Has anyone used T5 LED tubes?

farmasensist

farmasensist

Well-Known Member
I have two T5 fixtures I use to veg, 4' long 4 bulbs and most have burned out, only have 3 bulbs left. I was thinking of getting some LED tubes so I won't have to replace the bulbs as often, use less power, lower heat, all sounds good. I don't think I've seen anyone else using them.

Looking online, I noticed there are a bunch to choose from or very little depending where you look. Some have a ballast already attached, some look like they have the white powder coating the tubes, others you can see the indevidual led's, and they were ranging in wattage by quite a bit, then you have all the different colors. I just wanted to see if anyone has any experience or helpful advice before I place an order.
 
A

az2000

Well-Known Member
I would think the unfrosted would be more efficient, less loss passing light through a diffuser. But, the distance you run them at may make a difference. (If your grow space is short, you might need diffusion. It might depend on the efficiency/strength of the diodes used too.).

The only tubes I've seen recommended are these Redbirds:
http://www.redbirdled.com/products.php
https://www.rollitup.org/t/high-output-led-strips.881321/

I don't understand the topic of whether to use internal or external ballast/driver. (I think I would do external just so you have a more plug-n-play setup (replace tubes, not drivers?).
 
personal lux

personal lux

Well-Known Member
farmasensist said:
I have two T5 fixtures I use to veg, 4' long 4 bulbs and most have burned out, only have 3 bulbs left. I was thinking of getting some LED tubes so I won't have to replace the bulbs as often, use less power, lower heat, all sounds good. I don't think I've seen anyone else using them.

Looking online, I noticed there are a bunch to choose from or very little depending where you look. Some have a ballast already attached, some look like they have the white powder coating the tubes, others you can see the indevidual led's, and they were ranging in wattage by quite a bit, then you have all the different colors. I just wanted to see if anyone has any experience or helpful advice before I place an order.
Click to expand...
As far as LED strip lighting goes most 4 ft strip are 60-90 a peice. I'd suggest you stager some hortilux power veg t5s with a spectralux or equal brand of t5s.
 
C

covert222

Well-Known Member
I don't understand why your t5s are burning out so fast. You have really old wiring? The t5 usually burn forever
 
BOBBY_G

BOBBY_G

Well-Known Member
covert222 said:
I don't understand why your t5s are burning out so fast. You have really old wiring? The t5 usually burn forever
Click to expand...

our shop has high bay t5s installed in 2008 and havent lost a bulb yet. on 12-18 hrs a day. every t8 in the office has blown.... i think ballast quality has a lot to do with it
 
farmasensist

farmasensist

Well-Known Member
http://www.transcendlighting.com/store/p5/T5_High_Output_LED_Tube.html

I found these but they are $70 a bulb but they are also 30 watts. I remember seeing some idk 15-20 watt bulbs for less than $20. Not sure if they would be good for growing. I'm looking for just a bulb I can twist into an existing ballast and some of them look like they would bit then you start reading and it sounds like they need some rewiring.

These aren't the exact ones from the link but look similar. The ones in the link were advertised as grow lights and were white. Couldn't see the chips.

0016828_300.jpeg.cf.jpg
 
farmasensist

farmasensist

Well-Known Member
az2000 said:
I would think the unfrosted would be more efficient, less loss passing light through a diffuser. But, the distance you run them at may make a difference. (If your grow space is short, you might need diffusion. It might depend on the efficiency/strength of the diodes used too.).

The only tubes I've seen recommended are these Redbirds:
http://www.redbirdled.com/products.php
https://www.rollitup.org/t/high-output-led-strips.881321/

I don't understand the topic of whether to use internal or external ballast/driver. (I think I would do external just so you have a more plug-n-play setup (replace tubes, not drivers?).
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what the internal or external is either. The site looks like its mostly indoor lighting for stores and stuff but I might give them a call they got the same area code as me, I like supporting local business.

The flourescent bulbs I had came with the ballast and it was a floor model. Half of them lasted about two years. Thinking of it that way, it might just be easier to go to home depo and get whatever lights they have since I'll just be vegging with them.
 
T

Team.Grim

New Member
Growlights.ca you'll find them under t5 retrofit bulbs they have 3 specs for 2ft and 4ft tubes, I just ordered 4 2packs of 5500k for 200.00cad in total. Our dollar is incredibly weak right now even after import fees and shipping you guys on the other side of the border can still save some bucks.

I bought my t5 set off kijiji 6 months ago god only knows how old the bulbs are

Looking forward to the reduction in heat and power usage. Will let y'all know what I think after a couple weeks of veg with them
 
cherrycoke77

cherrycoke77

Well-Known Member
farmasensist said:
http://www.transcendlighting.com/store/p5/T5_High_Output_LED_Tube.html

I found these but they are $70 a bulb but they are also 30 watts. I remember seeing some idk 15-20 watt bulbs for less than $20. Not sure if they would be good for growing. I'm looking for just a bulb I can twist into an existing ballast and some of them look like they would bit then you start reading and it sounds like they need some rewiring.

These aren't the exact ones from the link but look similar. The ones in the link were advertised as grow lights and were white. Couldn't see the chips.

View attachment 3579745
Click to expand...
I bought some like that, they reacted better to t5. But it's all what you wanna do
 
T

Team.Grim

New Member
cherrycoke77 said:
I bought some like that, they reacted better to t5. But it's all what you wanna do
Click to expand...
Which spectrum and what was your wattage draw on the bulb? I figured they won't grow as quickly but don't mind if I loose 20% of my rate of growth in veg for a 35% immediate reduction in that tents lighting costs. Still using them?
 
N

nmibud

Well-Known Member
I use them for seedlings,they do not stretch much.I vegged under them for awhile, but it was too slow.I have moved up to cobs and mostly clones so I don't use them much anymore.
 
PetFlora

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
farmasensist said:
http://www.transcendlighting.com/store/p5/T5_High_Output_LED_Tube.html

I found these but they are $70 a bulb but they are also 30 watts. I remember seeing some idk 15-20 watt bulbs for less than $20. Not sure if they would be good for growing. I'm looking for just a bulb I can twist into an existing ballast and some of them look like they would bit then you start reading and it sounds like they need some rewiring.

These aren't the exact ones from the link but look similar. The ones in the link were advertised as grow lights and were white. Couldn't see the chips.

View attachment 3579745
Click to expand...
I have completed a grow using a full set of TL LED tubes. They work rally well, BUT, ~ $70 x 8 there are a lot of really good/better panels
 
T

Team.Grim

New Member
PetFlora said:
I have completed a grow using a full set of TL LED tubes. They work rally well, BUT, ~ $70 x 8 there are a lot of really good/better panels
Click to expand...
On the site I posted a link too you can pickup 8 for roughly 160-175 USD couple different spectrums to choose from
 
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