Veg Light

ChainSmoking

ChainSmoking

Well-Known Member
I'm looking into different lighting for Veg stage. Currently I have a 4x8 tent running 2 600HPS. What im wondering is what light setup to run for Veg. 400w MH gives the most penetration, So would I be best off, just buying a new ballast and bulb and cutting my tent in half? (for those of you who think I was literal please take another hit), Switching to LED's or just getting a T5 setup?

I've been wrapping my head around this for too long now and it's killing me, I am debating about just turning my closet into a veg room.

Is there any way of asking if I just run my HPS this first run all the way through how bad it will affect my plants?

I've read, and read information, I understand its personal preference, but I cant take anymore of those answers (Do whatever you think is best style things) I am ready to kick of my grow starting Sat. Just trying to figure this last bit out. Thanks.


I will be running 10 plants from clones, and I hope to setup a madre from one or two.....Seeings as I'll be managing 5 different strains
 
Desr

Desr

Well-Known Member
well vegging with hps might stretch it a bit..i veg with cfls..id suggest the same thing but with 10 plants thats a bit much.. you could go with t5's or mh..since i just got a mh thats what ill be using.. if you have the money id just buy mh.
 
Kratose

Kratose

Well-Known Member
As desr said vegging with HPS will make your plants stretch. I find T5's do just fine for vegging. I actually prefer using them over MH. You can put your T5's really close to your plants and it doesn't cause a lot of heat like the MH does. I also find that it stretches less when using T5's or any floro's.


Feel free to check my blog out. Its all about Cannabis. And soon I will be adding some growing 101 posts. Also if you leave a comment under one of my posts I will give you some rep here. Just make sure to send me a message if you do so I know who to rep
 
Voidling

Voidling

Well-Known Member
If money is an issue and/or just to get going use the hps.

How big do you plan to veg them? Led and t5 don't penetrate all that far for a big veg.
 
matthebrute

matthebrute

Well-Known Member
i would veg with flouros, cheaper on electricity and cooler. a few CFl or a t5 setup would be fine for vegging. best of luck man
 
roidrage152

roidrage152

Active Member
MH I think maximizes grow speed because it's got the most light penetration. T5 is more energy efficient, I know different ppl swear by either. Both will work great. In regards to stretch I think the MH can cause it too, I've heard theories of denser plants from t5. I've also heard of ppl loving vegging under hps. (which I've never tried). I personally clone under t5 and veg under MH. Ppl don't usually care about rushing the veg because flower usually takes so much longer and an extra HID makes a noticeable impact on the electric bills, so a t5 is more economical. I personally use 7-8 week strains and veg for about 6 weeks under MH. T5 couldn't get my plants to size fast enough I don't think.
 
matthebrute

matthebrute

Well-Known Member
i dont think its the light that causes stretch as much as the user putting the light too far away. no pro on lights here but i would imagine both would work just fine if you put them the proper distance from your plants.
 
ChainSmoking

ChainSmoking

Well-Known Member
I will be vegging to about a meter or just under, Currently in the process of getting some $ back from a bulb I am returning, and I was looking into a 4x8 T5 setup at my local grow shop they recommended, but wanted your guys take on things.

Honestly if I wasnt so broke right now from buying my setup id take a hit for everyone of you that helped me!

So bad news, clones are coming in on SAT. Im going to have to veg with my HPS for a few days until I get paid, anyone suguest a distance for me? Thinking 75% bulb strength at about a foot away until I get some T5's this next week.
 
matthebrute

matthebrute

Well-Known Member
T8's are not better, in fact they output less lumens. BUT they do work well and are more cost friendly than T5 setup.

i found this and its pretty informative but i cant take credit for it.


Basically, the number after the T is the numerator for the fraction based on T8's being one inch. A T12 is 12/8" or 1.5 inch diameter and T5 is 5/8".
In spite of what dmxcrew says, one isn't 'better' than another. There are different lamps for different purposes, sizes, wattages, etc.
The light efficiency goes up with the thinner bulbs, more lumens per watt, but there's more to it than that. There are HO (high output) and VHO (very high output) T8 and HO T5 lamps. Those higher wattage lamps need special ballasts, run hotter and less energy efficient but the increased wattage gives more overall lumen output. So it's not a simple matter of just comparing size.

Since extreme light intensity isn't going to be a requirement for clones or keeping mothers, T8, T8HO and even T12 can be used. If you can get a nice T8HO setup for vegging (I found a 4 bulb Silverstar on eBay for under $90 shipped), you can use an inexpensive NO T8 from Lowes ($40) for your clones.

Also look for fixtures using biax lamps. Those are compact fluorescent but not the ones you are thinking about. These are 24" 55-65w dual tubes (like a 4ft T5 bent in half), vary narrow (36" lengths are 96w each for 192w total in fixture a foot shorter than shoplights). So you can fit 2 side by side for 110w in a good reflector with a 24"x6" footprint. Great for clones. Here's an example of a dual
Click to expand...
 
ChainSmoking

ChainSmoking

Well-Known Member
Going to get a set of 8 bulb T5's today, thanks for your help, hopefully this first grow wont be a complete disaster!
 
Kratose

Kratose

Well-Known Member
ChainSmoking said:
Going to get a set of 8 bulb T5's today, thanks for your help, hopefully this first grow wont be a complete disaster!
Click to expand...
I am sure it wont be. I bet you do better then you expect. Mistakes will probably be made, but as long as you learn from them mistakes are a good thing, Also keep us updated on whats going on
in the thread. There are plenty of people here who would love to help when you have a question. Goodluck
 
fenderburn84

fenderburn84

Well-Known Member
That is for sure. Here's some cold hard facts, you will make mistakes everyone does lord knows I did lol. But its all about growing a weed and as we all know weeds are resilient little bastards. The best advice I have ever gotten was don't over love your plants at the end of the day if you give em water and some food and light they will grow. Just remember like the previous poster said when those problems do arise there are a lot of us who honestly want to help. Just throw up a thread. I wish you the best on it, good pick and happy growing.
 
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