T5 Veg spectrum

[Prodaytrader]

I'm about to purchase some 3' T5ho bulbs for cloning and mothering. What spectrum would you guys recommend? I will start with 5 bulbs. Should I get them all in 6500k or a mix there of for vegging?

Prodaytrader Reviewed by Prodaytrader on 07-13-2010. T5 Veg spectrum I'm about to purchase some 3' T5ho bulbs for cloning and mothering. What spectrum would you guys recommend? I will start with 5 bulbs. Should I get them all in 6500k or a mix there of for vegging? Rating: 5

[gypski]

Noticed this thread popped up and thought I would share my results. I did indeed purchase 5 x 3' T5 ho's and have been using them for about 3 months maybe longer. I probably could have used 2 and been just fine to be honest with you. I find the growth to actually be a little faster then what I would prefer but whatever. I purchased everything separately and wired the ballast myself. I suppose in hindsight had I searched a little more I probably could have found a nice fixture for about the same price, but as it is I'm still very happy.



Here is a motley of pics mainly showing the T5's I installed but I also included a few pics of the entire space and how I incorporated the T5's as well as a week 6 flower picture which you can follow in my signature. I should mention that I relocated the ballast to outside this space, which is a clear advantage to not purchasing a premade fixture. I found it got to be too hot in that little space. This is my first full grow and I'm currently starting week 8 flower likely to go 9 weeks it would seem. The veg space runs tighter then a 16th century Dutch Master. I'm now to a point where I am lowering the ppm's, playing with the media, and watering schedules to make it as low maintaince as possible. Still the trimming can be a hassle which is why I have simply started using scissors on them and whacking them down like the fucking weeds they are (speaking of the mothers I keep in the veg space):chainsaw:. I should also mention that in the flower space I had to push all that equipment up further as I ran out of vertical height...it was a close race, but I won in the end with tricks to keep them from stretching next time.

It's funny how you go from one side of the spectrum to another in terms of growing ability in about 12 months.

(pats self on back) ya biatchs...I'm independent (as of 4 days ago)! :S4: and it only took 400 posts to accomplish it...ROFL

You can solve the vertical height problem by removing the bottom drawer if it has a door that closes. :twocents:

[khyberkitsune]

6500K is perfectly fine.

Maybe one day I'll have specialized T5 lighting of my dreams

[Dutch Pimp]

HO T-5's...6500k works great...:thumbsup:...from seed, the roots explode...:smokin:...while staying short & bushy

these below are totally rootbound & about to be transplanted after 2 weeks...18/6 veg.

[Prodaytrader]

khyberkitsune: I was reading some of your other comments. You definitely seem to be the authority on T5's and LED's around here. 3' T5ho bulbs, what's the max distance they effectively work? I'm hoping to permanently mount them about 11" away from the tops of the pots and not have to adjust the fixtures since I have only about 14" space to work with, in the first place. Think that's too far away to start clones on, 11"? They would grow at least another inch or two over the next week I should think closing the distance even further, then another inch or two the second week, correct, no?

[khyberkitsune]

khyberkitsune: I was reading some of your other comments. You definitely seem to be the authority on T5's and LED's around here. 3' T5ho bulbs, what's the max distance they effectively work? I'm hoping to permanently mount them about 11" away from the tops of the pots and not have to adjust the fixtures since I have only about 14" space to work with, in the first place. Think that's too far away to start clones on, 11"? They would grow at least another inch or two over the next week I should think closing the distance even further, then another inch or two the second week, correct, no?

T5HO has its best performance about 18 inches down, after that the photon density is poor. I would recommend running the tubes vertically if possible, without a reflector, surround the tube with plants.

As for 11 inches being too far, nah, you'll be okay. I have my LED light almost 3 feet above my mothers.

As for growth, that's all dependent upon the care you give the plants, and of course the light. They should grow rather well, and quite rapidly if you're doing hydroponics. In soil, they'll be a little slower, but they will still grow nicely.

[help420me]

You've prolly already made your purchase on lights. t5HO 54w actinic 420nm-460nm lights are what you want for maximum veg growth, coupled with a t5HO 54w Roseate 650nm flower bulb for maximum bloom.

[khyberkitsune]

You've prolly already made your purchase on lights. t5HO 54w actinic 420nm-460nm lights are what you want for maximum veg growth, coupled with a t5HO 54w Roseate 650nm flower bulb for maximum bloom.

The actinic phosphor is too inefficient in output - the 420-460nm phosphor used in computer CRT monitors is far more efficient provides superior photon flux density per watt of input power

[gypski]

HO T-5's...6500k works great...:thumbsup:...from seed, the roots explode...:smokin:...while staying short & bushy

these below are totally rootbound & about to be transplanted after 2 weeks...18/6 veg.

I'm gonna grab one of these. The 44 4', and see how it performs on four clones with minimal tinkering in a closet grow. :jointsmile:

Sun Blaze® T5 HO Fluorescent Light Fixtures - Sunlight Supply: Hydrogarden Wholesalers

[Dutch Pimp]

I'm gonna grab one of these. The 44 4', and see how it performs on four clones with minimal tinkering in a closet grow. :jointsmile:

Sun Blaze® T5 HO Fluorescent Light Fixtures - Sunlight Supply: Hydrogarden Wholesalers

I think you will be very happy with that...:thumbsup: