T5s brands...need advice

[Hippie hipper]

Hey guys, finally saved up enough money to get a t5 veg light. My issue is brands...agrobrite is the cheapest(well there are cheaper but I want a good brand) sunblaze is a bit more, quantum is a lot more! I'm going for a 2ft 8 bulb for veg! So anyone vouche for what brand is reliable? Also it has to be ready to use power veg bulbs(2 420 2 460 2 Uvb) or.......go Chinese led like the viparspectra 300w

Agrobrite
Sunblaze
Hydroplanet
Viparspectra 300led

 

[Dave Baker]

I've had good experiences with sunblaze, I say go for it

 

[Roger A. Shrubber]

i use this fixture, but the 4 foot model, for my veg tent, it covers a 3 x 5 area pretty well
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INGMTPW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

these are the bulbs i use. not going to say they're top of the line, but they seem to do a good job of veg
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01731MNBW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

i know you said you're using a two foot fixture, this was just to give you an idea what they'll cover

 

[Dave Baker]

Those will do nicely. Any Cfls would certainly not hurt, better yields. Happy growing!

 

[whitebb2727]

Durolux from Amazon. I own three.
https://www.amazon.com/T5-Grow-Light-Fluorescent-Hydroponic/dp/B00INGMTPW

 

[Hippie hipper]

Durolux from Amazon. I own three.
https://www.amazon.com/T5-Grow-Light-Fluorescent-Hydroponic/dp/B00INGMTPW

Wait really? Looks cheaply made imo. I just know hydrofarm is a pretty solid brand. Can you post a pic of them?

 

[whitebb2727]

I have a 6 bulb 4 foot, 8 bulb 4 foot and 6 bulb 2 foot.

A friend is running them now. The 8 bulb has been running for 2 years and the 6 bulb close to the same and the 2 foot a year.

I had one ballast go bad and emailed the company and they sent one free of charge.

They look a little flimsy and can be bent easier than other brands but they work great. Good customer support. They come in good packaging and once hung will last forever. Easy to take apart.

 

[whitebb2727]

I cut the flaps in that one. I built some flaps at one time to make it draw air through the light. That is the 4 ft 8 bulb in the pic that I listed.

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

Most of the brands mentioned are all rebranded Chinese bulbs.

I have sunblaze and the ones from Hydrofarm. (Sunblaze is sun sustems). They work great but their life expectancy is “undetermined”. I replace them often.

And the markings and end cap color keep changing back and forth between brands.

The best quality t-5’s I have used are GE. All 4 of the bulbs I own are still working with no flicker at about 18 months. The cheap Chinese bulbs have mostly failed or looked dull or flickered in that time.

GE has a 6500k like I use and also a 4000k daylight bulb I would like to try.

 

[whitebb2727]

Most of the brands mentioned are all rebranded Chinese bulbs.

I have sunblaze and the ones from Hydrofarm. (Sunblaze is sun sustems). They work great but their life expectancy is “undetermined”. I replace them often.

And the markings and end cap color keep changing back and forth between brands.

The best quality t-5’s I have used are GE. All 4 of the bulbs I own are still working with no flicker at about 18 months. The cheap Chinese bulbs have mostly failed or looked dull or flickered in that time.

GE has a 6500k like I use and also a 4000k daylight bulb I would like to try.

I think he is wanting to know what brand light not bulb. Still good info.

The durolux I showed are great lights for the money.

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

I think he is wanting to know what brand light not bulb. Still good info.

The durolux I showed are great lights for the money.

You’re right. I misread.

In that case I really like my sunblaze lamps. Great prices at plantlighting hydroponics.

I have had one ballast failure. Sun systems sent a new lamp out right away with the help of the online store.

I own a 2’x4 bulb. 2’ x 8 bulb and a 2x2.

I use the 8 and the 2 to cover a 3’x3’ veg tent.

T-5 is definitely slower than hid but grows beautiful squat leafy and vigorously branching plants for me.

I will likely go to 315 cmh for veg next setup for the faster veg cycle.

