T5 vs HPS

Used a 2ftx4ft 8 bulb T5 Newwave fixture plus 2 additional fixtures on the sides to try to penetrate the canopy. Planted 10 seeds of Jordan of the Island GodBud. 2 males 8 females. This is way to many to put under the T5's as I have done it before with 5 plants and it was a nightmare. So I went our and purchased a 400w HPS and divided the plants up 4 and 4. PLants then put into flower at week 5. It was my intention to run each light with 4 plants and then compare yield. I threw this out the window at day 8. The plants under the HPS had grown to 20inches with sidestalks galore. The T5's were struggling along at 10 inches, don't get me wrong, they were very bushy and sturdy and thick with yellow to light green leaves in the canopy that cannot be reached. Well, I felt bad about losing yield if I stayed true to the experient so I bailed on it. I now rotate the 8 plants every other day so they all get a good dose of the HPS.

What are you using to veg 'em? You can veg with HPS, too...and it's much better than the fluorescents or CFL's. Tiz overkill with young seedlings and clones, tho.

Of all the things my hydro shop has recommended the 2ft 4 bulb t5 setup is my favorite. Perfect for veg, esp for spots with low clearance/iffy ventilation. No good for flowering though...

I agree the T5 is great for veg and can even go thru flowering but you sure do sacrifice alot and spend alot of time tucking fan leaves out of the way.

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Originally Posted by turksteelman

Used a 2ftx4ft 8 bulb T5 Newwave fixture plus 2 additional fixtures on the sides to try to penetrate the canopy. Planted 10 seeds of Jordan of the Island GodBud. 2 males 8 females. This is way to many to put under the T5's as I have done it before with 5 plants and it was a nightmare. So I went our and purchased a 400w HPS and divided the plants up 4 and 4. PLants then put into flower at week 5. It was my intention to run each light with 4 plants and then compare yield. I threw this out the window at day 8. The plants under the HPS had grown to 20inches with sidestalks galore. The T5's were struggling along at 10 inches, don't get me wrong, they were very bushy and sturdy and thick with yellow to light green leaves in the canopy that cannot be reached. Well, I felt bad about losing yield if I stayed true to the experient so I bailed on it. I now rotate the 8 plants every other day so they all get a good dose of the HPS.

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Are you sure you had the right bulbs in the T%?

Yes, the right bulbs are in the T5's and I have grown from veg to flower with T5's successfully before. What happens is that the yield isn't bad with the T5's but then again, if you aren't also running HPS on the same batch as a baseline, you never know what yield loss you are suffering. The same seeds, veged 1 month under T5's and then 4 of them taken and put under an HPS. The growth in the ones under the HPS was much better. They doubled in side shoots and buds under HPS.