3 600w HPS vs 4 8-Bulb T5HO

[Delta223]

I'm going to build a 12Lx6Wx8H grow tent soon and am trying to figure out the best configuration of lighting. My options are 3 600w HPS vs 4 8-Bulb 4' T5HOs.

The tent will house a 36 plant screen trained grow.


3 600w's will use around 1900-2000 watts and output about 90,000 lumens per bulb.

90,000 x 3 = 270,000 lumens


4 4' T5HO's will use about 1730 watts and output 40,000 lumens per fixture.

40,000 x 4 = 160,000


So the HPS looks like the clear winner. But this light must be mounted at least 12" higher than the T5s, and I think the light output gets cut in half for every foot you raise the lights.

270,000 / 2 = 135,000



Now the choice gets very close. HPS probably gets better penetration, but those 4' T5s get better coverage, which may be more important. The guy at the store recommended the 4 T5s. Of course they cost a bit more also!


What do you guys think is the better option?

 

[Delta223]

anyone have an opinion either way?

 

[rbecks]

Im planning on using one 6Lamp T5HO fixture with 6 4100k for veg & 6 3500k for flower, im curious as well.

 

[plutomoney]

I'm going to build a 12Lx6Wx8H grow tent soon and am trying to figure out the best configuration of lighting. My options are 3 600w HPS vs 4 8-Bulb 4' T5HOs.

The tent will house a 36 plant screen trained grow.


3 600w's will use around 1900-2000 watts and output about 90,000 lumens per bulb.

90,000 x 3 = 270,000 lumens


4 4' T5HO's will use about 1730 watts and output 40,000 lumens per fixture.

40,000 x 4 = 160,000


So the HPS looks like the clear winner. But this light must be mounted at least 12" higher than the T5s, and I think the light output gets cut in half for every foot you raise the lights.

270,000 / 2 = 135,000



Now the choice gets very close. HPS probably gets better penetration, but those 4' T5s get better coverage, which may be more important. The guy at the store recommended the 4 T5s. Of course they cost a bit more also!


What do you guys think is the better option?

I started my first hydro grow about 2 weeks ago i went to the hydro shop and asked about t5 v hps for bloom i was already sold on t5 for veg. He had a 1kw hps and a lux meter and it read 94.2 at the bulb then there was a ruler on the side if the reflector and he took the light meter to the end of it about 18" and it was at 76 something. The guys said its eally worth it to have a hps if you have a air cooled bulb and reflector on a light mover if not its about the same the only difference is the t5 flowers will be fluffier but over all weight will be about the same. I was ready to spend on a 1kw hps and left the store with some bloom t5ho bulbs. We touched on light penetration and all he said was look at bush and see how much light penetrates the inside of it. he told me its not that big of a deal but next grow i will see

 

[sogalax]

Are you saying 1 four foot t5 or 4 four foot t5s? Not very clear

 

[Total Head]

I'll say this: I just today put up my 400w hps ad my light meter reads off the charts until about 16'' away. My t5ho (6 tube, 56w each) only went up about 75-80% right under the lamp. I got less than thrilling results during flower until i added some cfl side light on my last grow. i ended up with over 600 actual watts of light and never got the results I should have. i would definately go w/the hps and i haven't even grown with it yet. visually it's obviously quite a bit brighter also.

 

[plutomoney]

I'll say this: I just today put up my 400w hps ad my light meter reads off the charts until about 16'' away. My t5ho (6 tube, 56w each) only went up about 75-80% right under the lamp. I got less than thrilling results during flower until i added some cfl side light on my last grow. i ended up with over 600 actual watts of light and never got the results I should have. i would definately go w/the hps and i haven't even grown with it yet. visually it's obviously quite a bit brighter also.

Are your plants stacked real close to each other if they are then you need a hps it has more intensity as is a single smaller same energy light source. I am told 8 t5ho will give you more area to grom as the single source will bloom best whats beneath it