Better to focus on multiple 23w CFLs or fewer but more expensive 42w CFLs

Greetings All,
Attempted to post this one the other day but for some reason it didn't show up. My apologies if this is only the case on my machine.

Been reading through the boards and there is so much GREAT information and talented farmers in this forum, that I find myself getting lost in a sea of open tabs trying to simply catch up. Anyway, I am one of the countless new growers on the site and as with all of us, we must start somewhere with many questions, haha. I figured stop reading, participate and just ask. All you cats seem very forthcoming with your wisdom and kind with your answers.

I am focusing on going CFL myself - just seems more logical and economical for a small time closet grower like myself. And I recently started the beginning stages of a four socket grow light and cover. (After seeing some inspirational grow cabs here I may opt for a more intense 8-10 bulb direction, ergo the following question) I picked up my bulbs today from Menards, possibly a bit prematurely and now I am a bit worried I went the wrong direction with my bulb choices. I grabbed four, 42w EcoBulb Plus Daylights (6500k/2800Lumens each).

These lil buggers set me back about 9 bucks a pop, but they do hammer out some decent brights. They do not however advertise any growing advantages or anything grow related at all like some lights and fluorescents do, Are these worth while for this stage and the cash dealt out? Or should I keep a couple 6500K bulbs for my veggie stage and exchange the other 2 for a few 23W 2700K to mix in and also use during flowering? The main reason I ask this is because I am seeing a considerable amount of folks that seem very satisfied with a multi-23W CFL setup and less smaller/economical grows focusing on numerous 42W CFLs.

I am currently growing only three lil prides of joy and just passed the germination stage, planted in my soil couple nights ago and using a single basic 42W bulb setup (w/humid hood) awaiting my beauties to rise. (Journal will be pulled together for posting)

By the way as a first time grower, I can't explain the excitement I had when I got home this evening and saw the lil guys sprouting. I can see I have fallen in love with a green thumb.

You got the right type of bulbs and the more light the better..you can't have to much you should try for around 40 watt(CFL) per plant so in all theory that is like 100 watts worth of light per plant! I have the AG delux and got 6 going I got Three AG grow bulbs plus 6 veg 6700 bulbs 30 watt each give around like 600 lumen I think but that is perfect for me woprks good and my plants are 2 weeks old and smell very skunky already CFL are the way to go for personal HID if your going to sell it...

86w per plant is the magic number

how many plants, how big of an area,how long do you plan to veg them for? are you using lst or fimming or scrog?

Only focusing on three plants until I find out male/female result.. This number is likely to reduce (bag seed) .... Grow Area - 2.5" x 3" x 6.5" closet, limiting space. Very well may aim to transfer into a cab grow box, which -- depending on the cab path I choose -- could reduce space (especially height) for a more compact discreet area.

As for "LST" or "FiM" or "scROG"... I'm new to the grow, so these are relatively unknown techniques to me. I have read and moderately understand the basics, but will probably go at it old school for this first run.

you'll need more light than that. I'd stick w/the 42w's.....but i'd add like 12 of em by the time they start flowering. myfirst grow area was 2x2x4 and i had 22 of them in there. lol

the only thing i can say is 42w all the way. the watt to lumen ratio is the most efficiant and economical. i myself in the beginning grew a single plant on a single 42w bulb all the way threw. i got 9 grams from it but than again it was less than a foot tall with a single cola and a couple pop corn buds. this ex mom was vegged under 2 42w and is now flowering under 6. currently 1 1/2 weeks in

you'll need more light than that. I'd stick w/the 42w's.....but i'd add like 12 of em by the time they start flowering. myfirst grow area was 2x2x4 and i had 22 of them in there. lol

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Oh wow, thats a bit larger in scale than I was wanting to go (at least for now)... 22 lights... Moderation, man, moderation, haha. I am in the process of restricing my grow area conciderably this weekend as well. I want to see how many of these babies pop over the next couple days to see how much reduction in area I am going to go. I have two rising from the ashes, and the third is still being shy. I am sure I will eventually get to that scale your talking about though. But for now, I am going to keep it fairly moderate. Especially not knowing much about the current strain I am vegging (bagseed).

the only thing i can say is 42w all the way. the watt to lumen ratio is the most efficiant and economical. i myself in the beginning grew a single plant on a single 42w bulb all the way threw. i got 9 grams from it but than again it was less than a foot tall with a single cola and a couple pop corn buds. this ex mom was vegged under 2 42w and is now flowering under 6. currently 1 1/2 weeks in

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Big believer in the 42s, huh. Good deal, thats the backing I was looking for. I will be sticking with the 42s then. I did run across a thread talking about the efficiency here which has further solidified the decision.

Now one more question... Now that the 42w has been agreed upon and the 23w has been shoo'ed out in comparison.... Grower001, are your veggie 42s, 6500K? And if so did you keep them mounted and simply added 4 more 2700K, 42w bulbs? Or did you simply keep em all at the 6500K area. I ask because I have read a lot on here about the 2700Ks being far superior during the flowing stage.

And darkdestruction420... What is the ratio of all those bulbs you have in regards to kelvins?

By the way, you cats are Awesome for this info... No price can be put on such amazing and knowledgeable information and advice.

5000-6500k Veg 2700-3000k Flower. I, personally, started with 4/1 ratio of 5000k/2700k and flipped the ratio when I went to 12/12. I've added a 150w HPS since then, which has been awesome to my plant so far.

32-42w with the kelvin temps I said in the beginning are the best way to go IMO.