ballast change

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

hey all im wondering about t-8 lights and t-5 lights i done some searching and cannot find my answer so if you can help me out with id appreciate it and + rep ya rather get ya hi but im out lol anyway the t-5s are so expensive im on a fixed income (sucks) is there any diff between t8 and t5 if so what? i can get a t8 at lowes for under 50 bucks plus light tubes. if there is a huge diff can i take the ballast out of t12 and replace with t5 ballast they are about 50 bucks for 2 ( to run 4 tubes) then buy tube lights. im wanting to upgrade but am so broke thanks guys

hammer

Muffy · Feb 12, 2011

T5s are boss but they won't fit in a T8 reflector. Try to find a small halide if you can.

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

Muffy said:
T5s are boss but they won't fit in a T8 reflector. Try to find a small halide if you can.

i have a 1000 watt set up with metal halide bulb will that eat as elec as hps? that the big worry

taint · Feb 12, 2011

hps is more efficient than mh,draws the same juice though.
I use t8's solely for veg then under 1000 hps for flower,werks like a champ.

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

and if i get a t5 is a 4 bulb ok or would i need more will be veggin 15 or so at a time

TruenoAE86coupe · Feb 12, 2011

There is a lot of different bulbs for the t8s that range in lumen output fairly dramatically, so if you do enough research you can find very bright t8's, my quick search found ones rated above 3000 lumens for 32 watts, which is damn close to a t5. Probably more expensive for these bulbs. One thing i remember from my research is that the fixtures were half as much at either home depot or lowe's vs. the other. If you are strapped for cash i would do the t8's for now, but hydrofarm does now sell an 8 light t5 with bulbs that retails for $240, so you can find it online for closer to $2000, puts out 40,000 lumens. Just as a reference.

taint · Feb 12, 2011

I use the 32 watters,solid results with next to no heat.
I just buy the 4 foot shoplights at the hardware store and like the daylight bulbs as they seem too give better results.
I don't see enough differance to justify the expense of t5's.

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

TruenoAE86coupe said:
There is a lot of different bulbs for the t8s that range in lumen output fairly dramatically, so if you do enough research you can find very bright t8's, my quick search found ones rated above 3000 lumens for 32 watts, which is damn close to a t5. Probably more expensive for these bulbs. One thing i remember from my research is that the fixtures were half as much at either home depot or lowe's vs. the other. If you are strapped for cash i would do the t8's for now, but hydrofarm does now sell an 8 light t5 with bulbs that retails for $240, so you can find it online for closer to $2000, puts out 40,000 lumens. Just as a reference.

thanks trueno i went to ebay and found 8 tube t5 for 250 i will do some more looking and thanks for ur time and resources

Medi 1 · Feb 12, 2011

watts determines the cost to run them....for your mh versus hps. t8 and t5 cant be run in same ballast set up. there is also high output t5 and regs. thats the cost diff in the bulbs. i found sonme reg old t-12 i was using and had 3000k lumens as well. 42 watts. and was on sale for 3 bucks a bulb....daylight F-40 by GE ECOLUX

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

taint said:
I use the 32 watters,solid results with next to no heat.
I just buy the 4 foot shoplights at the hardware store and like the daylight bulbs as they seem too give better results.
I don't see enough differance to justify the expense of t5's.

hey taint i use shop lights now but i have to many hanging. in my way all the time they work just im kinda outgrowing them so to speak. lol it would be nice to have one fixture above instead of 3 ya know

taint · Feb 12, 2011

I feel ya,I got a 400 mh because of that a few years ago.
Switched back to the t8's within a year,just couldn't beat'em for cost effectiveness.
Whatever you decide good luck and have fun with it.

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

taint said:
I use the 32 watters,solid results with next to no heat.
I just buy the 4 foot shoplights at the hardware store and like the daylight bulbs as they seem too give better results.
I don't see enough differance to justify the expense of t5's.

taint said:
hps is more efficient than mh,draws the same juice though.
I use t8's solely for veg then under 1000 hps for flower,werks like a champ.

i went to lowes yesterday and looked for t5s but all they had wad t8s and i wasnt sure by the way t8s were4 bulb for 50 bucks maybe plus tubes. i can do 50 bucks and tubes so i am all good with t8 just make sure of 3000 lumens right kewl headed to town again i love livin in the sticks till its time to go to town 30 miles 1 way lol

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

also can u flower with t8s?

taint · Feb 12, 2011

Yes you can but the yield will suckass.

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

taint said:
Yes you can but the yield will suckass.

ok i have a friend using a 600 watt hps and has1 t5s on each side will this screw up his flowering as it is only supplementasl lighting

taint · Feb 12, 2011

Won't screw it up as long as it goes on and off with the 600.
I myself would not waste the time and money on doing that,I doubt the nets worth the output in cash.
I have learned that at the end of the day it's far better to buy 1000's,sealed hoods and eco fans.
The charges will be the same for a small cfl grow that nets dick as is for a 1000 that's throwing a pound a month.

hammer6913 · Feb 12, 2011

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taint said:
Won't screw it up as long as it goes on and off with the 600.
I myself would not waste the time and money on doing that,I doubt the nets worth the output in cash.
I have learned that at the end of the day it's far better to buy 1000's,sealed hoods and eco fans.
The charges will be the same for a small cfl grow that nets dick as is for a 1000 that's throwing a pound a month.

yea i ahve 1000watt sealed hood and vent hooked up and i love it tho i am a noob and haventy had a proper harvest yet too anxious i have a blueberry i didnt have any place to flower at this time i put her in the window and although i wont get much it will be prime smoke waiting till trichs turn a little amber not easy as i m out lol thanks taint

Crazyhair · Feb 13, 2011

I guess what I am not sure of is why do grow lights need a ballast?

TruenoAE86coupe · Feb 13, 2011

Several reasons for ballasts, bulbs run on different voltages than 120, Also to strike the larger bulbs you need a cap, and for hps an ignitor. These are not your old fashioned incandescent lighting, they are much advanced from that. Everybulb from cfl's to 1500 watt hps require a ballast.

hammer6913 · Feb 13, 2011

Crazyhair said:
I guess what I am not sure of is why do grow lights need a ballast?

well im not an elec but it might be to regulate elec to the bulb not sure just what sounds good to me lol hopefully someone will drop by and explain i know they need 1 lol

ballast change

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