what light would be better for autos 150watt hps or T5

that bear smokey

that bear smokey

Well-Known Member
I am thinking of buying a new light for my small grow box. I am growing autos. I was wanting to know what light would be good. I can get a 150 watt hps or a 2ft x 4 bulb T5. I plan on growing 2 autos. any help would be great.
 
sonar

sonar

Well-Known Member
the hps by a landslide man. I have the same t5 fixture and I only use it for seedlings and vegging plants for a few weeks. After that, it just doesn't have the light penetration.

The hps will get significantly hotter though, so you need to consider ventilation and temp control.
 
808killahz

808killahz

Well-Known Member
hps would be better. How ever there are pros and cons to every light/set up. If you have a small grow room and heat will be an issue, it might be better to run the t5. Taking a smaller yield may be better than coming home one day and finding out you burnt the shit outta your plants. The Yield may be smaller with t5's but you can do some LST to make up that margin. And if you are just starting, cost may also be a factor. T5's run way cooler and a little cheaper to buy, and they might eliminate the cost of buying inline fans. They also use way less electricity, which, if you live in a place like Hawaii with crazy rates, is a very good thing. But if you have the gear, the ability to keep it cool, and you can afford it, definitely run the Hps. Also if stealth is a priority, inline fans can get a little loud...
 
that bear smokey

that bear smokey

Well-Known Member
808killahz said:
hps would be better. How ever there are pros and cons to every light/set up. If you have a small grow room and heat will be an issue, it might be better to run the t5. Taking a smaller yield may be better than coming home one day and finding out you burnt the shit outta your plants. The Yield may be smaller with t5's but you can do some LST to make up that margin. And if you are just starting, cost may also be a factor. T5's run way cooler and a little cheaper to buy, and they might eliminate the cost of buying inline fans. They also use way less electricity, which, if you live in a place like Hawaii with crazy rates, is a very good thing. But if you have the gear, the ability to keep it cool, and you can afford it, definitely run the Hps. Also if stealth is a priority, inline fans can get a little loud...
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here is my gor box. 28 1/2W x 31 1/2H x 11 1/2D. I dont think my box would be big enough for a 150watt hps. I think it would get too hot. I plan on growing 2 autos and they will be LSTed. If you think a 150watt hps would fit in that box. what fan setup do you think I would need. I have 2x120mm computer fans and 1x80mm computer fan. would those keep a 150watt hps cool enough? If the ballest is outside the box? would I have enough height from the plants to the light if the plants are LSTed?
 
backyardagain

backyardagain

Well-Known Member
im running a 150w hps right now in a 2x2x5.5 tent also witha 135w led.(dont know actual draw of lights) but they love it.
 
808killahz

808killahz

Well-Known Member
yea i definitely think you should go with t5's in your case. your grow box (in my opinion) is too small for a HID light. If you go with a HPS, after mounting it in your box, you will be left with maybe 2 ft of height for plants. considering your pot size you maybe left with even less. unless you are growing some real stubby, short plants, i dont think you will have adequate space to prevent your plants tops from burning. Plants need to be several inches if not much farther from Hps lights to prevent burning them. Computer fans in my opinion wont provide you with enough air movement to effectively cool your box. If you have an A/C supplying cool air, that might be a different story, however the distance from the plant tops to the light is still an issue.

I would run the t5's up top and also run some vertically on the sides as well. This will provide you with extra lighting for those branches on the bottom giving you a little better yield as well. dont forget to LST. your computer fans would also work fine in this senario as well.

I know using HID lights seem like the shiznit (and it is), but ive seen some great stuff grown under flourescents and cfl's too. Dont be hesitant to use them. Im testing some right now on a indoor tent grow and its working great so far.
 
that bear smokey

that bear smokey

Well-Known Member
808killahz said:
yea i definitely think you should go with t5's in your case. your grow box (in my opinion) is too small for a HID light. If you go with a HPS, after mounting it in your box, you will be left with maybe 2 ft of height for plants. considering your pot size you maybe left with even less. unless you are growing some real stubby, short plants, i dont think you will have adequate space to prevent your plants tops from burning. Plants need to be several inches if not much farther from Hps lights to prevent burning them. Computer fans in my opinion wont provide you with enough air movement to effectively cool your box. If you have an A/C supplying cool air, that might be a different story, however the distance from the plant tops to the light is still an issue.

I would run the t5's up top and also run some vertically on the sides as well. This will provide you with extra lighting for those branches on the bottom giving you a little better yield as well. dont forget to LST. your computer fans would also work fine in this senario as well.

I know using HID lights seem like the shiznit (and it is), but ive seen some great stuff grown under flourescents and cfl's too. Dont be hesitant to use them. Im testing some right now on a indoor tent grow and its working great so far.
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yes I know about CFLs I grew 2 lowryder#2 autos using CFL and got almost an once from each.
 
Fatty McDoobs

Fatty McDoobs

Well-Known Member
I got 34.4 grams using CFL's off one auto. Box is 4ftx3ftx3ft 3 120mm pc fans 2exhaust 1 intake. But with my box closed temps get to about 91-95 so my box stays open when lights are on and temps are perfect. I just added a 250CFL and reflector. Check it out.
 
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