Which T5's
- Thread starter MadDog607
- Start date
SpaaaceCowboy
Well-Known Member
6500k veg 2700k flower
40w/sq ft. is optimal. That's 12 4' tubes (12 x 54w = 648w / 16 sq ft = 40.5w sq ft).
waterdawg
Well-Known Member
Thats a lot of lights lol. I'm sure the math is correct but I have a hard time getting 8 in a 4x4 room using 2 4' fixtures. 12 would be quite a light show lol.
I have HydroFarm EnviroGro fixtures. Two 6-bulbs (21.8" wide) or an 8-bulb (26" wide) and a 4-bulb (13.5" wide) work.
If you're supplementing another light, you might want to get 2-bulb SunBlaze's, or some single bulb fixtures that are more like plug'n'play.
For smaller plants like autoflowers, t5ho works pretty good. Also works good supplementing an LED. For photosensitives, it didn't seem to have the penetration in flower (but veg's well). If you're just going to supplement, four 2-bulb SunBlaze units would be good. Hang them around the perimeter at a 45-degree angle to provide some side/top light.
In that case, I would strive for at least 30w / sq ft, and closer to 40w. If you're growing taller plants (i.e., not autoflowers, you aren't "mainlining" photosensitives into bushes), I'd go for some side fixtures (or use CFL to help out on the sides).
From Frank & Rosenthal, The Marijuana Grower's Guide, pg. 34:
You're calculating cubic feet, not square feet. Don't factor the vertical space.
In a prior post I said you need 12 4' tubes. T5ho is 54w per tube. 12 x 54w = 648w. Your tent is 4x4, which is 16 sq ft. Or, 648w / 16 sq ft = 40.5 w / sq ft.
PS: When you reply, if you quote the person you're replying to, they'll receive an alert that you replied, so they know they should return to a thread.
MadDog607
Active Member
Okay. Thanks. So a total of 16x40=640w. Is this correct? 640 total watts?
4' long T5HO tubes are 54w. So, 12 of those is 648 total watts. Divide that by your square footage (4x4 = 16 sq ft) and you have an average 40.5 watts per sq. ft.
You're going to spend $300 on two EnviroGro 6-tube fixtures (plus more for some 3000k warm tubes for flower). More if you buy SunBlaze 2-tube fixtures (or 1-tube fixtures for more flexibility in placement, such as side lighting.). From my own experience, I think you'll upgrade to LED or HID soon. The T5 investment won't be wasted. You'll be able to use them at least for veg.
You might consider LED now. Even if it's just a couple 2x2' (footprint) lights that you could supplement with T5.
Good luck.
MadDog607
Active Member
I did use LED for my first grow. The light was only a 200w full cycle. It produced some tasty buds. However they could of been so much better with a bigger light, like a 440w. I sold my LED light planning on upgrading to a 440w. when i went to buy it the price went up like $500. They cost a total of $899 for a 440w solar storm. I wish i bought mine earlier. Anyway, I think i can get a pretty solid lighting system for less than that. This is why i want to switch to T5's. They do not get as hot than other HID lights also.
Too bad you got rid of the LED. Supplementing it with T5 would have been the best of both worlds.
I'm running 3 brands of LED and I don't think they're as hot as HID. Never been near a California Lightworks, but I know from their specs they drive their LEDs at a higher wattage. For example, TopLED runs less than <50% capacity. Cali Lightworks at full spectrum is 72%.
I never recommend Cali Lightworks. For the money I believe there are better choices. Cali inflates their PAR figures, keeps their spectrum secret (a marketing gimmick), drives fewer bulbs hotter. I would go with Area 51 for lifetime warranty, or a direct-from-China import (avoiding the expensive rebrands which seem to dominate the expensive domestic brands).
Anyway, a mix of LED and t5 would have been good. Just be careful going total t5. Look at the "mainlining" tutorial on growweedeasy. Keep your plants shorter, fatter. I did that when I grew t5 and I still felt I wasn't getting the penetration I wanted.
LEDs aren't perfect. I'd like to do LED supplemented with t5, but my climate is too warm right now.
MadDog607
Active Member
I love LED. You are right about california light works and their prices. After doing some research I am leaning towards HPS an MH. Do you think 600watts would be good enough for a 4x4 tent? I am looking at this: http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLK600LS24-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B005ECZQTY/ref=pd_sbs_lg_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0AS4Z7M202DN2MEGYQ9Q
You can't beat the price for 600w's. Would 600w be enough?
I can't comment on HID, I haven't used it. But, I've considered the SunMaster Phillips CMH Ceramic Metal Halide. My hydro shop has one and it seems to be cooler than other HID. It's a natural white color. There's a couple grow journals (LED compares) in the LED forum. I wish it had a better heat extraction, hookup to exhaust, etc. But, it's not that hot.
roldgoldrlg
Well-Known Member
I love T5HO, originally for my aquarium and pulled it for emergency clone/veg light and was really impressed. I've only vegged with em, but wouldn't hesitate to flower under them. I just saw a T5VHO ballast on c.l. haven't tried those. I continue to use the aquarium T5HO bulbs due to the color spectrum, and a theory that they project more lumens deeper because they are designed to penetrate water. (Theory). They are fluval hagen
BenFranklin
Well-Known Member
I've totally ditched my 400 and 250mh, I only use T5's for Vegging now.. I just got them like 3 weeks ago, and the growth in comparison to my 250mh is astounding.
My mother plant looks like Arnold Scwarzenegger. (LOL! I almost forgot to include the word 'plant'....)