T5 distance?

[SnSstealth]

we got a 6 lamp, 54W each, 4' long T5 light system for the veg room. any input on what the distance from the tops should be?

thanks,
db:smokin:

SnSstealth Reviewed by SnSstealth on 11-14-2008. T5 distance? we got a 6 lamp, 54W each, 4' long T5 light system for the veg room. any input on what the distance from the tops should be? thanks, db:smokin: Rating: 5

[WhiskeyTango]

324W of T5 gets kinda warm...anyone using these in veg, please let us know how close we can get em. without burning the plants....
Thanks!
:joint1:

[Crunchypants]

WT, sorry to jump in un-introduced but this looks time-sensitive. I try to keep mine within an inch and have never had a problem, although I am using 2ft. lamps for application flexibility. Treat them like other fluoro tubes except the surface area for heat dissipation is much smaller than with T-8's or 12's, so the t-5's will fry your tender new growth in a matter of minutes if it contacts the lamp surface. (As opposed to several hours "grace period" with T-12's,)

I assume you already know there is a significant "sweet spot" in long fluoro tubes; the middle region giving you much greater plant response. It may be significant enough on a 4' 54w. lamp to require greater than 1" from the lamps, but I doubt it. My limiting factor is: '" How much will this sucker grow before I see it again?" If I put the lamps high enough so the plants don't grow into them, they're safe.

You're probably noticing that your 324w. is heating up your space a bit....flouro's DO put out some heat. It's just spread out over a larger area.

HTH, and thanks for all I've learned from you reading your posts. CP

[jboog0]

I have a 2 foot, 4 tube t-5. They sit in a closet in a 3'x2.5' area. I can keep them 1 inch or closer (I'm around a lot). With my house temp ranging from low 60s - mid 70s, I can pretty steadily keep it 74-78F with a 44 cfm fan (120mm comp fan) on each side of the light.

[veggii]

I keep mine at approx 4 inches they are 4ft 4bulb T5 fixtures, stick your hand inbetween bulbs and top of plant too see how hot it is. all T5 fixtures produce different amounts of heat some more, some less heat, pointing a fan at the bulbs will help kool them, I would not put them at 1 inch away the plant could grow that in a day and get burned I suspect the 2 bulb units are kooler than 4 bulb,and it also depends on fixture design if there is ventilation in it or not, just keep checking heat level with hand between canopy under light, they work good for veg, you'll be happy you got them :hippy:

[WhiskeyTango]

THanks guys!!! Its great to see you on my threads again veggii...email change? or can I still get ahold of ya?

BTW this is a 6 bulb 4 ft 54W a piece setup

[veggii]

ya i've been busy l8tly cleaning, trying to get rid of this friggn ringworm still !! I had it all gone then it attacked me again! looks like gonna have too cancel surgery again prolly gonna have too move as i'm 99.5% sure its coming from the roomi's dog; explains the re-infection so ya not been having much fun, email still the same @hotmail.*** good luck on the grow

[oldmac]

hey Veggi, WT, et al;

Seems LEDers tend to be T5ers also.

I actually think a combo or hy-bred of LED and Fluoro beats either one by itself.

I realize WT your using yours for vegging, here is a heads up for future buying of T5 fixtures. I found single strip units by Sunblaster for just $32 each, you can buy four for $128, cheaper then any 4 bulb unit. Same goes for six or eight bulb units, plus you can space them any amount you want. The singles include metal fixture with ballast and a 6500K bulb..great for clones or vegative growth. The singles do lack reflectors, but I found a four pack of 48" T5 GLO reflectors for $28.

Sunblaster also makes a 2' and 4' T5 bulb in 2,700K! Finally a better fluoro for blooming.

I just bought an Ice Cap ballast and endcaps etc, to build a four light 4' set-up, driven to VHO levels (54watt HO becomes 85watt VHO) to supplement a TI SmartLamp......

300watts LED plus 340watts of T5 VHO to cover 4'x4'. I'm hoping it works like my other curent hy-bred.

[gypski]

After reading this thread, and it being my first experience with this particular lighting medium, I gather looking at my plants response over about a 48 hour period, 2" is too close. I noticed crinkling with some leaves on the tallest plant @ 18". So, I've raised the light to 4" above the tallest one angled toward the smallest using a folding tape measure that I can get a 90 degree with light and floor. I have another instrument that I can measure the angle with but I don't think its relative yet in side penetration. Since they were under a single CFL before they went under this system, they may need a bit more acclimation dialing in the right canopy to light distance and differing plant heights.

I always kept my confiscated 430 HPS system about 14" and it was about right in a 4'x8' area.

My temps haven't been over 80 degrees in the 2'x7' closet so far, and the heat is shut off to most of the house since I'm only using a couple of rooms. So far so good in this new experience. :smokin:

Now to fire up some of the outdoor and let the girls work it out!!!! :stoned:

[Dutch Pimp]

I'm using a 2ft, 4 bulb, HO T5, 6500k
For the first week; I keep it at 4-5 inches above.
When they get stronger...you can get closer