Input on lighting, opinions wanted.

I am doing a 2 level wardrobe. This is my first attempt. The interior space per level is 20" deep x36" wide. I picked up a 2' 4 bulb t5 fixture for each level (see photo below) and feel like it won't be enough light. I have 2 additional 40w cfls for each level for supplemental lighting.

The total power output of each t5 fixture is 96 watts, plus an additional 80 from the supplemental cfls. 176 watts per level over about 5 square feet.

Anyone have input on if this should be enough for flowering? I know more is typically better, but I don't want to be going overboard if I don't have to.

The plants right now are 26 days since I began germination, so I have a little time to work with still before I need to have the flowering space set up, as I still need to take clones and veg them in preparation for flowering.

Thanks for input.

I'll add a couple photos for shits (and everyone likes photos).

Photos:
-t5 fixtures
- wardrobe in closet
-plant 2 OG Kush fem
-plant 1 OG Kush fem
-stealth speaker veg room (the middle speaker is actually a louvered exhaust with carbon filter.

Fyi, the t5 fixture claims 8000 lumens, and each cfl claims 3000, for 14000 lumens per level, or approximately 3000 lumens per sq ft.

more lights needed, 6ft/sq = 240w

your at 35 watts a foot. if anything just fill the empty spaces with spiral cfl's as flowering gets going.

While t5 ho does work for flowering you need alot more and you need to scrog to maximize the short range of the t5. While t5 ho does put out a lot of par it quickly drops the farther away you get from the bulbs. Scrog wirh short plants is the best way to go. Im using a 4ft 8 bulb t5 ho lamp with a good reflector 6500k bulbs over 4 plants about 3-4 weeks old. The light is about 6 inches frome the tops of the plants. When I flower i switch to 2700k bulbs. I also had a bunch of 24inch t5 ho single lamps on the sides for more coverage, this time i will scrog and add led grow lights. While t5 ho is great when used right it can come close to hps.

Awesome info, Thanks for the advice. I was considering scrog lately, but originally planned on good lst and supercroping. Since i have two levels, maybe ill train the top level and scrog the lower level.

Have you been able to go closer than 6" without stressing/bleaching/burning? Depending on plant stretch, height could be a minor issue for my space.

I had considered adding some single T5 fixtures for supplemental lights on the sides in the future.

Your close. Walmart has some single 24 and 36 t5 grow fixtures for less than ten bucks a piece. Get one or two of those for the top on each level. That and the extra cfl will do it.

T5 ho get hot. I'm running a 4 ft 8 bulb (432 watts) in a 2x4 wardrobe. I keep my bulbs about 10 inches away.

Check out @RM3 grows. He is straight t5.

T5 ho are designed for high bay lighting and for penetrating a couple feet of water to grow corral. They have more penetration than people give them credit. And yes you can burn and bleach plants with them. Start out high and then lower your bulbs.

Good feedback, i bought some supplies and Will have the 96w t5, plus four 40w (2 6000k, 2 3000k) on each level for 256w per level.

That should be more than enough.

I installed my carbon filter today and was hoping it would bring the temp down more than it did. I'm a bit concerned about what the temp will be once i have everything set up in there. I may have to install a second filter/fan, or get a considerably more powerful fan. I only have one 3" intake port at the mement, so perhaps another intake port will help. I've only got the four 40w cfls in there right now and the temp is 82°F with lights on, 72°F lights off.

On a happy note, thanks to the carbon filter, the whole floor doesn't stink anymore! As much as i love the smell, i don't want company wondering. Haha

May still get the single t5 fixtures you suggested in the future. I started a grow journal, ill probably continue this thread there in the near future.

https://www.rollitup.org/t/stealth-closet-perpetual-og-kush.891378/#post-12109531

TommyDuhCat said:

Awesome info, Thanks for the advice. I was considering scrog lately, but originally planned on good lst and supercroping. Since i have two levels, maybe ill train the top level and scrog the lower level.

Have you been able to go closer than 6" without stressing/bleaching/burning? Depending on plant stretch, height could be a minor issue for my space.

I had considered adding some single T5 fixtures for supplemental lights on the sides in the future.

Click to expand...

Oh yeah you can get a lot closer thqn 6 inches. As long as heat is not an issue you can have the plants 1-2 inches from the bulbs but not contact with the bulbs or you will burn the plant, ask me how i know....

Haha, don't need to ask!

I'll make sure good air circulation and heat management is a priority.