trying to figure out what lights i want

we have been doing a lot of reading and I am still unsure of what lights I want to use. my partner wants to go with t8 lights or t5s my first plan was cfls. where doing a small grow to get our feet wet and then when we get a dedicated grow room plan to go either hid or led lights here are my questions.

which is better T5 or T8 and why. we got a T8 4 foot two bulb light at ace they don't have T5s guy said their an outdated design heavier and the t8 has more power.
Second for either the t5 or T8 what bulbs should I use for veg and flower stages I noticed some plant/aquriam lights for the T8 I also understand they have them for the T5

we are hearing both good and bad info on LED lights is it really better over HID and what is the best led out there.

Ok lets say I go with the T5 or T8 for the first grow, how many plants is generally recommended per say 8 bulbs as where looking at the 8 bulb 4 feet long light set up. im thinking I can do 4 plants under each 8 bulb light. is 4 to many or will 6 grow good with the one light.
My closet is about 3 foot by 2 foot deep im thinking my auto seeds in my closet since they go on a different light secdule then the og kush will a 2 foot 4 bulb be enough for 2 or 3 plants or should I put the 2 footer on top then say 2 2 bulb 4 footers on the side. I want to make sure they get enough light.

T5HO gets my vote. T-8 can certainly do a good job but a typical 4' T-8 is 32-34 watts, the T5 HO is 54 watts.

T5 is a new generation of fluorescent lights, which wins over T8s over light quantity (lumen output) and light quality. Since it spreads light in a 360 degree angle, see if you can crop a reflector, so you can win more light for your plants.

Thanks guys. The guy workin at ace seem to say the t5 was an older light and the t8 was newer and better but i opted to say i was growin tomatoes not cannibas

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Originally Posted by Bigsexy85

Thanks guys. The guy workin at ace seem to say the t5 was an older light and the t8 was newer and better but i opted to say i was growin tomatoes not cannibas

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that is all backwards, Big. the T-5 diameter is much newer than T-8.