch of CFL's there's so many points of light that its like the same amount of lumens spread across the area. if you use a bunch of the 14 watters it won't add up to the same amount of lumens as the 42's... i'm too stoned to explain sorry lol. you'll get much better buds with the 42's

 

[Hydro-Soil]

CFLs are most efficient around the 42-55w range.

The 14w are weak with low penetration power.

You'll want the 42w if those are the choices you say you have.