t-5 t-8 and t-12 Lighting Discussion

[Veterror]

Hey Guys, I Have three different lighting setups and i am trying to figure out how to use them.

In my Grow Tent I have a 600w HPS Light. This tent will eventually become just My Flowering tent. I also have Hydrofarm Flourowing 125w CFL 5600k Light that i am using for germination and Veg Growth.
And I recently aquired 2 48" t-12 Bulbs that are Growing bulbs. I know t-8 and t-5 are both better. but this being my first grow my money is limited. I have read that basically all the t-12 lighting is good for is germination up to the start of vegging. Is this true?

Should I set it up like this:

t-12 Lights for Cloning/germination/ seedling tray

125w CFL 5600k Flourowing for My Vegging plants outside of the tent.

600w HPS For flowering/Finishing up Vegging

Would this be the best setup i can do for now?

In the future i would just liek to use the 125w CFL for seedling/cloning/germination, Use my 600w ballast and get a 400w or 600w MEtal Halide Bulb for Vegging, and buy a 1000w ballast and bulb for my flowering room. Would this be a good place to aim for?

Superponics System:
Growlab 4x4 Growtent
6 Superponics Bubbleflow buckets (DWC + Constant flow)
600w HPS Dimmable ballast by Lumatek

Veterror Reviewed by Veterror on 07-05-2012. t-5 t-8 and t-12 Lighting Discussion Hey Guys, I Have three different lighting setups and i am trying to figure out how to use them. In my Grow Tent I have a 600w HPS Light. This tent will eventually become just My Flowering tent. I also have Hydrofarm Flourowing 125w CFL 5600k Light that i am using for germination and Veg Growth. And I recently aquired 2 48" t-12 Bulbs that are Growing bulbs. I know t-8 and t-5 are both better. but this being my first grow my money is limited. I have read that basically all the t-12 Rating: 5

[WeayLay]

T12s are good even through vegging. I wouldn't use linear fluorescents myself, ESPECIALLY T8/T5's, because they're most efficient at higher temperatures, to a point where a cannabis plant would die. Use the T12's for seedlings, and then add the 125W CFL bulb in once they start vegging.

[Veterror]

Ok, This sounds like a good idea. They say you can never have too much light. I will do as you suggested.... Makes sense!

[drudown11]

T12s are good even through vegging. I wouldn't use linear fluorescents myself, ESPECIALLY T8/T5's, because they're most efficient at higher temperatures, to a point where a cannabis plant would die. Use the T12's for seedlings, and then add the 125W CFL bulb in once they start vegging.

im confused with this statement. Ive been using t5 fixtures for the past 3 years for my clones and vegging plants. The work great for smaller plants and clones, but lack the penetration power of a hid bulb, so the light intensity goes does drastically going a few inches away from the bulbs. For flowering, i didnt like the yield they gave me, even though the quality was still good. Stick to HPS for flower

[Veterror]

Is it bad to Veg with 600w HPS? just wanted to throw that out there.

[Veterror]

The work great for smaller plants and clones, but lack the penetration power of a hid bulb, so the light intensity goes does drastically going a few inches away from the bulbs.

Drudown11 - I am confused by your remark back... LOL. Could you elaborate on this statement?

[WeayLay]

Okay, the temperature of where the T5 linear fluorescent bulbs are most efficient at 35 Degrees Celsius. I was wrong about the T8's being the same as T5, but I still wouldn't use the T8's due to some reasons. T8's and T12's are most efficient at 25 Degrees Celsius.

"It is smaller than T8 and T12 lamps, with a miniature bi-pin base. It is notable for its lumens-per-watt efficiency, due to its peak light output occurring at 35 °C (95 °F) air temperature."
Source

[drudown11]

Drudown11 - I am confused by your remark back... LOL. Could you elaborate on this statement?

they light that the t5 emits is only intense enough 2-6 inches from the bulbs. Theyre good for small plants and clones that are under a foot tall, but they light doesn't penetrate more than a foot. You really have to keep them huddled next to the bulb to get good growth, otherwise you get stretchy and scraggly branches. If you want to flower a plant, a hps bulb(also known as a High intensity discharge bulb, HID for short) will give more more yield and will illuminate the plant more than a t5 fixture will.


The light from MH and HPS will penetrate all the way to the bottom of the plant if placed correctly. T5 only reach about half way down.

[drudown11]

Is it bad to Veg with 600w HPS? just wanted to throw that out there.

not at all. Its just not ideal. The red end of the spectrum encourages fruit and flower growth and encourages internodal spacing causing plants to grow taller. The blue end of the spectrum(MH emit a majority of blue light) encourages green leafy growth, and encourages stockier branching and shorter, denser plants. The difference wont be too noticable, I veg with HPS bulbs as well