Lumens don't stack?!

[HawaiianPunch]

So I don't get it. If I have three different bulbs in a small space, I only have as many lumens as is produced by my strongest bulb? For example, I have a 2400 lumen bulb, a 3600 lumen bulb, and a 4800 bulb. All bulbs are side by side. Total lumen produced is 4800? or 10800 lumen? Or some wierd ratio combination like 7000 total lumen?

I was under the impression my grow benefits from multiple bulbs, but if lumens don't stack, then I could have one plant growing here, one plant growing there.

 

[CoonLover]

bump

bump

I hope they do. I am running Dual 150w hps systems and pulling 16,000 each. I hope i'm in the 30,000+ range. They are running side by side.

I guess we'll both learn something tonight.

 

[master shake]

the more important ratio is lumens per square foot...what's the footprint of the grow area? Light bulbs are independent of each other so the lumens would combine.

 

[HawaiianPunch]

so they stack, but then exponentially decrease in intensity by the inverse square law? or does this only apply to point-source light? I've gone through a lot of trouble to cover all angles in my little cab with a cfl or straight tube and then I read something that says lumens dont stack. I thought I was well over 7000 lumens per sq/ft but if lumens don't stack then my strongest bulb is somewhere like 5000 lumens.

 

[sparkjumper]

I'm not familiar with the lumens stacking theory but believe me,the more lamps you have the better if its not too hot.One of my best fixtures is a sun systems 400WHPS 400WMH combo and whether the lumens "stack" or not,it kicks ass.To say smaller lamps used in conjunction with a larger lamp would be somehow "nullified" is pretty crazy I think

 

[cork144]

they dont stack, but the more in there the better.

if you had a 5000 lumen lightsource, and a 3000 lumen light source, youd have a max of 5000lm, but because you have an extra 3000 in there, those 3000 will also be striking the plants, which is why people like to add upto 8000.

 

[magiccannabus]

Simple really. Stack them, and divide by the number of square feet, assuming you're measuring lumens at 1 foot from the bulb as is the standard. I wouldn't be too obsessed with lumens. Wattage is usually more accurate.