nice substitute to pricey hydro specific fluorescents

[1971]

Home Depot has a Hi-Bay 6 light t-8 setup that looks a whole lot like the quantum bad boys but only $79.

Since I use fluor. for vegging, I'm not concerned about those overpriced 50+ wattt lamps.

 

[fishwhistle]

interesting question,id like to know if there is any difference also.

 

[motherlode]

t-8 is not as high output as t5 - which the bad boy is

I pulled stats off a bulb website for 4 footers

t-8
Light Output: 1800 Lumens
Energy Used: 32 watts
Type:T8

shop light
Light Output: 3550 Lumens
Energy Used: 40 Watts
Type: T10

t-5
Light Output: 4450 Lumens
Energy Used: 54 watts
Bulb Type: T5

20 dollar shop light would seem to be better then the t-8s

 

[RareDanknessRep]

I've been putting together cheapo shoplights for early veg for like 20 bucks each from Home Depot & Walmart - I kinda got nervous about spectrum, so I've been finishing under MHs, but if I can put those kilowatt hours towards the flower room, that'd be awesome! Does it matter what type of flourescent bulb you put in the fixture?

 

[motherlode]

i do my clones under regular cool white bulbs man - works like a charm - once they get to about 4-5" or are in the way I throw them under t-5s

flowering might be a diferent story though and I have never used any flouros for flower

I have to say Im tempted to try and flower some short bushes under my 8 banger t5 - may happen in the future if I run out of room

 

[mikeb437]

what about the cfl's, do they give off a better light than the t5's?

 

[motherlode]

never tried cfls - but honestly I have never seen anything veg so nice as t5s and Im a big mh fan

 

[1971]

the thing to remember is that you don't need high output lamps for vegging clones nor do you need fancy plant specific lamps. i have clones that are now 12" under my t-8's and they are bushing and compact :)

now if you flower with fluorescents, well, you shouldn't be doing that.

 

[1971]

I guess what I wanted to show was that their is a much cheaper solution to the high priced fluor. options at hydro stores. if you look in my gallery, you'll see a couple pics of my clones and they look pretty decent at a fraction of the quantums

 

[recreationaluse]

imo for vegging ive had just as good luck with t5, t8, or even t12. they will all do really good if you stay under 12-16" plant heigth. t5 is REALLY GOOD if u want to get taller or if you want the luxury of being able to put some distance between tops and lights

 

[1971]

exactly... the bottom line is that you don't need pricey hydro specific units and this hibay light from HD is really good value for the price.

 

[1971]

woops