48" T12 ?
- Thread starter mike4c4
- Start date
emepher
Well-Known Member
The best thing to do with it would be to throw it in a dumpster somewhere, or brighten up your garage or basement. But my smartass answer is completely useless, so a better answer is that it depends on the bulbs, I suppose. See what the rated lumen output is for your bulbs - probably around 2700 for 4ft 40W T12, and not too different for 4ft 32W T8. Compare the ratings for your actual bulbs, and remember to consider that T12s lose a lot more of their initial brightness more quickly than do T8s, or so I've read - definitely within your 30-day time frame. More lumens = better, but T8 tubes don't dim as quickly. Many ballasts are compatible with both T8 and T12.
What happens after a month?
mike4c4
Well-Known Member
my new grow room will be ready. I just need the light for veg.. I have never used floressents before except for my clones. I have always vegged under 400 MH, but put them in flower at 12" so was thinking of using T5HO in the new room and figured id use this and see how it does, I know T5s are better just figured it would give i some idea which way to go.
DemonTrich
Well-Known Member
t12 to light up work area
t8 and t5 for cloning and vegging if need be
I use 2x 4' 4 bulb t8 6500k in veg as some extra side lighting beside my hood.
t8 and t5 for cloning and vegging if need be
I use 2x 4' 4 bulb t8 6500k in veg as some extra side lighting beside my hood.
nomofatum
Well-Known Member
You can run the T8's on the T12 ballast without issue. If the ballast doesn't support T8 it will drive them at 40w instead of 32w resulting in more output than the 2800-3000lm per bulb rated, but likely a bit shorter bulb life and a hair lower efficiency.
There are 3 bulb types I would recommend you look at:
3000k-3500k More Red for flower
5500k-6500k More Blue for veg/stem/stock
UVB for THC/Resin Production (available in whatever form of florescent [cfl,t12,t8,t5ho] you choose)
Don't lock yourself into one bulb type. No reason you can't or shouldn't mix HID, LED, and Florescent. HPS or MH both are lacking in areas of the spectrum, Florescent is perfect to supplement those.
There are 3 bulb types I would recommend you look at:
3000k-3500k More Red for flower
5500k-6500k More Blue for veg/stem/stock
UVB for THC/Resin Production (available in whatever form of florescent [cfl,t12,t8,t5ho] you choose)
Don't lock yourself into one bulb type. No reason you can't or shouldn't mix HID, LED, and Florescent. HPS or MH both are lacking in areas of the spectrum, Florescent is perfect to supplement those.
mike4c4
Well-Known Member
Thinks very helpful. Im picking up the new bulbs tomorrow. Im getting T8 daylight
nomofatum
Well-Known Member
Daylight is usually 5500-6500k. Great for veg and good as supplemental to a HPS along with UVB in flower.
mike4c4
Well-Known Member
I know and like i said i flower under 2000 watts HPS and have always vegged under 400 watt MH. only thinking of putting this up for seedlings.
FromTheDepths
Member
Hey buddy i do the same thing, except at the moment the only extra lighting i have is 2 6500 cfls, i have another t8 ballast that is 5000k and 2 tube fixture should i use this aswell? i have the t8 set up vertically because i only have 3 little baby plants 8 days old. Vertical t8 with 2 cfls on top, and i might add another vertical t8 just picture the lights around and on top of the plant
FromTheDepths
Member
I have the bulbs and the fixture, its just there 5000k
mike4c4
Well-Known Member
Did you leave the post you started about this? I answered it there. You should be nicer to people.
And i would put the T8 on top and clf for side.what is the watts on the clf? are they 24 watt? If you are trying to use a clf bulb without a hood "of some type" you will be wasting more light than you use.
nomofatum
Well-Known Member
The bulbs are like $3-4 each, just go get some of the more ideal color temps, but 5000k will work fine, just not quite as well.
FromTheDepths
Member
the 5000 spectrums are for the extra t8s i have
FromTheDepths
Member
I dont do or say anything without reason. and the cfls are hooded pointing downward, the reason i threw the t8 vertically on the wall is because the area is almost like a small square, so the reflection once i throw some up is gonna be great! which leads me to this what paint is the one for reflection again? and does anybody use a product called reflectix, it looks like car windshield cover but great reflectivity
FromTheDepths
Member
im gonna throw the other t8 on the other side of the wall prlly tonight like this {...} with cfls on top and reflective gear all around
FromTheDepths
Member
its gonna be one side 5000 and one side 6500 though
i would interexchange them but there different sized t8
mike4c4
Well-Known Member
It dont mater to me what you do, its not mine. Why do you ask a question and not want a answer. You need help bro
FromTheDepths
Member
Its more of an add thing i apologize if its bothering you, with knowledge comes more questioning. Its just the way my brain works
mike4c4
Well-Known Member
I dont know about reflectix, but white paint is the best.