Lighting T5/CFL only thread (the manual)

[painter]

Hi, i have a question about the temperature from the t5 compact, are they hotter than than T8?
In the moment i grow under 4X T8 36w (automazar, )in an 120cm x 60cm box
and 360w CFL (ortega indica, no auto) in a 100 cm x 70 cm box, the CFL a lot hotter than the T8,
i like to change the lights for my next grow (afghan kush ryder) to 6 x 55w T5 compact in the small box,
i hope it will have a lower temperature than the CFL.
Does somebody knows it?
Thanks!

 

[painter]

ok, i just read that a CFL is an rolled T5........

 

[AndyBotwin]

painter, T5s are definitely much cooler than the equivalent wattage of CFLs. A compact T5 fixture will have one ballast inside the top, while every CFL bulb has its own ballast. So the CFLs definitely run hotter, especially right in the area next to the bulbs. The T5s will run hotter than the T8, but not by a huge amount. I think it's around 10% more heat.

 

[painter]

Thank you Andy, it's right, i forget the ballast what i can install outside. It seems that the T5 makes a very good job for growing autos.
Next time i change my setup completly to T5.

 

[Greenlantern226]

this is my 1st auto grow. should i give nutes to mi5 during veg

 

[AndyBotwin]

this is my 1st auto grow. should i give nutes to mi5 during veg

Most people squeeze in some veg nutes with autos, but there's not much time before they start flowering. It really depends on the growing medium and how much nutrients they get from that. Can you give some info on your growing setup?

 

[SmashedbyHashish]

auto flowers dont truly start to flowering until the vertical growth stops...i give veg nutes until then, about week 6-7...then i flush and start flower nutes.

 

[Jackal]

I gave all my Mi5 veg nutes thru week 5 then switched over to flower. Whenever the vertical growth stops is the time to switch.

 

[Greenlantern226]

2ft 4 bulb t5
50 % light warrior 50 % ocean forest
3 gallon grow bags
2 plants
iguana juice grow & bloom

 

[AndyBotwin]

2ft 4 bulb t5
50 % light warrior 50 % ocean forest
3 gallon grow bags
2 plants
iguana juice grow & bloom

I grew in the same soil mix as you last time, and I started veg nutes at around 2.5 weeks with no problems at all. I think straight OF is hot enough to make it 3+ weeks, but since you cut it with the LW you shouldn't burn the plants by feeding a little earlier. Keep in mind that autos tend to be more sensitive to nutes, so most people start with 1/4 to 1/2 or the recommended dosage and work up from there.