T5 vs 1000 watt MH for Veg

Whould the 1000 watt be better for veg because of a higher output??? Or not much of a difference? Also is the light schedules the same 18/6??? alot of people use t5s then switch to 1000 hps to flower is this to save electricity???
 

jimmy jones

Active Member
The 1000w would be much better just be sure not to keep the lights too close. Even farther if your plants are young/seedlings. Yes the light schedule stays the same.
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
1000W MH is way better I have a 1000W MH / HPS but I use my T5 for vegging just because its cheaper on the electric bill and I get better life out of my ballast. You wont get major stretch like I do when I go to 12/12..
 

pr0fesseur

Well-Known Member
Not flaming but when vegging with a 1000W your wasting $$$ check my thread T5 BadBoy I use nothing but T5 for veg and bloom. I explain how lumens and watts dont mean much when your dealing with efficient t5 bulbs designed for photosynthesis. Im not talking about veg and bloom t5 those are garbage! throw them all away! heres what im up to now with t5 one month later with Kandy Kush.
IMG_20110521_183156.jpg
When you have a fixture that claims X watts, you have to also consider that (X= Input power). The true power you are using due to inefficiencies such as (Y=magnetic/copper loss) is equal to X+Y. For Example:

Metal Halides:
Claim:
250w puts out 16500 lumens
Actual:
295w total due to inefficiencies (Y) puts out 16500 lumens

T5s
Claim:
54w puts out 5000 lumens
Actual:
62w total due to inefficiencies (Y) puts out 5000 lumens

What does this mean?

(2) 250 watt Metal Halides
you burn 590 watts to get 33000 Lumens with Metal Halides

(6) 54 watt T5s
you burn 372 watts to get 30000 lumens with T5s
 

skiweeds

Active Member
go 24/7 its faster than 18/6. you wont save overall on your electric bill because you will be vegging for several more days to get the same results. i used to use a mh but i switched to a t5 and hps. the reason i use a hps in veg is because when you go from a blue spectrum in veg, to a red spectrum in flower, you will get some stretching because the plant isnt used to it.
 

slob

Member
Metal Halides:
Claim:
250w puts out 16500 lumens
Actual:
295w total due to inefficiencies (Y) puts out 16500 lumens

T5s
Claim:
54w puts out 5000 lumens
Actual:
62w total due to inefficiencies (Y) puts out 5000 lumens

What does this mean?

(2) 250 watt Metal Halides
you burn 590 watts to get 33000 Lumens with Metal Halides

(6) 54 watt T5s
you burn 372 watts to get 30000 lumens with T5s[/QUOTE]

Hey pr0fesseur, your calculations for watts used and lumens received is great, i have been searching for info like this, i was wondering if you have more info (or know where i can get the info) for more types of bulbs?
thanks
 

pr0fesseur

Well-Known Member
The 2w and 3w leds are in terms of efficiency the 1w chips are more efficient in Watts / PAR Flux. This is a known fact. 2w/3w leds have more penetrating power through the canopy. However i must warn you.. for $160 i can get an 8bulb fixture and and for 125 i can get all 8 bulbs to fill it. $285 total for 432w add a second set of bulbs and im still under $500. Im all about saving $$$ you want the led's fine use them... the t5 have more penetrating power than led and more efficient that HID and less heat... im just trying to give you bang for your $$ LED tech has been notoriously vague and misleading with the type and quality of led's that they actually use. When i buy T5 i check the SPD charts and get the best spectrum i can for my $. I personally like to know what brand of bulb i am getting. Some of my bulbs even have internal reflectors! Remember that Led's have to be closer than t5 and HID. check my pics and you'll see that what i'm doing.
 
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