LED Without LEDs -My First T5 Grow
- Thread starter pr0fesseur
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PROF XAVIER
Well-Known Member
hey guys, Recently decided to dust off a old salt water tank fixture (tek light 6 bulb 36") and give t5 a try, already have 6 bulbs used for coral. I know I need more red, but which of my current bulbs should I keep. I've decided to just ask after researching for 8 hours and reading this thread for 6 hours more!! My eyes hurt after a couple hundred pages and countless searches. So I have: 2 x giesemann actinic+ 39w 2 x giesemann aquablue+ 39w 1 x korallen zucht Coral Light 39w (i think its this one http://www.korallen-zucht.de/en/shop/products--technology/lighting/84_t5-coral-light-39-w.html 1 x korallen zucht Coral Light Fiji Purple. I know to keep fiji, actinic, not sure if both actinic in a 6 bulb setup, worth it? get another fiji? coral light has a good par according to a thread on different t5s. but not sure. its seems like nobody uses a 6 bulb setup, everyone's config is either 4 or 8 bulb. what are everyones thoughts on my bulbs and/or optimal 6 bulb setup given current bulbs?? willing to swap for bloom. ............... sorry not sure why the text is not paragraphed.....
PetFlora
Well-Known Member
First are the bulbs/fixture HO? If not growth and yield will be smaller, but go with what you got is my motto.
Don't know the color spectral balance of these, but look at a normal grow bulb spectrum (~ 6500) and use it as a base line to determine what bulbs to blend for veg. During flower you want to slowly ramp up more and more red until you have 1/6 blue-ish + 5 red
Don't know the color spectral balance of these, but look at a normal grow bulb spectrum (~ 6500) and use it as a base line to determine what bulbs to blend for veg. During flower you want to slowly ramp up more and more red until you have 1/6 blue-ish + 5 red
Sorry, I forgot to mention, it is an HO fixture and bulbs. Thanks for the reply! I get the idea of spectrums, more going for an opinion on current bulbs i have, and ideal setup to strive for. But I'll tell ya, those redder spectrum bulbs seem to be very difficult to find here up north on the west coast. And nobody wants to carry 36" bulbs! Guess I might have to order and pay through the teeth on shipping.
the only bulb without a chart is the Coral Light. the other charts are http://www.aquaristik.giesemann.de/588,2,POWERCHROME aquablue plus,.html? Giesemann Lichttechnik - http://www.aquaristik.giesemann.de/587,2,POWERCHROME T-5 actinic-plus ,.html? Giesemann Lichttechnik - and of course the nobody really knows for sure graph of fiji purps http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/images/t5lighting/giesemann fiji purple.jpg ps - I though I might add, the idea for this adventure is to replace a pro grow 260 in current setup. It has done well, but scrog is the next thing to tackle and I though the the 3' long t5 fixture that fits exactly in the space would give better light distribution, can anyone compare t5 ho to a pro grow 260????
Fonzarelli
Active Member
They are deep, deep inside your mind within the gaps you call "empty space."
Fonzarelli
Active Member
Oh no! Not again, LOL!
I couldn't handle the tension anymore and just HAD to find out the REAL spectrum of the Fiji Purple T5's so I bought a $2000 spectrometer JUST to find out that spectrum. Now that I have the spectrum of the Fiji, I might as well throw out the spectrometer.......LOL
J/K, yeah, take a look back here and you will find what you seek.
Fonzarelli
Active Member
I will strongly disagree with this statement. Only because the benefits I have received from using them. The LS strain I've had going for the last I don't know how many months are soaking up that 660nm light like a sponge. I've tried the 630nm light with the LS and it doesn't even touch the benefits I've gotten from the 660nm wavelength.
I don't know how you are using the 660nm, but I wanted to say to not disregard the 660nm just because they haven't worked quite right for you, which could be due to the "other colors" you have chosen to run side by side with the 660nm.
I'm not "at one" with the english language right now so bare with me a little bit. LOL
The point I'm trying to make is for example, just because the 660nm doesn't seem to work well with your strains, which last time I was aware you were growing Indicas and they like a more red heavy spectrum. The 630nm work better for Indicas I think because they push the red spectrum "harder" than the 660nm in available photonic energy whereas the 660nm push photosynthesis more. What I'm trying to say is the 630nm wavelength will shift the overall color of the light to the red side more than the 660nm giving your Indica's a "redder" spectrum using fewer lamps, BUT, the 660nm will drive photosynthesis better than 630nm and still keep a "blue heavy" spectrum that Sativa's like such as my LS(Lemon Skunk).
I know this is probably confusing for you and everyone else so take it easy on me after I post this. I can try to clarify later, but to simplify, 630nm DOES work very well with Indica's because they love a red heavy color spectrum. I ask you to try using 660nm lamps and create a blue heavy spectrum and try some Sativa's. You will see what I'm getting at.
