Should i replace my T-12 with T-5 floros?

G

greengrasshightides

Active Member
is it worth the money to upgrade my
T-12 4' floros with T-5's.. i have only 2 floro tubes and im debating on adding some 42watt 6500 cfls. its only for veg before they go outside.
 
DubRules

DubRules

Well-Known Member
it depends on your growing style. i prefer T12/T8 to T5 because of the heat factor. T5 lights throw off a good bit of heat (for a fluorescent light) so you have to keep the plants at least 4-6 inches away. with T12/T8 lights you can purposely slam them into the bulbs with no issues what so ever. this means that absolutely no light is lost.

i am currently using a 4' 6 bulb T5 light as my main light and have one 4' 2 bulb T8 light in each corner as supplementary lighting. i also have another cabinet with one 4' 2 bulb T12 light that i am growing some autoflowers under.

in your case, i would simply buy a few cfl lights to supplement what you already have. if you were going to growing under them for a long time, i would possibly upgrade.
 
GoldenGanja13

GoldenGanja13

Well-Known Member
The t-5 does put out a lil heat, not as much as those mhs lol.
The wattage and amount of light each puts out is different.
T5 standard is 28W and a 2900 lumen output.
T5 HO is 54W and a 5000 lumen output.
T8 is 32W and a 2950 lumen output.
T12 wattmiser is 34W and a range of 2250-2900 lumen output.
 
KaliKitsune

KaliKitsune

Well-Known Member
Yes, move to T5HO lamps if possible.

Just one four foot T5HO will blow away four 40 watt T12s.

Buy separate single tube lights and spread them out, and you'll have an excellent light canopy.
 
KaliKitsune

KaliKitsune

Well-Known Member
GoldenGanja13 said:
You can buy 4 footers 4 bulb for 150.$ I bought 4 footer 8 bulb for $250
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I'm actually kicking myself for buying the 4-tube arrays instead of singular lights. The ability to spread them apart and create a more custom light canopy as separate single lamps makes them far more worthwhile.

Next time I get the $$$ I'm building a vertical T5HO grow box, using single-tube lamps. 8 lamps to cover 9 square feet, I'll get loads of light to each plant in the config I have, and VOILA! HUGE plants with DWC.
 
G

greengrasshightides

Active Member
KaliKitsune said:
I'm actually kicking myself for buying the 4-tube arrays instead of singular lights. The ability to spread them apart and create a more custom light canopy as separate single lamps makes them far more worthwhile.

Next time I get the $$$ I'm building a vertical T5HO grow box, using single-tube lamps. 8 lamps to cover 9 square feet, I'll get loads of light to each plant in the config I have, and VOILA! HUGE plants with DWC.
Click to expand...
i think im going to get the T 5 bulbs.. with two T-5 bulbs be more then enough to veg 60 plants till there big enough to go outside or should i add a few 6500 CFL's
 
G

greengrasshightides

Active Member
greengrasshightides said:
i think im going to get the T 5 bulbs.. with two T-5 bulbs be more then enough to veg 60 plants till there big enough to go outside or should i add a few 6500 CFL's.. plants will be growning for 4-6 weeks inside

also wondering if your guys had any easy way with adding nutrients.. they are in MG potting soil in 16oz cups and some in organic soil. the ones in the organic soil are way bigger but i dont know to much about nutrients that are easy to get from local stores. any help at all with my closet grow would be great. temps at 79.
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Top 44

Top 44

Well-Known Member
I think T8 tubes fill fit in T12 fixtures, won't they? You could replace the T12's with T8's and gain a little efficiency. How many plants have you got going?
 
KaliKitsune

KaliKitsune

Well-Known Member
Two T5HO bulbs will not be enough for vegging 30 plants until they're big enough to go outside for flowering. Maybe ten would be more ideal, and only if those are spread out about 6-8 inches apart from each other (most arrays have T5HO about 2 inches apart.)
 
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