Are these lights okay for veg? flower?

[poker2]

Here is a link to exactly what I have:
Lithonia Lighting - 24 In. Fluorescent Mini T5 Double Strip - MN S5 2 14 LP M6 - Home Depot Canada

I have no clue how much k's or watt's it is. Maybe someone can help me find that out.

And are they good for seedlings? veg? flowering?
Would I need stronger lights in the future?

poker2 Reviewed by poker2 on 12-23-2010. Are these lights okay for veg? flower? Here is a link to exactly what I have: Lithonia Lighting - 24 In. Fluorescent Mini T5 Double Strip - MN S5 2 14 LP M6 - Home Depot Canada I have no clue how much k's or watt's it is. Maybe someone can help me find that out. And are they good for seedlings? veg? flowering? Would I need stronger lights in the future? Rating: 5

[poker2]

Anyone?

[oldmac]

Hello poker2,

That 2' fixture is a NO (normal output) fixture, the bulbs are 14 watts each.

You want a HO (high output) fixtures that would use 2' 24 watt bulbs.

Or if you want really crazy light output, build your own floro fixture with end caps etc, and use an IceCap electronic ballast and get 40 watts per 2' tube.

A two light T5 HO is good for clones, seedlings and veg.
Flowering you would need a little more light, plus 3000k bulbs.

Hope this helps you.
OM

[poker2]

Okay thanks. So these are alright enough then for veg? (this is my first.. well second grow. First grow didn't go farther than 2 weeks but i did a bad job with the soil perlite..by not mixing.

I'm using Miracle Grow soil now :S lol
I will probably stick with these for now and then get better bulbs for this fixture in the future?..good idea?

[Dutch Pimp]

Okay thanks. So these are alright enough then for veg? (this is my first.. well second grow. First grow didn't go farther than 2 weeks but i did a bad job with the soil perlite..by not mixing.

what, he said, was.....it's a weak ass light..good only for 3 weeks..max

I'm using Miracle Grow soil now :S lol
I will probably stick with these for now and then get better bulbs for this fixture in the future?..good idea?

There's no upgrading this fixture...it's useless after 3 weeks.

[poker2]

What would i need for flowering then?
I'm so confused/new to this.
I have been doing a lott of reading but have no idea now...

[tikiroom]

I believe part of your misunderstanding is that fixture is a T5 not a T5HO. (High Output)
They are different fixtures.
Hope this helps. :hippy:

oldmac,

When you overdrive those bulbs with that ballast, is there any adverse effects? Such as lamp life and added heat.

Also do you roughly know total wattage included that ballast?

Figured it would be ok to ask since still on topic.

[oldmac]

Hey poker2,

In the spirit of Christmas, I'm going to try and walk you thru this. Give me an idea how big an area you want to light up or how many plants.
I'll see if I can come up with what lights you will need. Since cost seems to be a main factor probably CFLs will be the best bet.
OM

[oldmac]

oldmac,

When you overdrive those bulbs with that ballast, is there any adverse effects? Such as lamp life and added heat.

Also do you roughly know total wattage included that ballast?

Figured it would be ok to ask since still on topic.

Tikiroom,

The plus side of driving the bulbs to VHO levels, doubling the lumens output without doubling the wattage. A 2' or 4' 4 bulb setup equals an 8 bulb HO setup. Right there is a savings of 32 watts for a 2' or 92 watts for a 4'.
Also you can use NO (normal output) bulbs that are cheaper then HO bulbs, tho you can't mix NO and HO bulbs together. Ballast watts used is not much more then standard HO.

Heat is increased but it is minor, since the ballast can be remote mounted it is actually cooler then a fixture with the ballast internal.
Bulb life is shortened. But even tho the lumen drop off is not as sharp or as bad as a HID, floro tubes need to be switched out also.
In my UVb supplemental light, the bulbs are NO reptile bulbs, I change them every 6 months or upon death.
OM

[poker2]

It is about 10 feet tall, 3.5 feet deep, 7feet wide
2 plants (bubba kush)