Whats the deal with adding lumens?

So im still confused by NOT being able to add lumens. I have 2 Sunblaze 24w T5 tubes at 2000 lumens each, however, someone told me that yes there is 2 tubes but my overall lumen output is still only 2000 lumens??? I read the lumen sticky but im still confused....please someone explain in pot head terms!!

Also, if lumens dont add whats the point of having (4) 45w CFL's if the lumen output is only total to one CFL? Because Ive seen on here alot of people using multiple of the same CFL and there plants look good, so Im curious?

on meter's they don't add up don't know why, but if you have one 2000 lumen bulb and you add another, that does make 4000 lumens or else everyone that uses more than one cfl bulb is wasting their money. right?.

They mean that if you put them side by side it's still 2000 lumens... maybe a little more, but if they are spread out it adds lumens in the area it's covering... get it?

You must first understand some basics of how light works.

This is fairly indepth but read what you want of it. Light and Plants

oh...I get it, its about "light area" that makes sense. So it would be smart then to put one of my T5's right above the plants and the other screwed into the wall vertically huh?

This is fairly indepth but read what you want of it. Light and Plants

Click to expand...

I read the lumen parts......it sounded to me that basically (1) or more CFL's is only equal to (1) in terms of lumens, UNLESS they are spread out to illuminate more square feet. right?

You got it now Dan! and Yes, you're right about one on top and one screwed in vertically. Perfect setup, maybe get another and screw it vertically on the other side. That would be an awesome setup... have an adjustment for height. Lol I'm giving my self ideas here.

The point of adding more CFLs is not to create more lumens, but to cover a larger area with those lumens. More lights cover more area, meaning more (or simply bigger) plants.

I hate botany with a passion, but if i understand it the plant grows to the light, so if light is everywhere itll grow everywhere. If the light is up then it will grow up. Now there are lots of ways to take advantage of these in certain circumstances. Like in ScOG, lighting on the side would be pointless.

So if i got it right, more light coverage per plant=bigger plant=more bud=more friends?

Haha more friends, of course... they want your bud!
But when you run out...