T5 grow cabinet from Homegrown hydroponics

[fatfreddy]

Anybody know how good the cabinet from Homegrown Hydroponics the one using the tek5 florescent is?
Jumbo Stealth Grow Cabinet v2.0 w/ Tek Lite T5 (8 Tube) Floro System & 5-40 Plant Aeroponic Hydroponic System w/ Co2!! (http://www.homegrown-hydroponics.com/justgrcaw40c.html)

[jamstigator]

Looks pretty nice. Not all of their info is correct though. An 8-bulb 4-foot T5 fixture emits 40,000 lumens, which is a far cry from the 145,000 lumens of a 1k HPS system, yet they say it emits almost the same light. I don't think 40,000 is 'almost' 145,000, no matter how bad at math you are. But you can get that system with the 1k light anyway, so not a big deal.

[fatfreddy]

what would the T5 balast be equvilant too a 400w
??

[jamstigator]

Not quite, but close. 400-watt HPS with good bulb = 55,000 lumens. T5 eight-bulb four-foot fixture = 40,000 lumens. Far less heat with the T5s though; that's their big advantage.

[fatfreddy]

So how many plants would be optimal for those bulbs?

[jamstigator]

Could probably grow six decent-sized bushes under one. Or four and do a SCroG, that'd be best, to keep the buds more or less at the same height, so you could lower the Tek light really close to all of them. I have a nice T5 4' eight-bulb light. I only use it for veg, but it's a nice light.

[BobBong]

T5's that are full spectrum should be used as seedling,veg and clone lighting only.

You'll get pretty sad results if you flower under T5's from what i've heard

[fatfreddy]

Ya thanks guys myswell spend a little more and get it with 1000w MH/HPS think it will go good?Can i Do it in an apartment?

[growinkind]

yep 1000 watt is the way 2 go... i plan on getting the 40 plant kit with the 1000 watt and doing sog. always have healthy 2" - 6" cuttings ready then flowering straight from the start with a good indica strain. they can grow incredible.

[growinkind]

o yes i will b doing it.. if anything electric may go about around 40 - 50 bucks, might consider throwin a ac in the window.. thats what i plan on doing...

[fatfreddy]

Ya the caretaker would notice it in an apartement for sure the cops would be like at my door,i think the only option would be the T5 and im not gonna spend it if the buds arent gonna be good

[growinkind]

i think if the grower would have flowered after mayb his second pic post his yields would have been much greater.. although it looks like a sativa strain which produces less and streches alot more. for indoor go indica.. my 2 cents... but experiment with it ant perfect what does best for u. i dunno if he really got 5.75 dry... mayb qp at most i would guess.. i have grown under floros b4 and most i can say with (exception of t5) dont compare to a 600 watt HPS horto bulb.... im still debating on which grow cabinet to go with... its gonna b from homegrown hydros unless i find the perfect cabinet to transform... im very interested in the same one u are.. ive been doing sum reading as i am writing.... and if u get the t5 like me im gonna also get 2 - 2' bulbs for each end to run top 2 bottom.. peacehttp://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-growing/85332-new-wave-t5-grow-im-now-believer.html

[growinkind]

hps 600 watt creates 65000 lumens as to a t5 creates 40000.. so if like me u get 6 t5 2' bulbs at each end thats 24000.. add that 2 forty and u get 64000 lumens ... u can easily save $600 dollars a year on electric running t5.. plus u can run mutiple lights on one plug because of low power needed... this is what i plan on doing in the grow cab u suggested.. that way the ones on the side can be mounted as they grow to penetrate from each end into the canopy.... think of it like this a hps bulb is at one centeral point.. so when the light leaves the bulb it travels in outward direction loosing strength as it travels... but a t5 is suspended above with 4 ft long tubes that let light travel evenly down... out a little but mostly down.. thats y the plants on that post are so damn bushy.. Just make sure to get the warm bulbs!!! And also these damn bulbs can touch ur buds!! with no heat trouble! believe it! im a believer now 2.. t5 is less power, more money, but saved in a couple seasons, holds lumens power longer, nearly heat less, and light can be smashed right up to your plants.. buds can touch! peace

[jamstigator]

600-watt HPS light with a good bulb = 95000 lumens. My 400-watt light generates 55000 lumens. So, T5s don't save power. My T5 light (eight-bulb, 4-foot) takes 432 watts for 40000 lumens, so less light than a 400-watt HPS light, and it takes more power. T5s do generate a lot less heat though, that's true. Not nearly as good with canopy penetration though, or light/energy efficiency.

Each T5 4' bulb generates 5000 lumens, so you'd need 19 bulbs to equal the 95000 lumens of a 600-watt HPS light. Each 4' bulb takes 54 watts of power though, so that'd be 1026 watts of T5s to equal the light from 600 watts of HPS. So, T5s are a a bit better than half as efficient, power-wise.

I use mine solely for veg, for this reason. You *can* flower with them (with warm bulbs), but don't expect the same results that a 400+ watt HPS light would give.