T-8

[captainendoe]

is it pretty safe that t-8's suck just as bad as the t-12s and my best bang for my buck is to go with cfls? I have a three in one meter and it confirmed this but also said that the cfl is brighter then my single t-5 h/o.

[319]

ACF Indoor Plant Grow Lights & Information Guide (http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/guide3.shtml)

I wouldn't say that T12 or T8 suck. When I first started growing I received a free 4 bulb T12 lamp and used that to veg. Shortly after that I bought a 4 bulb T8 lamp. Just recently I bought an 8 bulb T5 lamp (435w). Now I've noticed an increase in growth from the T12 compared to T5, but honestly I wish I didn't buy the T5 and kept the T12 or just bought a 600MH or HPS.

Why?
1. T5 8 bulb produces alot of heat, and evacuation of heat needs to occur. You can burn your hand touching the bulb.
2. 600w at 18 hours cost 2 dollars more a month to run compared to my T5.
3. Plants will grow faster using MH or HPS compared to any CFL, T-whatever.

What is your veg size?

[boaz]

is it pretty safe that t-8's suck just as bad as the t-12s and my best bang for my buck is to go with cfls? I have a three in one meter and it confirmed this but also said that the cfl is brighter then my single t-5 h/o.

I was just wondering was the T5 a 2 ft or 4 ft bulb? I'm no expert but I seem to recall that the 4 fts. are much more efficient, something like 50% more lumens per inch than the 2 ft. ones. I haven't bought one yet but considering a 4x4 or maybe just an hps. thanks for all the tips on this thread!