2ft T5 4 bulb or 400w hps for veg???

So I just bought a 2ft T5 4 bulb HO and was wondering how many plants I could veg under there and for how long?

I'm getting a 5x5 grow tent with a 1000w dimmable hps that I could dim to 400w to veg if needed. But, I was really looking to have a veg room and flower room but I'm afraid they will stretch in the veg room after a certain point. I could veg for month under the t5 and then switch them under the hps to finish veg then switch to flower BUT I wanted to be able to run somewhat perpetual eventually and I wanted to start with 6-9 plants. So what do you think I should do here need advice from the pros

Note: limited to a 3ft x 23 in closet for veg so I couldn't get a 4 footer

I use a 2' T5 4-bulb for veg and love it. You can park it right on top of the plants and get wicked tight node spacing if needed. I will continue to use it for the lack of heat is produces as well.

Peace and Great Grows

Asmallvoice

If I was u I would keep the t5 for clones, the dimmable for flower, then buy another 5x5 tent and a 600 watt mh for Veg.

Eh just read you have size restrictions. In that case perpetual might be hard... I would really consider just setting up an additional tent thou...

2 ft T5's are great for germing and early veg, but mid to late veg I'd go for the 400w Mh/hps, then come bud time just flick the switch to make that 400w hps, thats digital for you ,...lol

What sort of wattage bulbs are you guys using on your T5 fittings? I've been looking at something like that myself, perhaps this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251287077261 (4x 55w = 220w) The other option is http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Grow-Light-T5-series-Porpagation-Light-Hydroponics-and-General-use-/251333590174 (4x 24w = 96w). The fittings look near enough the same (slightly different size), I'd guess it would just be different bulbs supplied (and thus interchangeable?)

I also use a T-5, 2 ' 4 bulb light for making clones and vegging. I am very happy with this set up. Uses very little electricity and very little heat.

cannaculturalist said:

What sort of wattage bulbs are you guys using on your T5 fittings? I've been looking at something like that myself, perhaps this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251287077261 (4x 55w = 220w) The other option is http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Grow-Light-T5-series-Porpagation-Light-Hydroponics-and-General-use-/251333590174 (4x 24w = 96w). The fittings look near enough the same (slightly different size), I'd guess it would just be different bulbs supplied (and thus interchangeable?)

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The tube fro these is really old school. seek out the LED equivalents, way less power, maybe 22 watts I forget,

but way less heat, as if that was an issue, had mine for over a year, then remembered to remove the flux cover ...lol

for even for lux

good luck

I use a 4 ft 8 bulb all the way through. The bulbs are double stacked. the fixture is 12 inches wide.

I got fresh sprouted seedlings under it.

They harden off to the sun so they can harden off to a light.

The 4ft 8 bulb will flower a 3 ft plant easy.

I had used a 2 foot 4 bulb t5 for years for vegging, it worked amazing, the ballast blew this year

Yodaweed said:

I had used a 2 foot 4 bulb t5 for years for vegging, it worked amazing, the ballast blew this year

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Ballast are cheap. They make led bulbs that require the ballast removed and straight wired. That would make a good veg light.

I use the cheap $100 durolux off amazon. They make a 12 and 16 bulb 4ft models to.

I have two of them a 6 and 8 bulb. A buddy has the 6 bulb. Both have been running for a couple years non stop.

whitebb2727 said:

Ballast are cheap. They make led bulbs that require the ballast removed and straight wired. That would make a good veg light.

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yea I disassembled and priced the ballast for 30$, just haven't gotten around to it been using a 600w metal halide instead.

Hey ty,
If your ballast goes to exactly 400 I would get a 400mh bulb instead of turning down a 1000. it would be better. if It says 50% then no.

X4 2ft ho t5 will sustain that plant amount for 2- 4 weeks

You could beg under 400 for like another 3 weeks.

If your looking for perpetual consider getting a 400mh stand alone for veg room / mother and use that t5 for young clones.

whitebb2727 said:

I use a 4 ft 8 bulb all the way through. The bulbs are double stacked. the fixture is 12 inches wide.

I got fresh sprouted seedlings under it.

They harden off to the sun so they can harden off to a light.

The 4ft 8 bulb will flower a 3 ft plant easy.
View attachment 3820293

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my girls are 4ft tall under a 6 tube fixture but I use a progressive harvest. taking the top half of the plant then lowering it and letting the bottom half grow for another week or 2 in order for the bottom buds to mature.I have grown cannabis under florescent for 4 years now and grew tomatoes and peppers indoors under them before that. I sometimes wonder if the LED crowd has ever tasted good quality florescent grown cannabis.

whitebb2727 said:

I use the cheap $100 durolux off amazon. They make a 12 and 16 bulb 4ft models to.

