LED Without LEDs -My First T5 Grow

do you have access to the attic above the room? are there windows etc?
It may be possible to re-insulate the room in the attic above and prevent a large amount of the heat from entering that room... also if that room gets that hot i would suggest checking our roof vent make sure you have enough airflow.. if that room has windows i would suggest getting the 3m NIGHT VISION WINDOW FILM it blocks 75% of the heat from the sun. And USing a "GROW TENT" will isolate the plants in a "micro environment" less cooling required!

Not so hard for me i posted links for insulation that blocks IR both on the windows and in the room... then suggested a "grow tent which is much easier to climate control... depending on the room size they make grow tents 8'x8' which would be a room in a room... that would be WAY easier to control temps even in the hottest of rooms... i use a tent because i have a room that has no ac just 1 window and is south facing.. its 88 outside and 73 in the tent...no ac.. the window tint helps alot and IR insulation does a good job repelling the heat transfer through the walls...if you add an evap cooler in a large tent you can keep temps pretty kool!

Updates!!!!

Prof, plants look good and I'm really liking this thread too...
I've always been interested in T5's but in the end I went and bought a HPS/MH 400w setup.
I haven't even started growing yet and I'm already liking the look of a T5 setup, oh well...

Really interested to see how this all turns out!

Im just trying to get the stigma of T5 out of peoples mind.. This is NOT a LED or T5 thread but a hybrid style... I am the ONLY one using this setup. and am the first to do the research! Im taking the efficiency of single spectrum growing like LED with the output of T5. I grew with a 400 and after this grow im selling my ballast and bulbs! no more HID for me EVER!
there are lots of flamers and ignorant people that im trying to cure of their kool-aid sickness. HID's are great but they have had their 15 mins.. LED and plasma are on the way! My T5 setup is for EXPERIMENTAL purposes only.. this isnt about yield or the perfect grow.. but to test the technology and method.. if i can grow a better healthier crop WITHOUT white light and CHEAPER than LED its WIN WIN!!

Bud pr0n anyone?

As you can see the lights are Pretty Damn Bright... and the light is evenly spaced along the growing area with no one point of origin for the light. the dispersion pattern give me more even lighting! i have itty bitty leaves growing at the base of my plants....ALL THE TIME... if there wasn't light down there they wouldn't grow i say penetration is pretty damn good...

pr0fesseur said:

Bud pr0n anyone?

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looking good.

I have a 4' 6 bulb T-5. What would you suggest for your bulb arrangement according to the wavelength and bulb types that you use?

9 bulbs total...3 to switch out
in this order too....

UVL 454 w/internal reflector
Fuji Purple
UVL Super Actinic w/internal reflector
ATI T5 12000K Aquablue Special
UVL 75.25 w/internal reflector
Fuji Purple

3. UVL Red Sun
when you bloom add the red sun bulbs where the actinic (blue) ones are (75.25, 454, Super Actinic)

how much does a light setup such as this cost?

20$ per 4' bulb on average including shipping.
then whatever fixture you get... I bought the quantum because of its lightweight design and great noiseless ballasts. They make a 16 bulb lamp....

pr0fesseur said:

20$ per 4' bulb on average including shipping.
then whatever fixture you get... I bought the quantum because of its lightweight design and great noiseless ballasts. They make a 16 bulb lamp....

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Would you mind pointing me in the right direction, possibly where you bought everything? I see you stalk the forum like I do ha

pr0fesseur said:

9 bulbs total...3 to switch out
in this order too....

UVL 454 w/internal reflector
Fuji Purple
UVL Super Actinic w/internal reflector
ATI T5 12000K Aquablue Special
UVL 75.25 w/internal reflector
Fuji Purple

3. UVL Red Sun
when you bloom add the red sun bulbs where the actinic (blue) ones are (75.25, 454, Super Actinic)

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not trying to say its a waste of money or anything like that but, if you dont live around a pet store that carried them its like 25 "on the low end" a bulb and at 9 thats 225 bucks and with a badboy thats almost 500 bucks i know i spent alot on my t5 in 08 there is no way i would pay that now when hps are dirt cheap now. so what i am trying to get at is why not just buy two blackstars?

My badboy was $175 8 bulb.. ya the 16bulb is 529 EBAY i use http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/ for my bulbs....15.99-24$ depending on the bulb...prices have come WAY down since 08..
I save money on cooling (NONE) and Electricity

wait your saying your t5 puts off no heat?

lowdime said:

wait your saying your t5 puts off no heat?

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I have played with T5's before, the ones I had put out very little heat, so really no reason to have serious cooling on... a Fan does just fine.

I noticed you have the several spectums, are you noticing any of the plants possibly enjoying one of the spectrums more than another?