T5 vs T8

sdf

sdf

Well-Known Member
Ok so I was planning on using T5s for my grow cab but they didnt have any at my local store, instead they had T8s which were 15$ for the lamp and 5$/2bulbs. So now I am asking, which is better for growing? T5s or T8s? The grow area is 5'wide x 2'deep x 5'3"tall. Which one causes more heat? The plants Im going to be growing all say about 50-80cm so it would need to be able to grow that big of plants.

thank you so much :hug:
 
G

gotigers0420

Active Member
I swear by my t8s. Great results and dollar per lume per year seemed more efficient for me. Home depot has a great 6 bulb t8 fixture for 80 bucks. i use two. heres a couple of pics


plants 001.jpg124.jpg
 
Total Head

Total Head

Well-Known Member
sdf said:
Ok so I was planning on using T5s for my grow cab but they didnt have any at my local store, instead they had T8s which were 15$ for the lamp and 5$/2bulbs. So now I am asking, which is better for growing? T5s or T8s? The grow area is 5'wide x 2'deep x 5'3"tall. Which one causes more heat? The plants Im going to be growing all say about 50-80cm so it would need to be able to grow that big of plants.

thank you so much :hug:
Click to expand...

technically t5 have more output per watt than the t8, but if you look around here there are plenty of people reporting good results using the t8. as far as the heat, i never used t8 to grow myself but i use t5 for veg, and a simple table fan on low is all that is needed to cool 360 watts worth. you might want some others to chime in on using these lights to grow 2 foot plants. i train mine to stay less than 8 inches and spread out the canopy. one of the major keys to getting the most out of floro lighting is canopy control.
 
sso

sso

Well-Known Member
you can keep the t8´s closer (t8´s can touch the leaves in most cases, while t5´s will crisp them) and the difference isnt that great considering the dollars involved.

t5´s need 35c temps to stay at maximum lumens, while the t8´s need 28c to do that.

plus you can overdrive your t8´s much more cheaply.

the size of the t5´s means you can fit more into the same space, but they also run hotter so need to be further away.
 
hppy2balive

hppy2balive

Active Member
I ran T5's on my Cab grow, they run alot hotter than CFL's but my plants truly enjoyed them, only running them for an hour or two the plant was already reaching for the t5's over the CFL's, but damn they were hottttttt!
 
sdf

sdf

Well-Known Member
alright, thanks for all the replys guys, so basically t8s are better if your on a budget, but can they grow normal size plants or should i invest in a HPS or MH light? (if i should please tell me how many watts Id want for 3 normal plants, If using a HPS ill probably raise the grow cab one more foot for the extra space needed for the light)
 
hppy2balive

hppy2balive

Active Member
sdf said:
alright, thanks for all the replys guys, so basically t8s are better if your on a budget, but can they grow normal size plants or should i invest in a HPS or MH light? (if i should please tell me how many watts Id want for 3 normal plants, If using a HPS ill probably raise the grow cab one more foot for the extra space needed for the light)
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Well HPS and MH would be much better than those lights, least for Flowering! I dont think in Veg it really matters, HPS may be quicker but during VEG my CFL's work GREAT!! Id say follow the same guidelines for CFL's as with the t5 and t8 lighting, more WATTS the better. Id have atleast 100 watts per plant and if using t5,t8, or CFL make sure that they are close to the plant at all times!
 
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sdf

sdf

Well-Known Member
ok so a 4 Bulb T8 light set-up with a 3:1 6500k:3000K bulb ratio for veg and then switch to a HPS? What watt HPS should i use? (again 3 plants double topped)

Thank you for all the help :D
 
hppy2balive

hppy2balive

Active Member
400 or 600watt HPS would do, u gotta worry about heat so u just go as big as u can. Make sure to keep them temps 70-80degrees F. Happy Growing Buddy! To hott will stunt Growth, Burn ur plant, burn ur wallet, and ur house! all no good!!
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
T8s are the traditional grow lights for cutting and seedlings in the agriculture industry. T8s last longer and are more efficient w/lumen than the T5HOs most people use - someone posted the opposite which is incorrect although they are quite close. T8s produce much less heat. A plant can directly touch a t8 however it would burn on a T5.

T5s allow you to focus more lumen in a given area simply due to running more wattage per length. Due to the narrow diameter of the T5 bulb, T5 reflectors have a lower rate of restrike and are thus more efficient than T8 reflectors.

For flowering you really need the more intense light of a T5 but for veg/seedling/clones t8s are great as long as you keep them close enough.

I don't recommend aquarium bulbs as they don't compute grams/$ but this guy has a great T5 grow going. Might want to check it out. https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/358190-led-without-leds-my-first.html
 
T

Terms

New Member
Go with the T-8s unless you can Find t-5s for the Same Price
And you can sometimes. A guy here was selling 6 bulb 4 ft t-5 fixtures for 85 bucks. just Check Craigslist every now and again

You are just using them for vegging and Mothers ....right?
 
sdf

sdf

Well-Known Member
Yea only veg for the T8s (t5 if i can find for cheaper)
I decided Im going to get a 600Watt HPS grow light and put it in a 6" cooltube reflector to reduce some heat. This way if i decide to have a bigger grow area I can use the same light :)
Would a 600Watt light be too much for a 5'wide x 2'deep x 6'3tall grow area? Or should I make it 3' deep instead?

again thanks for all the help guys :D
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
I would make it 3ft and go with a vented hood instead of the cool tube - you'll get a better cast pattern with the same temps for the same price.
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
Ideal cast pattern of a 600w is 3x3 to 4x4. With a rectangular hood I would flower in a 3x4 area and use the 1x3 area left over for equipment. With a 5x2 area you'll be flowering over a 4x2 space so it's 8sq ft of canopy or you can have 12sq ft (33% more) by making it 3' deep.
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
sdf said:
Ok so would this (http://www.htgsupply.com/files/admin/img/Reflectors/web_EURO_GALLERY.jpg) work better then a cooling tube? And also I have a area uptop for equiptment (measuring 9"high x 5'long x 3'deep[if i extend from 2'deep to 3'deep])
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Oh god no. That is the reflector I have and NOT the reflector you want. I wouldn't buy too much from HTG other than a fan/filter combo. You can get much better equiptment for much cheaper elseware. What is your budget?

Here is a large 24" x 24" for $99 free shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-REFLECTOR-HOOD-w-GLASS-AIR-COOLED-GROW-LIGHT-HYDROPONICS-SIX-INCH-VENTS-COOL-/190603798452?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c60df27b4

With hoods you really want to go large and preferably in the shape of your enclosure. The link above is to a cheap large reflector but it is square, you can however find less expensive rectangular large reflectors on ebay if you look around. Let me know your budget and I'll send you some links. ANd what are your priorities? Quality or price?
 
sdf

sdf

Well-Known Member
my budget right now for the light, ballast and hood is about 400 total. And as far as priorities go Id like to have a balance of quality and price, you get what you pay for so its good to have a decent balance.
 
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