T5 vs HPS?

Ok i wanted to know what would be better 2 X 4ft 8 lamp HO T5. That would be 80K lum. Now a 1000HPS would be around 100K-140K lum. But the kicker as most ok that you have to hang the HPS around 18-24in over you ladies. With the T5 you can hang about 8" over you ladies. Now with the HPS you lose all allot of power. From what i read the 140K lum can drop to 35K lum at 2ft (24"). With the T5 being allot closer would I have much of a drop off? If so whouldn't it be stronger then the 1000 HPS? Also I would save a ton of money changing to the T5's. They work great for veg why not flowering to?

I was going to run 2 1000 HPS's in a 4x8 tent. Air cooled hood. I now an thinking of getting 4 x 8 lamp T5's insted. It would keep the heat down and the power bill lower.

Any input would help allot. Thanks guys

When I first started out I used a couple of T-5 fixtures ( 4 foot X 6 bulb ) to veg. and then flower. After several grows I switched over to 600 watt Hps and have never looked back. The HPS has more penetrating power than does the T-5's and I think the HPS produces much tighter bud formation. The T-5s really shine when used to veg your plants. As far as heat is concerned the T-5s generate heat also, and with the amount of bulbs (32) you are thinking of using you will need some sort of ventilation to cool everything down.
I would suggest that for the size space you have to work with 2 600 watt HPS systems would work better. You would still have about 5600 lumens per square foot.

True about the penetrating power. I forgot to say I was doind small plants. veg for 2 weeks and then flower. Using a SOG. That way all the plants are evan and small so the light can always stay close. This way I dont need the penetrating power as much. You still think I would be missing out. Oh and I already have the 1000's

I also would have a smaller vent but really trying to save money on the power bill and keep the heat down (for the ac bill).

Anyone eles have any input? Anyone try this kinda setup? Really don't want to spend the cash if im better off now

T-5 HO lighting is adequate and efficient if you keep plant material close to the lamps on the full length of the tubes. You can put the leaves as close as 1" without a problem. I use a metal screen over the lamps to do this. In most of my grows I now use 400 MH where I used to use the 4 x 4' T5s. I now use the T5s with grow or veg tubes for supplimental lighting.