I get 210 watts from a 2'x4' four bulb T5 fixture And I can keep it close if I want.
I still don't think we are over the hump on LED, sort like hybrid cars.
Someday....
How many people do you know with a hybrid?
I know One!
HID lighting is still the best thing available for the cost to buy and run.
thats seems to be the board consensus as I read it.
With all due respect, for T5 lighting, it's not that "you
CAN keep it close if you want". Rather, it's that "you
MUST keep it close for good results".
I've been in your boat. I kept the T5 2 inches above my plants. And it caused heat issues, and I had to "raise" the light every day to tend to my plants, and "lower" the light after I got done tending to my plants. This is all negated with my LED light because I can keep the light 18 inches above the canopy and still get great results.
Face it. For vegging, as far as performance is concerned, LEDs have arrived. Cost-wise, not quite. But performance-wise, hell yes. Based upon my results and the convenience factor, I'll NEVER use anything except LEDs for vegging. But if you're strapped for cash, T5s provide a pretty good alternative for a reduced price.