Surround with T5 or MH?

[Sirgreggins]

I'm currently growing in my basement which is usually around 50-55° and RH: 25-35% (which I need to get higher). My veg tent is 48"x24"x60" and I was curious what you guys thought of my question in the title. Should I surround my plants in T5's, one fixture above and one on the side, or just a 400w MH? I'm sure the MH will be better later in veg but my current clones were under the 600w in my other tent but I couldn't get my temps up above 65°. I moved the clones closer to the light so they wouldn't be as cold but they also were curling at the tips and looked terrible. I took them upstairs into and let the sit in a box with a T5 2ft 4 lamp fixture above and they have sprung right back to life. Since winter won't be here (in MA) forever, I'm debating whether or not I should get another T5 or go with just the MH. Curious what your thoughts are. Thanks

 

[rkymtnman]

400 MH. surprised it doesn't warm the tent up more than that though. add a small heater until temps get higher.

 

[Sirgreggins]

Thanks man! Ii had the clones 12" from the 600 without my inline fan on and it got to 70° only once haha. I saw a 200W heater at Home Depot for $16. Guess I should pick it up. I'd love to hear others' feedback too

 

[getdown76]

Depends. you will have more development with the metal halide and a higher electric bill. t-5's will make your bottom nuggs slightly bigger while not rapping you electric bill.

 

[rkymtnman]

Thanks man! Ii had the clones 12" from the 600 without my inline fan on and it got to 70° only once haha. I saw a 200W heater at Home Depot for $16. Guess I should pick it up. I'd love to hear others' feedback too

yeah, i have one of those ceramic heaters with a built in thermostat. set it at whatever temp you want and it will shut off on its' own.

 

[Jimdamick]

Pot doesn't need high temps for optimum growth. Anywhere from 60- 85 F is great, and the low humidity is fine also, as that helps to prevent mold. Personally if your temps are that low year round I would go for a 600w dimmable electronic ballast that you will be able to run both mh and hps. Consider yourself lucky with the environment you have.

 

[Sirgreggins]

I have a dimmable 600w now and i had the clones under that but again, they looked terrible under it. A couple days under the fluoro upstairs and the leaves are point up, and they look healthy. I checked my basement today and it was 45 down there. I always wanted room like this so i could have my plants nice and close to the light but it hurt it in this case. I think they were just too young to be under that intensity of light at that distance at least. Thanks for all the feedback guys!

 

[Sirgreggins]

Does anyone have an opinion about the difference in spectrums? T5's are 6500k but MH is 4200k. (not a Hortilux bulb). MH definitely makes it more difficult to determine how green the plants are