T8s vs. 400 Watt MH conversion...The Shocking Results.(w/pics)

For comparison reasons, I just took these pics of these clones that have been in soil for 11 days, vegging under this exact 6-bulb T8 light, http://cgi.ebay.com/T-BAY-6-LIGHT-T8-FLUORESCENT-FIXTURE_W0QQitemZ300388228440QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45f0889d58 with 5000K bulbs(natural sun spectrum). The first two pics are of the same three strains, also 11 days old. Notice the difference in growth, and how compact the plants are that are vegging under the T8s. The other plants were vegging under a 400 watt MH conversion bulb, set at 16-18"(average), and were stretching like crazy. I didn't realize how bad they were stretching until i made the switch, and was shocked by the results.

So, there's clear proof that T8s are an excellent choice for vegging, as long as you don't plan to veg some really tall plants. Anything under 20", is perfect for this setup.

Also, that T8 unit is only 200 watts, and clearly beat the 400 watt MH. Just imagine what two of them can do, at 400 watts. You can stick with T5's if you wish, but I'll be perfectly happy with the T8's, and not have to worry about burning the tops of the plants, while using less electricity for more coverage area. They also run alot cooler too, for those that have a concern with heat issues.

It is important to note that you can't use any old T8 light. This unit has just the right reflector and bulb spacing, along with 'high output' ballasts, which make all the difference. I tried the others, and they just can't provide this nicy bushy growth. Oh yeah...I had them under the MH for the first 2 days, which stretched them a little, or else they would look even nicer.

I don't know about you, but I'm convinced. I have 6,500K bulbs coming in a day or two,(and another T8 unit) and I can't wait to get those going.

i was thinking bout getting some t8's or t5's did it come with a ballest? whats the difference in the two?

Yeah, it comes with the ballast and the 5000K bulbs. It'll perform even better with 6500K bulbs, which I have coming soon. The T5s work great too, if you want to go that route. They're more expensive to purchase and operate, but will work even better if you can afford it, and have it setup correctly. The T8's are the best option, if budget is a concern, and you still want excellent growth.

you basically just doing the opposite of what more people do, the reason u start with t8's is because they are much less intense then the HID lighting so u can get it alot closer preventing the stretching. Then once the plant is off size it is switched over. Thats what i do with t4 CFL's then HPS. They grow to be huge considering im using about 1.5 26w ligthts per plant, 1 foot tall, fan leaf fingers that are easy 4-5 inches long, and bushy and compact as ever... MAybe u should cionsider doing a test run with a fresh batch, put some under then HID lights and then some with T8 lights, post pics of both

Very helpful. Better results and more bang for the buck. Did you keep the tops close the the t8?

i can believe this, been using 5500k cfl's for vegging
they are excellent, couldn't imagine vegging with anything else now

I just had a close friend with some shop fluorescents and some with a 400w MH. I couldn't believe how much better the fluorescent plants looked. He wasted $250 on a MH when 50 bucks of shop lights would've been better. I love the peeps at the grow shop, now that we point it out they are pushing the t5 setups instead of the MH

Bigol'Bong said:

you basically just doing the opposite of what more people do, the reason u start with t8's is because they are much less intense then the HID lighting so u can get it alot closer preventing the stretching. Then once the plant is off size it is switched over. Thats what i do with t4 CFL's then HPS. They grow to be huge considering im using about 1.5 26w ligthts per plant, 1 foot tall, fan leaf fingers that are easy 4-5 inches long, and bushy and compact as ever... MAybe u should cionsider doing a test run with a fresh batch, put some under then HID lights and then some with T8 lights, post pics of both

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That was my test run. The first two were under 400 watt MH conversion, and the second two pics are the next batch, under the T8s. I'm not going to use the fluoros for bloom, I've been using 3 400 watt HPS and one 600 watt HPS for that. Basically, the T8's give me that short bushy growth I've been searching for, with running a shitload of wattage. They do exactly what I've been looking for, and the 400 watt MH is now retired.LOL (actually, i put the HPS bulb back in and added it to the bloom room)

i have a duel ballest that can run 800w and can be split up in Hps(400w) and/ or MH(400w) i'll be using for flower...i don't think they even make them anymore..i'm looking for something cheeper to run for veg for a aero set up...T8's should do good..can you get them cheaper than 100 bucks? for that price you could prolly get a 150w hid light.