I have two of them a 6 and 8 bulb. A buddy has the 6 bulb. Both have been running for a couple years non stop.

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plusrite are also goo cheap ballast and are use in many commercial installations https://www.1000bulbs.com/product/91989/PLUSRITE-7319.html. ballast wise are good as well and their instant start feature may increase bulb life

There will be a difference in the electric bill over 1 year. My T5 uses 96w, just blue lights, love the thing. Even used to have one too, sold it to a buddy, then slapped myself on the forehead and bought another

If you want tall veg plants, and want to shave off 3 weeks get a 400w in a veg tent...

I'd rather take a bit longer with a T5 to be honest! Costs virtually nothing to buy, maintain and run. Just use a T5, takes longer, train the plants so they have lots of tops. Like these.. Then you'll be getting the best out of the T5. These plants were not grown under T5, but still... they are the same style I would grow them under the T5. Short with lots of tops.



Once you start adding more lights the electric bill soon creeps up to ridiculous.

If you are getting a metal halide. Seriously consider this lamp... Sunmaster 250w 6500k metal halide. I use it in my veg tent. I'm currently using my T5 for cloning which is assisting them in rooting within 5 days.


If you can fit more in, also consider they do 2ft 2 tube 48w T5's that can be used for side lighting alongside the other T5. You can always fit them in no matter what.

Fevs said:

There will be a difference in the electric bill over 1 year. My T5 uses 96w, just blue lights, love the thing. Even used to have one too, sold it to a buddy, then slapped myself on the forehead and bought another

If you want tall veg plants, and want to shave off 3 weeks get a 400w in a veg tent...

I'd rather take a bit longer with a T5 to be honest! Costs virtually nothing to buy, maintain and run. Just use a T5, takes longer, train the plants so they have lots of tops. Like these.. Then you'll be getting the best out of the T5. These plants were not grown under T5, but still... they are the same style I would grow them under the T5. Short with lots of tops.

View attachment 3821039 View attachment 3821041

Once you start adding more lights the electric bill soon creeps up to ridiculous.

If you are getting a metal halide. Seriously consider this lamp... Sunmaster 250w 6500k metal halide. I use it in my veg tent. I'm currently using my T5 for cloning which is assisting them in rooting within 5 days.

View attachment 3821045
If you can fit more in, also consider they do 2ft 2 tube 48w T5's that can be used for side lighting alongside the other T5. You can always fit them in no matter what.

Click to expand...

once you get over 350 watts. (6 tube F54T5) metal halides and CMH bulbs are a more effiecient option and CMH bulbs provide the same full spectrum light that is available from T5s

There are very few low wattage lights around as good as the T5. I've wanted to do a T5 scrog for ages. May just have a crack at that soon.

A friend uses a 2ft 4 tube T5 along with a cheap led and cfl. He uses 2 blue and 2 red tubes and it looks great! Plants are loving it.

mauricem00 said:

my girls are 4ft tall under a 6 tube fixture but I use a progressive harvest. taking the top half of the plant then lowering it and letting the bottom half grow for another week or 2 in order for the bottom buds to mature.I have grown cannabis under florescent for 4 years now and grew tomatoes and peppers indoors under them before that. I sometimes wonder if the LED crowd has ever tasted good quality florescent grown cannabis.

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I do the same. Harvest in stages.

Fevs said:

There are very few low wattage lights around as good as the T5. I've wanted to do a T5 scrog for ages. May just have a crack at that soon.

A friend uses a 2ft 4 tube T5 along with a cheap led and cfl. He uses 2 blue and 2 red tubes and it looks great! Plants are loving it.

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T5 works great for scrog to.

Fevs said:

There are very few low wattage lights around as good as the T5. I've wanted to do a T5 scrog for ages. May just have a crack at that soon.

A friend uses a 2ft 4 tube T5 along with a cheap led and cfl. He uses 2 blue and 2 red tubes and it looks great! Plants are loving it.

Click to expand...

I use 2G11 55 watt cfls 6500k with plusrite ballast in my veg closet but for flowering I use a 6 tube F54 T5 fixture with a mix of 6500k and P@A bulbs and am very happy with the results low budget grow but good yield and quality. (keeps the medicine bowl filled and that all that really matters)