New Grower What To Expect From T-5 Lighting System

[fandango]

Greetings All, I just had success getting my 1st 6 seedlings up and doing well by germing them in water for 2 days and then sprounting them in a windowbox set up in 4" peet cups. They are at the single tier stage at a couple of inches and I'm transplanting them to 3 gal. pots using OF 2.1 with Black Gold soils.
Here's my question, I'm losing my window box light as the sun moves north and I'm dowm to 5-6 hrs daily if I move them around a bit. I have the perfect natural sunlight conditions 12+ hr full sun daily once my seedlings mature a bit, How big should they be 4-5" ? I can modify with a lattice to get them by initally.
My 2nd question is I was thinking of getting a Hydrofarm 2'x2' 4 tube T5 unit that would get my seedlings to the point of transitioning to the outdoors. I have no light
growing experience, would this give me enough light to get me through the 1st 2-3 weeks and eliminate the potential of stressing the seedlings using my present system? If I can obtain a healthier seedling with less hassle and more consistent light I want to spend the money. My intention is to grow another 12 plants. Any feedback is appreciated. This site is a wonderful thing. So Long

 

[agito]

Im having trouble reading this but the hydro farm 96w 4 tube should be ok veg and seedling and growth if you wanted to flower i would use the 8 tube

 

[AutoMan]

I use a 96w 2ft 4 tube T5...24/0 on all my seedlings for 3-4 weeks....works great...but you'll need a 'next step' to finish well...

 

[EARTH]

question that is kind of along the same topic *sort of*... say in theory if i was going to setup t5's in the future, like an 8 lamp setup with 2 .. 448at ballasts and 8 48'' t5s, would they be daylight/cool light, etc? and can i veg and flower under nothing but t5's? .. also, would t8's work? i know that t5 technology doesnt draw as much power or heat but the t8's are alot brighter...

 

[agito]

t8's are not normally brighter the t5 HO 6500k is the one to go for but you could add a few warm in there to mix it up.

you could flower but you need over 50-75wpsf so you will need 200-300w+ (8 tubes of HO t5's) in a 2x2 space a 250w hps may be cheaper

 

[EARTH]

thank you very kindly for the answer i was looking for..

 

[fandango]

Thanks, just to clarify the only purpose of using the T5 2' 4-tube is to get the plants ready for the outdoors where they will be for the duration of the grow . I'm guessing the time under the lights to be 2-3 weeks until they get tough enough to transition to partial then full sunlight. I live in Central Oregon at 3500' east of the Cascades so our heat can get intense Aug.- Sept. I know in the end experimentation will be my answer but I just wanted opinions on wether the system will support 12 plants thru the first few weeks. I appreciate the help and feedback. Adios

 

[fandango]

Thanks AutoMan, I think I just made my decision to go forward with this lighting system, I was just trying to keep it simple but already have come to the understanding that the 1st few weeks determine the success of the balance of the grow. Thanks Again

 

[AutoMan]

Lil more info...my lamps are 6500k...just replaced the original 5000k the unit came with. I have the unit in an indoor armoire ...it hangs bout 6-8 inches above my plants...I keep a small fan stirring air at all times and to control the small amount of heat from the T5....I start most of my reg seedlings in 16oz solo cups...fems in 2 ltr pots...I've used the T5HO system for over 2 years now...been working great....