Can I use a regular 2000k bulb or a 6500k CFL as long as I adjust the timer to 12/12 hours?

question from a fellow grower:

I use a BCNL Bloom Box. Long story but I currently have 4 old mother plants still in pots flowering in the box that I hand water. My seeds are doing so well I may need to take the flowering moms out a little early. I dont have anyway to power a HPS bulb outside the box. Can I use a regular 2000k bulb or a 6500k CFL as long as I adjust the timer to 12/12 hours? I have lighting outside the box for mother plants but no ballast access. I’m not expecting a lot out of these flowering mothers. It was just a have to situation to keep something growing.

If going to keep flowering then a 2000k bulb would be best on 12hr light schedule

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THANKS !!! That’s what I thought but wanted to check with a pro. Hopefully I never get in this situation again.

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The plants will flower regardless of cct of the lamp. 6500k just doesn’t have as much red to trigger desired plant responses when flowering. cfl’s also have pretty low efficacy, so it takes a lot of power to provide neccessary energy to get good flowering results.

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