Fluorescent lighting

So, would switching from four 48" T12 tubes to four 48" T8 tubes really make that much of a difference in the end result (i.e. potency, cost, yield, etc)? I have read many differing opinions, and am trying to figure out whether I should change the my t12's to t8's?

T8s are better
look what i found http://www.ehow.com/about_5426758_fluorescent-t8-vs_-t12-bulbs.html

For the same price... get the T8s.

Won't that just decrease the lumens that the plants receive? I don't want to ad more bezzles. Or does the reduction in surface area make more usable light cancelling out the loss in lumens?

why not t5?

t5 or t12 are ok for vegging plants for long periods like mother's or clones but when it come's to flowering you will still get bud but no where in the ammounts that a hid or hps will give you.But with these two lights come a few problems there easy to overcome but it will cost money both lights will produce more heat so a good exaust fan is a defo.If i had to choose one light to use forever up to the now it would be a 600 hps even over a 1000 they are just more cost effective and give the same results because a 600 allows you to have the light inces of the tops of the plants...................................tyke..................................................................................................

tyke1973 said:

t5 or t12 are ok for vegging plants for long periods like mother's or clones but when it come's to flowering you will still get bud but no where in the ammounts that a hid or hps will give you.But with these two lights come a few problems there easy to overcome but it will cost money both lights will produce more heat so a good exaust fan is a defo.If i had to choose one light to use forever up to the now it would be a 600 hps even over a 1000 they are just more cost effective and give the same results because a 600 allows you to have the light inces of the tops of the plants...................................tyke..................................................................................................

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Thanks for the info, Tyke. With Fluorescent, what would the buds be like? Would they be less potent; more potent but less size and density; something else not mentioned? I am trying to stay away from HPS because of the heat and electric bill, however I was thinking about getting an 150 HPS if I absolutely have to. The choice lays upon whether or not the HPS will give that much better quality for the extra cost (electricity/venting) plus the initial price (about $75 on ebay)? If I can get 3 eighths to a quarter, of potent bud, off of each plant, that is what i am going for. I am going to be flowering 6 plants at a time, in a 4x2 room painted flat white.

With the information I have given, does anyone have any recommendations on how I can achieve this best? (Don't want to get anything over a 150w HPS, unless absolutely necessary)