T5 + HPS in veg

K

Kronic-toker420

Member
Hey everyone i know using HPS in veg causes a bit of stretch compared to using a MH but i was wondering,
If i was to veg using a HPS but added a t5 as well (t5 would be a lot closer than HPS)
Would this help with the stretch at all?
My main reasoning is the temperature is a little low and it will be cheaper to plug in the HPS rather than continuing to use an electric heater to warm up the room the tents in.
Unfortunately I dont have a mh bulb so thats not an option right now
 
MeJuana

MeJuana

Well-Known Member
Yeah I see the logic in using the HPS if it solves your heat problems but not if you will be turning it off on irregularly depending how cold it is on certain days. If you can turn it on always at the same time each day then I'd say definitely use the HPS vs the heater. I want to caution you that HPS is intense so for the first week of exposure it needs to be farther back. As a rule I use 3 feet back for a 1K / 600w de but I dunno about 400w or 250w.

Stretch depends on strain you might could just use the HPS for some strains depending what you are after. Sometimes you want to promote "stretch" hormones, like when you are bending the plant over and you want a ton of side growth to burst out. Play this all by ear depending on how the plant responds.
 
K

Kronic-toker420

Member
Hey thanks for the reply!
So do you think i would be best using the hps for say 4-6 hrs each morning (id use a timer so it would be the same time each day)
Or even running it for the same time as the t5 so the plants had it constantly rather than more light for a few hours then back to less intense light.

I really hope that made sense haha,
Probably shouldnt have smoked a bowl before starting this thread haha.

I do plan on topping and training so maybe a little stretch would be a positive thing to happen
 
MeJuana

MeJuana

Well-Known Member
The basic rule is 3500BTU of heat output for every 1000w HPS. So 1 watt = 3.5 btu, just multiply that by your HPS size to find a fairly accurate gauge. Compare that to how much heat you are currently using and balance the light to run when it will safely not exceed the required heating btus

Stretch is definitely annoying so if the strain responds in this manner you would manhandle it into submission by crushing and pinch/twisting the stem to damage it so the rest of the plant can catch up while the stem heals. This is called super cropping generally we don't use this to deal with stretch from the light as a practice only as a response. I too am high so I hope you understand. I think most strains will do terrific with a T5 + HPS, but some others may desperately call for the mh.
 
K

Kronic-toker420

Member
Yeah i completely understand where youre coming from,
I think ill sit down and crunch some numbers and give it a go.
I mean worst case ill go back to just the t5 for now :)
Thanks for all the help
 
K

Kronic-toker420

Member
Cheers ill post an update in a few days on how they seem to be taking it, i might need your help again but fingers crossed we will be good haha
 
VTMi'kmaq

VTMi'kmaq

Well-Known Member
MeJuana said:
Yeah I see the logic in using the HPS if it solves your heat problems but not if you will be turning it off on irregularly depending how cold it is on certain days. If you can turn it on always at the same time each day then I'd say definitely use the HPS vs the heater. I want to caution you that HPS is intense so for the first week of exposure it needs to be farther back. As a rule I use 3 feet back for a 1K / 600w de but I dunno about 400w or 250w.

Stretch depends on strain you might could just use the HPS for some strains depending what you are after. Sometimes you want to promote "stretch" hormones, like when you are bending the plant over and you want a ton of side growth to burst out. Play this all by ear depending on how the plant responds.
Click to expand...
Your def got sound advice but id like to add to this as well, being an 600 hps eye hortilux slut as i am i can admit to having a few experiments with the lighting. If your using an hps in a kooltube you can get the light VERYCLOSE. Secondly I would rec t-5's in all phases of growth, its all about the k each t-5 is burning at. I would say a 5000k 0r 6000k blue would be ideal. I used a 400 mh 7200k open wing bulb this last round and the node stacking under that light is insane.
 
K

Kronic-toker420

Member
So i hooked up the 400w hps today and the temps are sitting a lot better now. Around 25 Celsius and 50-55% rh.

Ive done the hand test with the hps and im happy with the temp at plant height but after 4 or so hours the leaves are slightly canoeing up.
Since it shouldnt be a heat problem could it just be them getting used to the extra strength in lighting?
I have an oscillating fan blowing on and above the plants, could this be causing the issue?
Or could they possibly just need a bit of a drink?

Its not too bad at the moment but im still a little paranoid as i dont want to fry them!

I'll post photos in the morning when the light turns off rather than with the hps going
 
MeJuana

MeJuana

Well-Known Member
Heat too high or humidity too low. Or it's a combination of a little too much heat, a little to low of humidity a little too much fan
 
K

Kronic-toker420

Member
I think the fan and humidity were the issues.
I turned the fan down and also put a container of water in for humidity and the leaves seem to have settled down.
Im also thinking they might need a bit of a water to help.
I'll have photos up in a few hours :)
 
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