Need help with lighting for my small space. T5 or LED?

Hi guys I had a few concerns before I ordered lights for my box in progress. Hopefully there are a few people out there that can help.

So a little about the box and what Im hoping to accomplish. Im turning a old big screen tv into a grow box. I figure since it is just sitting in my room why not. Its size is about 3'x2'x4'. I'm only planning on growing around 3 plants at a time and will only allow them to go 3' high. This will be there home throughout veg and flowering so I want overall lighting.

Here it is:




The outcome I want is something with good intensity and overall output without getting up close to the plants. Maybe something that could be placed in a fixed position if possible. I also want lights that wont add extra heat to the space(Which is my concern with the T5). I want to avoid extra holes and exhausts to keep the illusion.

Those are pretty much my only concerns. Im personally leaning towards a T5 because of the cost compared to LEDs. But if it will prevent high temps then I dont mind spending a little extra.

Input? Suggestions? HELP!!!!!

LED is certainly best for heat and energy efficiency. Plus, they don't burn the plants. But you will need ventilation regardless as well as odor control. If you need stealth appearance, then you need odor control too I assume. So I think you will have holes.

GrowinDad said:

LED is certainly best for heat and energy efficiency. Plus, they don't burn the plants. But you will need ventilation regardless as well as odor control. If you need stealth appearance, then you need odor control too I assume. So I think you will have holes.

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So would this be enough for my space since it say it can replace a 800w -1000w HPS grow light?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MU049W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3D0DG22EE8PIW&coliid=I1LO3BLOHN7D7

Stealth isn't a big issue I just think it would look better in my bedroom. As far as smell I just want to do a simple input and output and use one of those OZN-1 Ozone Generators, when needed. Or even a nice air purifier.

In my view, the difference between LED and T5 for a small space like this are small. T5s give around 100 lumens per watt, and although good LED chips do now exceed this, cheap chinese LEDs do not. So if you splash out on LED make sure you buy good chips that will actually work better than the much cheaper t5s.

Heat is very similar between LED and cfl fixtures...it's just that LED fixtures tend to have much much better designed thermal control. (since they tend to come in big metal boxes which are great for conducting heat, compared to the more compact t5 design.)

I would say "No" that LED panel won't perform at the same level as a 1000w HID, not even close. Stick with your plan to use T5 until you get your grow dialed in and then invest in a quality LED panel later if you feel the need. I did that and replaced a 400w HID with a LED SGS160 ($535) with close to the same results.

Whole section here if you choose to go the LED route. https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/

Here you will find many growers using fluros and cfls: https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-fluorescent-lighting/

My led panel raises the ambient temp in my grow closet by 1 degree. CFLs and H.O. T-5 create significant heat and in small cabs can be a big issue.

No matter what lighting type you choose your going to need ventilation, they all produce some heat. Even LEDs creat heat they just have heat sinks and fans which cool them and vent the heat away from the plants. t5's need to be kept within a few inches of the plants for good results, while LED need at least a foot of distance between them and the plants for them to be effective. In my opinion LED are the best for small spaces, but combing t5 and LED is really best, t5 lights make great side lighting while the LED makes great top lighting, put em together and you got yourself a very bright grow room.
Even the cheap Chinese LEDs can be good if you know what to look for in a good unit, I use Chinese LEDs and they work just fine for me.

prosperian said:

I would say "No" that LED panel won't perform at the same level as a 1000w HID, not even close. Stick with your plan to use T5 until you get your grow dialed in and then invest in a quality LED panel later if you feel the need. I did that and replaced a 400w HID with a LED SGS160 ($535) with close to the same results.

Whole section here if you choose to go the LED route. https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/

Here you will find many growers using fluros and cfls: https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-fluorescent-lighting/

My led panel raises the ambient temp in my grow closet by 1 degree. CFLs and H.O. T-5 create significant heat and in small cabs can be a big issue.

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Thanks for the info. Major help.

So I've made my decision after reading countless posts and reviews on products. I will go with both. I like the idea of being able to have the LED at a distance and im pretty sure I can find a nice unit that will provide more than enough light for my space. But just in case I have some 2 T8s that I am using as side lighting to support the compact cfls in my closet grow that im doing for practice. Its only been a month and I added them 2 weeks in but I can see the difference between having them and not. So Im going to use those and upgrade the bulbs. Maybe even add to more lights. And number 1 make sure my ventilation is on point.

So gentleman with that said I bid you adieu. Thanks for all the help. HAPPY TOKING!!!

That sounds like a good plan. Check these out http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-AgroMax-LED-Strip-Light---Tri-Band
I plan to supplement with these not quite T8 floro's but I like the idea of a small single bulb like that and the fact that you can daisy chain with these strip lights.

tkowitha123 said:

That sounds like a good plan. Check these out http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-AgroMax-LED-Strip-Light---Tri-Band
I plan to supplement with these not quite T8 floro's but I like the idea of a small single bulb like that and the fact that you can daisy chain with these strip lights.

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looks really expensive to me for only a 3 band spectrum and 20w's

I picked up a 6 band 300W LED from ebay. Looking at Adjorr's grow I can see the company has decent work.[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Plus it s[/FONT]eemed like a good start with it having 3 year warranty and a 8 sq.ft coverage area.

tkowitha123 said:

That sounds like a good plan. Check these out http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-AgroMax-LED-Strip-Light---Tri-Band
I plan to supplement with these not quite T8 floro's but I like the idea of a small single bulb like that and the fact that you can daisy chain with these strip lights.

Click to expand...

Not a bad idea. Definitely a direction worth looking into.