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.
Shovelhandle Reviewed by Shovelhandle on . 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 Rating: 5