High Output T5s vs. CFLs: Your thoughts

Hello, RIU! After a couple years of research and an apartment all my own I've finally decided to start my first grow. I'm planning on using a dresser (36"h x 31"w x 16"d) and hanging a 4 x 24" HO floro unit up top and using 1 more up each corner (each tube = 24 watts/2000 lumens) for a total of 192 watts/16000 lumens. I'll also have at least 3 x 4" pc fans (one intake at bottom, one intake at top, one exhaust/DIY carbon scrubber across from intake up top) for ventilation. I'll probably be trying LST due to space limitations and thought the tubes would do a good job of evenly distributing the light across the entire canopy. Single CFLs may come in alongside the 4 tube unit or altogether replace it if certain colas require a little extra attention into flowering. What do you think? Any suggestions as per strain as I'll be limited height-wise? I just want to see if I can get something to harvest and taste the fruits of my labour! Down the road the unit will probably make a pretty nice cloning/mother unit. Thanks!

Let me update this thread. After much deliberation I think I've decided to go with an all-CFL grow as opposed to a T5 HO grow mainly due to costs/accessibility of items. I have another question, though. Would I be better off using lower-wattage CFLs due to their higher lumen/watt ratios? For example, a 42 watt CFL produces 2800 lumens = 66.6 l/w whereas a 23 watt CFL producing 1600 lumens has a lumen/watt ratio of 69.6. Is the only apparent advantage to using higher-wattage CFLs the amount of trouble positioning so many smaller lights that close to the plants presents? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I'm getting very eager to start my grow and would like to have a good crop! Happy growing

The only thing with my experience with CFL's is it doesn't seem to matter the size of the light the leaves can't touch them for long without burning, so don't expect to have leafs leaning on the lights.

The 42w lights are larger and they seem to light well. Right now I have 3 plants flowering off 14 CFL lights. (only 2 are 42watt)

Dunno if that helps or not. I would run them on the side and top if you could, I only run mine on the side. Check my journal in my sig for pics if you want.

I grew a really nice bushy NL sativa off two 6800K bulbs, one being the 100w incadescent equivalent from the top and a 13w small bulb shining from the bottom. It was producing real nice trichomes from the top and bottom of the leafs but I never had it long enough to finish it out. :/ long story but my friends killed it.

Just for the fact, I used t5's only to vegetate at first if I had multiple plants and raised the bulbs when they got taller.

Gidget - Thanks for the info. Your grow looks AWESOME! Congrats! I wasn't planning on having any leaves close enough to any lights so they'd be in danger of burning and I see that shouldn't be a problem as my grow area's just about the same dimensions as yours was! And I've definitely been thinking more about using more 23 watt bulbs and adding only a few 42 watt bulbs for some extra penetration beneath the canopy when things really start to bush out.

Phoenix - I've heard of growers having good results when they have lights coming from as many directions as possible. I'm definitely going to add some spotlights beneath and on the sides of the plants to increase light intensity/bud production I've also got a bit of room to work with height-wise. I'll probably start with whatever lights I do use a bit further away then adjust as needed to find the optimal height.

Now I'm even more excited to start my grow Thanks again for the help, guys!

I didn't read youre post.But cfl's make you urge more power bad!But it's a start.

Haha, I can definitely see that being a problem, Oregon! I'm definitely set on maintaining a low-budget first grow. I've got pages and pages of notes so I'm really hoping for a good grow and I'm already thinking bigger than my dresser. I'll keep you all posted!

im thinking about upgrading my cab with two daylight 23s and a 13.. ive got a normal household 13 w in my cab right now..trying to start 2 seedlings

any suggestions i live near a wal mart so i can get whatever bulb i need there..