T5HO vs T8 vs PL Compact Fluorescent

For seedlings and for rooting clones, I've always used a regular T8 aquarium ballast as a light source. It's ready to be replaced and I'm considering which kind of fluorescent will work best as a replacement. Being familiar with the T8's already and knowing that they were sufficient for my needs, I'm inclined to buy another similar setup. I'm not sure if the extra cost of a T5 unit would be necessary. Would it really make much of a difference seeing as I'm only using the setup for seedlings or clones? Also, has anyone used the PL Compact Fluorescent bulbs for growing? The ballast I'm considering has two 55W PL-L CF bulbs, and was very bright. The price was similar to most of the T8 ballasts I was looking at and was considerably brighter. Unfortunately the choice of bulbs (CRI) was limited. Any suggestions?

The t5's are smaller hence you can put more in less space...higher output of PAR light than the T8's and more cost effective. If I was buying I'd get the T5's I have quite a few and love the light output I run 14 lamp's in a two foot by four foot enclosure under my work table you read the lux...Not HO just 14 watter's from home depot complete with light bulbs 2700k 13.50..on weekly sale's I spent 7.10 ea. unit 2 lamp's But..There is alot to be said for using what you know and we all have our like's and dislike's..wishing you the best with your decision! jack..

hakankaptan said:

55w pl-l that is the phillips ballast that im using for two bulbs of t5ho.ı know one thing for sure is the ballast for t8 will not run the t5ho,opposite the same.İf ı were you ı would not spend more money to change the system from t8 to t5 just because of colones and seedlings,,ı would chance it if ı was using it all the way to harvest..Ofcourse you know the best mate...

Click to expand...

not true of course

you want some detailed info on how to overdrive those t8 ballast to run t5 i can help.
thought i would throw my info out there for ya, t5 and 58 are better as far as coverage goes, using CFs is kinda just a bigger CFL and can be hard to place while running more wattage.

t5 is super efficient while hitting most of the spectrum (if you choose the correct bulbs) can be hard to get into the red spectrum, this is where overdriving t8 to 68w can be very useful(i say 68w but its more like 64w or less DC elec works different from AC)

another thing to not overdriving can only be done with electronic ballasts.

Thc&me: unless I'm mistaken, T-5's are a little more efficient than your T-8's and they burn cool enough to keep them really close without frying your plants. Just make sure you buy a fixture that will completely cover your grow. They don't spread light like MH.
As far as your red color is concerned your 2,700K tubes have done the job for me. I hope this helps. HSA

I use T5's and very pleased with them, low heat so you can keep them close. 6500K for veg and 3000K for bloom.

Thank's for all your input. I'm now considering running a full T5 setup and replacing my HID. I'm worried about the loss of lumen and intensity, but the decreased heat and more useful color rendering of the T5HO is most welcome. I'm also looking forward to lowering my energy consumption. How much yield should I expect to lose if I replace 2 X 400W HID with 434W of T5.

alot, but there is no way of really telling since the 2 light require a different style of growing, i would supplement with t5 rather than straight up replace HIDmaybe swap just one HID for 200w of t5