I don't think there is a point in using the 660nm with Indica's when using T5's. Led's will be a different story because you can fine tune the spectrum with using many more light sources. When you only have 4 to 8 slots open in a T5 fixture, lamp choice becomes extremely delicate.
I will tell you what has been working quite well for me in the T5 world for Sativa's. Blue/660nm/Blue/660nm. Adding a Florasun or 2 in there has really boosted shit due to the completion of the spectrum perhaps, but either way I've tried to use 630nm redsuns and the redsuns just don't do shit compared to the 660nm for the Lemon Skunk.
630nm will push the red spectrum for your fixture, but 660nm will push photosynthesis harder, but if you don't get the balance of light color to the red side for an Indica you will see weaker growth. Not sure if my Sour diesels are Indica dominant, but they don't like the 660nm/blue/660nm/blue with or without Florasuns because they prefer a yellow/red/orange dominant spectrum and prefer MH hortilux blue which is mostly yellow/green/orange and that 630nm color you like so much. The Sour diesels do very well under the MH hortilux blue but don't do well under the T5's unless i throw in some 630 like the coralife 6500k whatever the fuck they are called that have a lot of 630nm and orange/yellow/green in them.
Fuck, I know I'm not putting the words together well, but I'm really sucking right now. A big fat F for me in my compositional drafting. LMAO
PetFlora
Well-Known Member
I think this pretty much says what needed to be said
I don't think there is a point in using the 660nm with Indica's when using T5's. 630nm will push the red spectrum for your fixture, but 660nm will push photosynthesis harder, but if you don't get the balance of light color to the red side for an Indica you will see weaker growth.
Now, 660s cost >$30 per AND only last ~ 6 months. That's too rich for my blood, at least for the potential ROI. Add to this, most genetics are hybrid, and you begin to see the problem. The good news is you can buy a couple and use them sparingly to get more out of them
I don't think there is a point in using the 660nm with Indica's when using T5's. 630nm will push the red spectrum for your fixture, but 660nm will push photosynthesis harder, but if you don't get the balance of light color to the red side for an Indica you will see weaker growth.
Now, 660s cost >$30 per AND only last ~ 6 months. That's too rich for my blood, at least for the potential ROI. Add to this, most genetics are hybrid, and you begin to see the problem. The good news is you can buy a couple and use them sparingly to get more out of them
This is an awesome thread with ALOT of info. I'm not trying to be lazy but 488 pages is a bunch of info to go through. I have a 12 lamp T5 and I would greatly appreciate it if someone could tell me what bulbs would be best for flower? I see the 660's and while steep, I wouldn't mind supplementing a couple of bulbs if it is worth it - but not all 12! LOL....
But if someone doesn't mind, a "optimal" t5 list for a 12 bulb would be appreciated
But if someone doesn't mind, a "optimal" t5 list for a 12 bulb would be appreciated
PetFlora
Well-Known Member
I get you. I have modified my 660 position to reflect strain preferences. However, I did use a combination of 660 and Coral Wave for flower with my Sat dom crosses. I can't say it added any significant weight to the final tally
Also, at least with T5s the life expectancy of 660 is max 3 flowerings, @ $30+ a pop. SOooooooooo, this would be a good place to use leds as pontoons, ala IndaGrow
Lsst grow, I flowered with 2 FloraSuns + 2 Red Lifes + one 660 + one Coral Wave. I was not unhappy with either yield or quality
PetFlora
Well-Known Member
First, get 3 @ 4 bulb. It's plenty hard to reach half way under an 8 bulb to swap or replace a bulb when you have a bunch of plants in there.This is an awesome thread with ALOT of info. I'm not trying to be lazy but 488 pages is a bunch of info to go through. I have a 12 lamp T5 and I would greatly appreciate it if someone could tell me what bulbs would be best for flower? I see the 660's and while steep, I wouldn't mind supplementing a couple of bulbs if it is worth it - but not all 12! LOL....
But if someone doesn't mind, a "optimal" t5 list for a 12 bulb would be appreciated
Second, it is easier to drop led light strips in between
Thanks... I kinda thought the same thing - hindsight and all that :/ I'll put my 12 bulb on ebay and get the 4 bulb... So what bulb ratio do you recommend? It seemed to work decent with regular 6500k but Id like to stick with T5 and maximize it's usage.
canadian1969
Well-Known Member
Anyone care to make recommendation on a 4' 8 bulb panel? I'm looking to purchase one for say a 2x4 or 5x5 tent. I will order the bulbs separately, just not sure what manufacturer to go with for the fixture.
What sized panel gives you the best bang for your buck these days?
What sized panel gives you the best bang for your buck these days?
Kite High
Well-Known Member
http://www.aquatraders.com/48-inch-4x54W-T5-Aquarium-Light-Fixture-p/52305.htm external ballast $99 shipping included
Kite High
Well-Known Member
I agree and would go with two of the above...I have 4 of the same company's dual lamp fixtures and they are outstanding