supplementing 400w HPS w/ cfl or t5

mudballs

Well-Known Member

• Dec 1, 2014

• #1

so i'm in the market for supplementing my 400hps. i'm considering 2 batwing cfl 125w-250w in the 6000k but i've also heard a bunch of good things about t5's. so looking for input about the subject of supplementing. lighting has so many darn options i can't nail anything down as clear winner.
thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

FrozenChozen

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #2

mudballs said:

so i'm in the market for supplementing my 400hps. i'm considering 2 batwing cfl 125w-250w in the 6000k but i've also heard a bunch of good things about t5's. so looking for input about the subject of supplementing. lighting has so many darn options i can't nail anything down as clear winner.
thanks in advance for any assistance.

Click to expand...

Use some cree LED screw-ins instead of CFL.... Way better than cfl IMO.... High wattage CFL's create WAY too much heat

 

mudballs

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #3

no i'm not gonna do that led shit yet. cost prohibitive. but i do like how you used a 21v pc power unit in your other thread frozen. very innovative. im a tech oriented diy guy and could make an elaborate board just not the right thing for me at this time.

 

GemuGrows

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #4

Have you considered just moving up to a 600w hps?

Just thinking if you are adding 200w of floros maybe just add 200w of hps?

Of course that may not be what you are going for.

I used mostly a T-5 my last grow (the one in my sig) and I love it, I think i'll continue using T-5 at least to veg for a very long time, if you have the room I would suggest a T-5.

If you want to clip a bunch of lights on places that your 400w isnt reaching, definitely go with CFL's. They cost about $20 for 46w

 

mudballs

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #5

ah cool first person input on t5. i was thinking two of the 125w cfls one on each end of the HPS. they're $47 ea but i could also get two 2lamp 2ft t5ho for $47 ea. so for the same money pretty much i can choose. similar lumens similar footprint.i guess electrical is an issue which is why im not just getting another 400hps for the same amount.its also a spectrum supplement.i mean correct me if im wrong but it looks like i could get the same thing from 48watts of t5ho as i can from the 125w cfl...confused.

 

PorterRockwell

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #6

 

TheChemist77

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #7

it depends on how ur gonna use the lighting, for spot lighting use cfl, but for side lighting or under light go T5, the replacement bulbs for t5 a re cheaper and you can buy them in 6500 or 2700 k..i use a 150 cfl in my clone,veg area and T5's for veg and supliment in flower, i use the 4' single strips and love that i can switch the bulbs for veg and flower.. sunblaster strip w/ via volt 6500 and 2700 k bulbs..i lika alot

 

TheChemist77

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #8

i also have a bloombox from bc northern lights and in the flower side it has a 400 hps above and 2 T5's below, really increaces lower bud size and promotes bottom branch stretch.. i think the T5's are definatly worth the investment as they can be used for anything..a friend of mine uses the 6 strip T5 for veg and flower, gets nice small compact buds, but cant really be compared to hid lighting in my opinion, better than cfls? idk both have their pros n cons i guess

 

mudballs

Well-Known Member

• Dec 2, 2014

• #9

thorough answer chemist thanks..i think that clinched it