 

[racerboy71]

you should talk to riddlem3.. not sure if he still posts much on here, but you should check out some of his grows and talk to him about what equipment he uses.. i'm pretty sure he uses high bays, but i forget what brand atm.. i have all of the info saved some where, i could probably look for it if you really needed more info, or you could check out one of his many threads on the lighting subject on this forum..

 

[Hippie hipper]

View attachment 4070951 View attachment 4070952
I have a 6 bulb 4 foot, 8 bulb 4 foot and 6 bulb 2 foot.

A friend is running them now. The 8 bulb has been running for 2 years and the 6 bulb close to the same and the 2 foot a year.

I had one ballast go bad and emailed the company and they sent one free of charge.

They look a little flimsy and can be bent easier than other brands but they work great. Good customer support. They come in good packaging and once hung will last forever. Easy to take apart.

Whoa first off...great full looking buds, not to mention for t5s! I really am impressed and I say that almost never lol is that still the standard bulbs that came with the fixture? I'm def am considering that brand. It's almost $100 cheaper than sunblaze. If you're being honest on the customer support I'm ordering the 8 bulb and 6 bulb(can buy 2 with my budget if I go durolux) right now lol awaiting a reply and hitting buy it now

 

[Hippie hipper]

you should talk to riddlem3.. not sure if he still posts much on here, but you should check out some of his grows and talk to him about what equipment he uses.. i'm pretty sure he uses high bays, but i forget what brand atm.. i have all of the info saved some where, i could probably look for it if you really needed more info, or you could check out one of his many threads on the lighting subject on this forum..

I'll try and do a search on him right now, pretty sold on this guys results though. Seems like a pretty solid brand, reflective seems a bit under everyone else, but not to the point of $ to reflective quality

 

[racerboy71]

I'll try and do a search on him right now, pretty sold on this guys results though. Seems like a pretty solid brand, reflective seems a bit under everyone else, but not to the point of $ to reflective quality

i'm looking for his thread right now as well, i'll brb if i can find any solid info for you..

 

[racerboy71]

i know i have it bookmarked, might take me a few minutes to dig through my pages.. brb..

 

[MichiganMedGrower]

you should talk to riddlem3.. not sure if he still posts much on here, but you should check out some of his grows and talk to him about what equipment he uses.. i'm pretty sure he uses high bays, but i forget what brand atm.. i have all of the info saved some where, i could probably look for it if you really needed more info, or you could check out one of his many threads on the lighting subject on this forum..

Lol. His high bays cost more than my sunblaze. I joined his site and read everything he suggested. It’s all just his opinion.

Best to ask elsewhere for info.

My friend tried his weed. Was not impressed. I tried one of the members CTF here. It was mild.

 

[racerboy71]

don't quote me on this, but i think these might be the one's riddle uses.. again, i'm not 100% sure, but i found it in my bookmarks, so it might be them, although he uses the 8 bulb 4 footers i do believe ..
https://www.electricalmarketplace.com/4-lamp-t5-ho-fluorescent-high-bay.html

 

[whitebb2727]

Whoa first off...great full looking buds, not to mention for t5s! I really am impressed and I say that almost never lol is that still the standard bulbs that came with the fixture? I'm def am considering that brand. It's almost $100 cheaper than sunblaze. If you're being honest on the customer support I'm ordering the 8 bulb and 6 bulb(can buy 2 with my budget if I go durolux) right now lol awaiting a reply and hitting buy it now

Thank you.
Yes. 100% honest on customer support. I emailed them and within 4-5 days I had the new ballast. They shipped it for free as well.

I used a mix of Agromax bulbs. 2-veg, 2-bloom, 2-pure par, 1-10,000k+uva and 1 generic 4200k.

T5 can grow some nice buds.

 

[racerboy71]

Lol. His high bays cost more than my sunblaze. I joined his site and read everything he suggested. It’s all just his opinion.

Best to ask elsewhere for info.

My friend tried his weed. Was not impressed. I tried one of the members CTF here. It was mild.

yeah yeah, i know you two butted heads.. i'm just pointing out what i've seen him use, nothing more, nothing less..