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