T5? Good or Bad?

[KINGHAZEEE]

I will be cloning in about a month and will be setting up my veg room and am thinking of going with a t5 flourescent fixture. These are my reasons why:

-lower electricity bills then a MH or HPS
-will be running 24/7 soo am worried about the heat of a MH or HPS in veg.

Now i have a HPS for flower but i have a couple questions about the T5:

- Will I be satisfied with growth levels in this compared to a MH?
- would it be able to veg around 6 clones?
- What would be the best possible veg light for clones?
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated

KINGHAZEEE Reviewed by KINGHAZEEE on 09-26-2009. T5? Good or Bad? I will be cloning in about a month and will be setting up my veg room and am thinking of going with a t5 flourescent fixture. These are my reasons why: -lower electricity bills then a MH or HPS -will be running 24/7 soo am worried about the heat of a MH or HPS in veg. Now i have a HPS for flower but i have a couple questions about the T5: - Will I be satisfied with growth levels in this compared to a MH? - would it be able to veg around 6 clones? - What would be the best possible Rating: 5

[ditdotter]

I personally think they are the best light for vegging under. It doen't matter if they are clones or from seed. I've vegged clones over 30 inches tall under them that were fem'ed. The 4 foot 4 bulb model will do 14 clones that are in 1 gallon pots no problem. The 2 foot 4 bulb model will handle 6 clones that are in 1 gallon pots. The 2 X 8 model is what I use for my mothers, 4 each in 3 gallon pots.
Keep the light about 3 inches from the top of the plants. The top leaves will reach up and touch the lights if you don't keep a close eye on them. The light is hot enough to burn the leaves. They will generate some heat but no where near what a HPS light does. A simple oscillating fan should take care of ventilation and heat issues.

[KINGHAZEEE]

I think i am gonna go with the t5. I will probably try to find the 2 foot/4 bulb, since I am going to be putting this in a 4x4 box. Now a couple more questions,

-How would the t5s work with the scrogging method?
-Would 1 2ft/4 bulb fixture be able to handle a 4ftx4ft area?
-what kind of price would i be looking at for a 2ft or 4ft t5 fixture?

Thank you:jointsmile:

[drudown11]

I think i am gonna go with the t5. I will probably try to find the 2 foot/4 bulb, since I am going to be putting this in a 4x4 box. Now a couple more questions,

-How would the t5s work with the scrogging method?
-Would 1 2ft/4 bulb fixture be able to handle a 4ftx4ft area?
-what kind of price would i be looking at for a 2ft or 4ft t5 fixture?

Thank you:jointsmile:

I veg all of my mothers, clones, and seedlings under a 4, 2ft t5's. They dont give off alot of heat and gives plants alot of light if you put them close to the plants. I love them, but the only problem is that if you dont have a fan going sometimes that plants will have kinda weak stems and you have to stake some of the big ones up when i move them into flower.

I got my lights for 120 $ at the local hydro store.

I would use the t5's only during veg and switch over to a hps when you go into flower.

[ditdotter]

The light footprint of the T5's are about the same size as the fixture itself. The reason is the lights are only inches not several feet away from your plants. The cost of the lights vary with dealers. A good 4foot x 4 bulb should be in the $150 range and that should include 4 bulbs of your choice. Check out HTG supply they have a good number of options.