Which Fluorescent Fixture Do I Want?

My needs are fairly simple, I think. I'm looking to buy a setup that will allow me to do two things: 1. Start and veg seedlings for about 4-5 weeks before moving outside, and 2. Veg clones for about 4 weeks until I can move them out without initiating flowering. I plan to use no more space than that necessary for one standard seedling tray.

I've never used artificial lighting before, so any and all advice is greatly appreciated. After a bit of online research I've been looking at a few options, each with either 64k or 65k bulbs. First, I was looking at HydroFarm's EnviroGro 2ft, 4 tube 8000 lumen system but someone told me that is more than I would need and suggested the 2 tube model at 4000 lumens. Is that one enough light for what I want? Also saw a 125W CFL bulb/fixture system that sends out just about as much light, 7000 lumens, as the 2/4 system. Cost is not a factor since all three of these fall within about $20 of each other.

To my uneducated eyes it seems all would work, but I'm wise enough to know that I don't know. Thank you much for any help.

2ft, 4 tube 8000 lumen system sounds good.
The 125W CFL bulb is less efficient from what I understand.

I have like a 200w(?) Cfl and it doesnt live up to what I thought it would be. After looking at more of the larger cfls you notice the smaller ones are way more efficient. For instance I have two 55w that put out 4.9k lumens a piece. Thats 110 w putting out more than a 125w and even rhe 200 only puts out like 10k.

So all in all dont go big cfl. Small ones are great though for vegging small plants. Just get more small ones (not lower than 23 actual watts per bulb though, I find the tiny ones dont throw light as well) I also have a 4ft 4 bulb t5ho that ive been using for veg recently and its not too shabby. Easy to spread light with and you can hang it in any angle.

Also with small cfls its easy to build a small enclosure for the plants and just use a small fan to pull heat out.

How big is your grow space and how many plants are in there vegging?

sno capz said:

How big is your grow space and how many plants are in there vegging?

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Well, this will only be for starting seedlings and getting a little size to them before moving outside after 4-5 weeks. Plan at this point is to basically do what I do now, only inside a little earlier - start 6 seeds at a time.

Really appreciate the help, all. Thank you.

Still going to do a little thinking, but at this point I'm leaning toward the 2ft/4 tube fixture, possibly going HO. The price difference between the 2 and 4 tube enclosures is so small it probably doesn't make sense to go small and chance not having the coverage and intensity I need.

I would go with a 4ft x 4 bulb if you have the space

I bought some cheap 4ft 4 tube t5s from amazon there were like 50 bucks a piece. They work great and are brighter to my eyes then my sun blaze fixture. I spent 150 dollars for 3 lightso and have had for 2 years now and I don't have one complaint

anzohaze said:

I bought some cheap 4ft 4 tube t5s from amazon there were like 50 bucks a piece. They work great and are brighter to my eyes then my sun blaze fixture. I spent 150 dollars for 3 lightso and have had for 2 years now and I don't have one complaint

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Then you ran across a good find my friend! What kind of lights are they? Any specific manufacturer name?

I used to have a sun blaze and I loved it however I think when I buy my next t5 I'll buy a VHO just to see its pH performance

sno capz said:

Then you ran across a good find my friend! What kind of lights are they? Any specific manufacturer name?

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Give me a sec ill.look them up brb. They went up in price a bit but I like them

I only need it for seedlings/cuttings and early veg...

I may grab a couple cheap ones for now until I do my VHO research and drop a decent amount of money on a new permanent fixture. Plus it's always nice to have back up or supplemental lighting

sno capz said:

I only need it for seedlings/cuttings and early veg...

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They have switches on them so you can turn 2 bulb on or off at a time. My sun blaze are 1 switch

I built a small seedling/ early veg cabinet and that's what I use them for.

Those are with bloom bulbs... Do they offer the fixture with 6500k's?

Yes you can choose what bulbs your want. I got 6500ks

Have any pics of results of using this setup?

Got me curious... I use MH for veg now but ive got babies that are 1 day old from 7 day rooted clones! I currently have cfl's on them but was going to go buy a t5 today or tomorrow and the clones are still small enough that the cfl is providing plenty of light but I don't like the look of cfl's hanging all over the place... A fixture is much cleaner looking and provides the space with less cords and clutter...

sno capz said:

Have any pics of results of using this setup?

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No I Dont Think Have pics. when I cline I use a basic screw in probably 30 watt CFL for cloner. Then when I put them in soil I put them under t5s until a month or so roughly then transplant them into my bigger pots