Nice comparison. Also worth mentioning T12s can put out around the same Lumens, and a duel fixture at lowes can be had for 9.99 with the bulbs also being extremely cheap. Only thing is your looking at about 40watts per bulb rather then 32watts of a T8. So though not as efficient they do work very well for veg and can be a cheap upgrade from whatever one currently has.

AquafinaOrbit said:

Nice comparison. Also worth mentioning T12s can put out around the same Lumens, and a duel fixture at lowes can be had for 9.99 with the bulbs also being extremely cheap. Only thing is your looking at about 40watts per bulb rather then 32watts of a T8. So though not as efficient they do work very well for veg and can be a cheap upgrade from whatever one currently has.

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Well, I hate to argue, but those regular T12 shoplights don't compare to that T8 unit. The ballasts a cheap, and the reflectors are poorly designed. They simply don't provide the quality of growth I'm looking for(I tried numerous types), or people would still be using them, frequently. I have T5s (2-bulb units)side by side with this T8 light, and the T8 is winning. Not by a huge margin, but it's winning. LOL, I sound like a freakin T8 salesman. Seriously though, this particular 6-bulb light is the shit. Totally satisfied.

BiG PuFFer said:

i have a duel ballest that can run 800w and can be split up in Hps(400w) and/ or MH(400w) i'll be using for flower...i don't think they even make them anymore..i'm looking for something cheeper to run for veg for a aero set up...T8's should do good..can you get them cheaper than 100 bucks? for that price you could prolly get a 150w hid light.

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What you're not reading, is that this light is outperforming a 400 watt MH. A 150 watt HID doesn't have a prayer. $100 is a bargain.

That's the cheapest I've found them, and considering that it would cost twice as much to replace them with T5's, is a really good deal.

smokinguns said:

Very helpful. Better results and more bang for the buck. Did you keep the tops close the the t8?

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I run the tops as close as possible, and sometimes they are touching the tops for hours,(not on purpose.lol) without any damage. Try that with a T5 or a CFL, and they're cooked.LOL

jawbrodt said:

What you're not reading, is that this light is outperforming a 400 watt MH. A 150 watt HID doesn't have a prayer. $100 is a bargain.

That's the cheapest I've found them, and considering that it would cost twice as much to replace them with T5's, is a really good deal.

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your right... im sold

BiG PuFFer said:

your right... im sold

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Excellent choice. You won't be disappointed, for sure.

Excellent post and so very true, Less is more when the proper spectrum is being used to its full potential

here is a link to the bulbs you should be looking at
http://www.budgetlighting.com/lumichrome_full_spectrum_lamps.html

pic is spectrum of the sun compared to the 6500K lumichrome

Ooooh, those are sweet. *drools* Problem is, i don't have $200 to spend on bulbs at the moment. I have some regular 6,500K bulbs on their way right now, and two more of those T8 units on their way. It'll be a sweet setup, covering a nice-sized area. Maybe when I get some extra cash, I'll buy some of those bulbs. That link is definitely going in my 'favorites' list. Thanks.

jawbrodt said:

Ooooh, those are sweet. *drools* Problem is, i don't have $200 to spend on bulbs at the moment. I have some regular 6,500K bulbs on their way right now, and two more of those T8 units on their way. It'll be a sweet setup, covering a nice-sized area. Maybe when I get some extra cash, I'll buy some of those bulbs. That link is definitely going in my 'favorites' list. Thanks.

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I use that link because of the info there, I first found them being used for human wellness, here http://www.truesun.com/proddetail.php?prod=Lumichrome_1XX_full_spectrum_light, very pricey

but if you google the lumichrome model info there are places that sell them for like $12 a bulb without having to buy a case

The technology of the bulbs was invented here in Boulder CO (I did the research into em) they are the closest Flouros to the sun

and I feel your drool my friend, my first thought for them was for side lighting

Yeah, but i would need 18 of them to fill the three 6-bulb units I'll have running by the end of the week. *still drooling* I'll figure out a way, somehow.

so the one off ebay doesnt come with the best bulbs to use for vegging?