I know I am just a no one when it comes to knowing anything, lol, but I went with the 4 foot 8 bulb T5's from Apollo.
I freaking love them too, they do produce heat within a couple of feet too, was really suprised...Here is the info I read that lead me to my purchase...
Product Description
Apollo Horticulture is pleased to present a new wave of efficiency and stability to their line of Grow Lights by introducing the new T5 Grow Light System. Our T5 System is designed to compete with high intensity discharge bulbs in terms of light intensity and output. This Grow Light is formulated to offer you the following benefits:
Efficient: T5 Bulbs are small in diameter, but work as bright and efficient light sources. The electronic ballasts used in the T5 lighting applications run well over 100,000 start voltages before they begin to lose their efficiency. Additionally, the average useable life span for these bulbs is well over 20,000 hours.
Dependable: Man-made light sources experience some level of lumen depreciation over time. Lumen depreciation is the light source’s ability to retain high lumen output levels throughout the source’s rated life. T5 fluorescent bulbs will only depreciate between 8 and 10 percent of their rated lumen output throughout their lives.
Cost-Efficient: Less wattages = lower cost. A key factor in switching to T5 lighting is its ability to not only produce better light, but also to do so while consuming far less energy. Apollo Horticulture’s T5 Grow Light is much more cost-efficient to maintain over time, and by switching over, you will be able to reap its’ benefits in no time.
Superior Plant Health: T5 lamps promote incredible health and bloom of seedlings and cuttings. With Apollo Horticulture’s T5 System, root development will be superior to other lighting sources. Furthermore, it is also able to produce enough light for full-term growth. Combined with T5’s efficiency, the lamps can be placed 6-8″ above the plant canopy to maximize photosynthesis response.
Product Details
- 1 – Apollo Horticulture Lighting System with a 7.5′ Grounded 120V Power Cord
- Package Includes 8 -54W T5 Fluorescent Bulbs – 6400K
- Fixture Measures – 48″ x 24″ x 2″
- Total Wattage – 432W / 4.0A
- This lighting system can be hang 3 ways – Overhead, Vertical, or Horizontal
I am using 2 of these in my just built 8 x 8 x 8 foot veg room, 2 seems perfect for now.