buzzon
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I use the 6 light 4ft t5's for veg (Amazon $135 Cdn ) on top and one along side for a bit extra side lighting ($50) . If I get too much foliage I'll add led pot lights to help penetrate the canopy. I go from there to a 1000w hps, so I can't help with your flower light but I like the T5 lights because of the heat they generate is perfect for my room & I can keep the lights right on top of the plants without burning them 1-2" away.I have a 2'x3.5' closet space I started some stuff in last yr with a 70 watt hps, and a few 2' t8 plant lights. I'm wanted to upgrade a bit, and last fall I got a great deal on a 2'x2' 8 bulb t5 light with 8 bulbs for veg and 8 for flower. The T5 is capable of running just 4 of the bulbs, or all 8 controlled by 2 switches. Without looking up the stats again this light (according to the bulb wattage) uses 200 watts at the wall. The plan is to start beans and run them for perhaps a month at the outside. The exception is..... I may start some regs and sex them to grow out a mother plant or two to take cuts from before they're set out themselves. I was thinking of buying a spider farmer sf 1000 as an upgrade, as it pulls just 125 watts and the wall from what I remember. The electricity cost leans me towards going for the SF light, but my question is besides being more efficient .... is the SF light worlds better than this 8 bulb T5?
I use the 6 light 4ft t5's for veg (Amazon $135 Cdn ) on top and one along side for a bit extra side lighting ($50) . If I get too much foliage I'll add led pot lights to help penetrate the canopy. I go from there to a 1000w hps, so I can't help with your flower light but I like the T5 lights because of the heat they generate is perfect for my room & I can keep the lights right on top of the plants without burning them 1-2" away.
I keep them a 3-4 inches away, they can get closer and don't burn until they touch the lamp. I ran T8's for years I have a closed store full of them but I like t5's more. I get a better light with more intensity that penetrates the canopy a bit better.Interesting.... What heights are you starting seeds at? cuttings? I ran T8's 1/2" to 1" away to start them, but I had it in my head the T5's needed more distance.
If it's an unheated space, a small MH might be your best bet. But if it's only for starting plants, you might just stick with the t-5s.I knew that would get a response, and I appreciate it guys.
No doubt the sf1000 is the better option for efficiency and end product if it goes to finish. The 2' x 3.5' space is just to start them, and perhaps to keep a plant for cuttings till summer. The space is in a unheated room, and right now the T5 and a seeding mat only get it up to 60 degrees. I replaced the seeding mat with a small 70 watt hps that gets hot as hell this am, and am keeping an eye on it. Hopefully I can get it up to 75-80 with lights on. I'm thinking the sf1000 would put off less heat than 8 - 2' T5's which is good for summer, but not so much at the moment. I got the T5 with 8 veg and 8 flower bulbs for 20 bucks. I believe The sf1000 will win out in the end, and maybe i can pass the T5 along.
Same feeling. T5s for the win till past early veg. After early veg for most of my plants , I go LED but T5 LEDS are an option if you want to save bank not having to buy another fixture. Obviously hps/mh are also options depending on heat/temp demands.I keep them a 3-4 inches away, they can get closer and don't burn until they touch the lamp. I ran T8's for years I have a closed store full of them but I like t5's more. I get a better light with more intensity that penetrates the canopy a bit better.
Totally agree!! They are bright as heeeeeell! i got 8 LED t5 HO and for just 160 watts im growing a jungle of clones, veggin them till theyr ready to flowerT5 LEDS are an option if you want to save bank not having to buy another fixture.
I've heard this before about penetration issues but with side lighting with 1 t5 I'm not having that problem. When I last looked the HO tubes were about the same price as the led replacement strips but I stuck with what I know and I like the t5's. I used t8's for years with success ... vegging.Totally agree!! They are bright as heeeeeell! i got 8 LED t5 HO and for just 160 watts im growing a jungle of clones, veggin them till theyr ready to flower
The old fluorescent t5 penetration issues are gone with the switch to led...
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