T5 HO Fluorescent for Vegetative Growth?

GreenSmurfet · Jun 4, 2007

Hello Everyone
I was thinking about getting a 4ft 4 bulb T5 high output fluorescent lamp just for vegetative growth. This lamp has a grow area of 4 x 2.5 and has a total of 20,000 lumens. Whats attracting me to this lamp is its low heat and wattage.

http://www.specialty-lights.com/960200.html

Will 20,000 lumens be enough for 10 plants? or will I be wasting more time in the veg stage with this lamp?

Is a cool blue 600w HPS (50,000 lumens) be a better move for about 10 plants in the veg stage? And just bite the bullet with the extra wattage and heat.

Thank You for your time.

bigetupac · Jun 4, 2007

Actually, theres a thread poppin' off right now indoors about CFLs vs. Fluoro vs. HPS: here

Last time i checked, the CFLs were doing the best with the veg, while most expect the HPS to significantly beat CFL and tube fluoro in flowering.

A lot of people like the T5 fluoro for clones because they can provide sufficient light over a long space, and some good T5s will serve their purpose for you.

Remember a good rule of thumb is AT LEAST 3,000 lumens per square foot, 20,000/10 = 2,000, this may not be enough you should shoot for at least 10,000 more lumens if u want to grow 10 plants.

bwbig · Jun 4, 2007

That thread shows using a T12 floro, HUGE difference between a T5 and a T12.

A T5 will smoke a CFL, but I believe a sodium is the best overall if heat is not an issue.

I'm using a T5 light your thinking of getting, been working great so far (Vegged 12 plants). Once the plants are out of the seedling stage, you can get the plants 1-2 inches away from the light with no problems. Real low heat, nice big space it lights up. Look up some of the posts I have posted, I have some pics of the plants under a T5 in there.

Cheers,
-bwbig

UserFriendly · Jun 4, 2007

t5s r the shit. hps is even better. heat will be an issue but if you aren't already planning for ventilation you won't get a nice harvest anyway. get the hps now and plan on a separate veg room with t5s in the future.

green_nobody · Jun 4, 2007

GreenSmurfet said:
Hello Everyone
I was thinking about getting a 4ft 4 bulb T5 high output fluorescent lamp just for vegetative growth. This lamp has a grow area of 4 x 2.5 and has a total of 20,000 lumens. Whats attracting me to this lamp is its low heat and wattage.

http://www.specialty-lights.com/960200.html

Will 20,000 lumens be enough for 10 plants? or will I be wasting more time in the veg stage with this lamp?

Is a cool blue 600w HPS (50,000 lumens) be a better move for about 10 plants in the veg stage? And just bite the bullet with the extra wattage and heat.

Thank You for your time.

that is more then i got in my veg with T5's and sure enough to veg with well. HPS are only recommended for veg if you happen to have a dual spec bulb with at least 20%+ in the blue spec. but since those are heavy on the tag and less potent in flower they are not too common anyway. i would stay with those T5's

green_nobody · Jun 4, 2007

UserFriendly said:
t5s r the shit. hps is even better. heat will be an issue but if you aren't already planning for ventilation you won't get a nice harvest anyway. get the hps now and plan on a separate veg room with t5s in the future.

are you sure on your statement regarding T5's? :roll: