Are t8 lights viable for Veg?

Hey all. I happen to have a 6500k 6 lamp t8 fixture that will fit perfectly into my 4'x4' veg tent. I am planning my grow and debating on whether it is worthwhile to get t5 fluorescents or a cheap full spectrum LED for veg. I am already dropping a grand on my flower lights so I don't necessarily have budget to buy more lights at the moment. Will the t8s do ok for veg only to start off with? Or do I need to scrounge my couch cushions for some more cash to buy a more suitable veg light?

I think they will be just fine.

I still use my homemade bank of T-12s for smaller plants so T-8s will do just fine. 18 years ago I used four 2-tube. 4ft shop lights to make my unit on a piece of plywood. Mounted the tube ends closer together, 2.5" centers with the ballasts on the back. Each pair of lights has a quick-connect plug on it's power wire so I can run 2, 4, 6, or all 8 tubes but by the time I need 8 it's using 320 watts so I'll switch to a 400w MH light and get much stronger light for better growth.

Spend your money on better flowering lights if you think you need more light. Plenty of other places to spend money to improve your growing too.

Good luck!

everest_dope said:

Will the t8s do ok for veg only to start off with

Click to expand...

F Yeah they will....

I have a few I have used in past.
I suggest keeping them within a few inches of top of plants.

My clones start under t12s then move to this t8, then into a tent under t5s and finish in a tent under 315 cmh. Keep it close and stretch shouldn't be a serious issue.

I actually broke down and got some t8 led tubes. My old t8 bulbs were wrecked when I went to get my light fixture out of storage. These buggers put out a lot of light! I'm sure if I keep it close to the plants it'll be just fine. Plants go into my veg tent under this bad boy next week. I had to bypass the ballast and replace the tombstones but it wasn't too hard.