8 bulb t5 light...how close do you keep it to YOUR plants?

[Mrbudkisd]

I have a 454 watt hydrofarms t5 light fixture and was wanting to know how close to keep it to my plants. I know the hold your hand rule...I am trying to diagnose a on going problem with a grow cabnet.

Thanks everyone:thumbsup:

Bud

Mrbudkisd Reviewed by Mrbudkisd on 11-11-2010. 8 bulb t5 light...how close do you keep it to YOUR plants? I have a 454 watt hydrofarms t5 light fixture and was wanting to know how close to keep it to my plants. I know the hold your hand rule...I am trying to diagnose a on going problem with a grow cabnet. Thanks everyone:thumbsup: Bud Rating: 5

[WashougalWonder]

I can allow mine to be within 2 inches of the bulb on young plants.

[Mrbudkisd]

I can allow mine to be within 2 inches of the bulb on young plants.

Really...and you have this type of light?

I was keeping mine really far like 2 feet away. I have been haveing a mysterous ongowing problem since I started useing this t-5 light. Actually I have not been able to grow a healthy plant from clone through veg stage in this new cabnet that I made. Starting to get pretty frustrated with the whole thing. My first crop was epic huge for a first grow (beginners luck?) Those were flowered and vegged under a 1000 watt hps. I needed a veg area so I built a big cabnet right in my 8x14 flower room and stuck a 8 bulb t-5 fixture in it. Plenty of ventilation and no light leakes. Plants some will stunt. Get deformed leaves with less then the usual leaves fingers. Yellowing then lockout looking symptoms...when there should be no lockout as I was just useing phed water as they were early clones.

I am going to lower my light.
Heres a pic of my last crop...look how nice it was.....there is no way I am doing anything wrong. I have even just used plain phed water with new soil after the clones rooted I planted them in 1 gallon containers....still just water...then yellowing and deformed leaves. Stunting...

I am thinking it is some kind of off gassing from the caulking I used on the cabnet. I will know soon enough...I may be dismantleing the cabnet and installing a wall instead.

Washougalwonder....I bet I live near you...over here in the couve...hehe

Budkisd
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[attachment=o259338]

[drudown11]

Really...and you have this type of light?

I was keeping mine really far like 2 feet away. I have been haveing a mysterous ongowing problem since I started useing this t-5 light. Actually I have not been able to grow a healthy plant from clone through veg stage in this new cabnet that I made. Starting to get pretty frustrated with the whole thing. My first crop was epic huge for a first grow (beginners luck?) Those were flowered and vegged under a 1000 watt hps. I needed a veg area so I built a big cabnet right in my 8x14 flower room and stuck a 8 bulb t-5 fixture in it. Plenty of ventilation and no light leakes. Plants some will stunt. Get deformed leaves with less then the usual leaves fingers. Yellowing then lockout looking symptoms...when there should be no lockout as I was just useing phed water as they were early clones.

I am going to lower my light.
Heres a pic of my last crop...look how nice it was.....there is no way I am doing anything wrong. I have even just used plain phed water with new soil after the clones rooted I planted them in 1 gallon containers....still just water...then yellowing and deformed leaves. Stunting...

I am thinking it is some kind of off gassing from the caulking I used on the cabnet. I will know soon enough...I may be dismantleing the cabnet and installing a wall instead.

Washougalwonder....I bet I live near you...over here in the couve...hehe

Budkisd
[attachment=o259337]

[attachment=o259338]

the onyl reason your plants arent growing is because the lights not close enough. I own the same T5 fixture you do, just a smaller one and it works great. Notice how washogaul said "within 2 inches". thats because they need to be 2 inches OR CLOSER to have good growth. T5's are great, ive even flowered with them and gotten top quality herb(weight and density is an issue though)

your going to want more than 1 gallon pots next time. That would explain your yellow leaves and the stunted plants. They were rootbound. Plant them in 3 gallon or even 5 gallon pots, your yield will increase substantially.

[Buoy13]

depends on the strain, bulb manufacture, bulb age, watts, hood projection. I start at 4ft+ when seedlings. Then adjust acording to light burn yellowing or any stresses.

[Slevinkal]

IDK if this is gonna help much but...

I have a four bulb T8 fixture. They stay two inches or less from the plants mostly...

I've came home after work and found several leaves mashed against the bulbs and never had an issue.

Then again, my wattage is still way less than yours so

[Dutch Pimp]

6500k HO T5, 2ft, 4 bulb. First 3 weeks...:thumbsup:

[Slevinkal]

6500k HO T5, 2ft, 4 bulb. First 3 weeks...:thumbsup:

simply lovely

[gypski]

I was going to wait a week to show these again, but all have been under my T5 for two weeks. The difference is noticeable especially with the smallest one. The biggest two have been in the 3 gal pots for 5 days. They been about 2"-3" and allowed to grow up near the light without touching it.

[Mrbudkisd]

the onyl reason your plants arent growing is because the lights not close enough. I own the same T5 fixture you do, just a smaller one and it works great. Notice how washogaul said "within 2 inches". thats because they need to be 2 inches OR CLOSER to have good growth. T5's are great, ive even flowered with them and gotten top quality herb(weight and density is an issue though)

your going to want more than 1 gallon pots next time. That would explain your yellow leaves and the stunted plants. They were rootbound. Plant them in 3 gallon or even 5 gallon pots, your yield will increase substantially.

I only have them in 1 gallon pots till they 1 month old.....then its into 5 gallon pots for 2 more weeks then off to my flower room under a 1000 watt hps .

Thanks everyone for clearing up the light issue. The stunted growth and lockout problems with those plants was due to off gassing I think..of the caulking. I have new clones in 1 gallon pots for 2 weeks so far. They have ok growth even with the bulbs aways away....but the yellowing leaves and deformed leaves on my last grow sucked. Those 6 plants are flowering at day 20 almost right now. These questions asked here was pertaining to my new set of plants. Perpetual continous grow going here :rastasmoke:...chop 4...move 4 to flower...clone4...repeat as needed until cooked through..hehehe

Budkist