Lighting T5/CFL only thread (the manual)

[roadsidevendor1]

RSV, love the set up. What strains are those?

the party cups are Thaipan x Perkhruder
white buckets are Mossys Jem
black pots are Short Stuff mixed (f2)

 

[Tribal600]

Whats up Autowidow? im using the Tek 36 - 36" (6) bulb, i need to replace the bulbs as it was used as an aquarium light whats the best spectrum for autos for a complete grow?

 

[ripster]

TBM, I tried that kind of spectrum in my last grow and personally, I didn't like the grow. Just seemed that the 6500k spectrum works better with T5/CFL's. I don't know why, but the plants just appear to like it better. Maybe it's because of the distance of the light, compared to HID. But w/CFL's, it seems the light intensity isn't so strong and the heat isn't there so that could have something to do w/it. IDK...

 

[Tribal600]

Thanks TMB and Ripster, any clue on a site to get 39 watt t5ho 6500k for a decent price? i need 6 without breaking the bank

 

[Joe Dirt]

Hey Rip! I've been a little busy so I haven't been by for a little while. Great Sub-Forum! It really fills a need... props to all who are contributing! It's getting harder and harder to find anyone who is not using cfl's or t-5's in at least some capacity. I wouldn't start seedlings under anything else! :thumbs:

 

[Tribal600]

I usually always buy T5 bulbs locally, but have purchased some a few times online from Amazon - don't know if it's the cheapest, but at the time it seemed like a good deal.

Thanks TMB...i will check it out and post some pics once i get everything in place

 

[roadsidevendor1]

question i'm running 400 watts of cfl to finish these plants
1 is a 200w 6500k and
the other is a 200w 2700k
my light timers are still set for 20on /4off
will this light schedule be best for flowering under cfl?

 

[snickers2771]

hey im a first time grower and im wondering which lights are better. the T5s or the CFLs

 

[ripster]

hey I'm a first time grower and I'm wondering which lights are better. the T5s or the CFLs

Hey snickers, welcome.

I prefer the T5's myself. I'd recommend supplementing with the CFL's. But not necessary...

 

[gsbm2312]

hey im a first time grower and im wondering which lights are better. the T5s or the CFLs

Hey snickers, welcome.

I prefer the T5's myself and even though I don't use them, I'd recommend supplementing with the CFL's. But not necessary...

T5's, atleast a comparisom between Philips T5 and philips twister (even the new brand "High Lumen")

Check it out:
for "blue" spectre (6500k) we have
Philips Twister High Lumen: 65W, 4000lm, 66lm/W and a lifetime of 8000 hours.
Philips HO TL5 /865 : 54W, 4250lm, 89lm/W and a life time of 24000 hours.

for the "red" spectre (2700k and 3000k) we have
Philips Twister: 42W, 2800lm, 66lm/W and a life time of 8000 hours.
Philips HO TL5 /830: 54W, 4450lm, 93 lm/W and a life time of 24000 hours.


Way more lumen per watt, way more lumen output and way longer lasting. Atleast the numbers suggest so...

No surprise that our brother Ripster prefers them! I'm building my growbox only with T5s!