Hello, does anyone know how many watts using 4 foot t-5s would equal to a 600 watt hps? I know hps watt per watt puts out more lumens than t-5s, but what if you can add more of them? I was thinking about using them for flowering because of heat issues. Ive seen decent results with t-5s. They just arent as dense and big as I wish. But with the heat as a factor, I want to use t-5s. Penetration isnt as good with t-5s compared to hps so I'm going for sog growing. So each t-5 tube would be 54 watts and lets say I use 2 of the 6 bulb setups. They are rated at 5000 lumens each, which gives me 60,000 lumens using 648 watts. A 600 watt hps light gives 95000 lumens. With the height from light to plant distance each has, how many more t-5s do i have to use to equal a 600 watt? Will plants still take longer to flower for t-5s even though the light intensity is the same?
t-5 and hps
- Thread starter chingy
- Start date
UserFriendly
New Member
a lot of people don't really understand what light penetration means; light doesn't shine through leaves. do you understand?...(don't answer).....that being said. it is going to cost more money to get all those t-5's than it would for a 1000w hps. do you understand?.....(don't answer).....think about it.
Inneedofbuds
Well-Known Member
its really impossible to measure these kind of things. So much depends on bulb placement. I've seen t-5's grow better than 1000w in experienced hands, but it takes a lot of skill. If you have SCROG skills I would definately give the t-5's a try. Be wary of people who tell you cfl and t-5 just suck ass and hps rules all. Its been proven time and time again that t-5's and cfl's can produce amazing buds. It just takes a lot more work.
I have seen some decent grows with cfls and t-5s. This is more of a heat vs cost issue. Hps = less cost but more heat and T-5 = more cost less heat. Heat is managable in the winter but during the summer months, it gets pretty hot with a hps. I would definitely have to use an air cooled hood or cool tube. I heard fans can get pretty noisy and it wouldnt be too stealthy because I have people over sometimes. Thanks.
UserFriendly
New Member
you don't understand what a watt is (a unit of heat/radiant energy). 600w of cfl is the exact same as 600w of hps.
Those formulas are not true to you two.If so you d have to explain why a 400 watt conversion bulb emitts 30% less lumes then a standard straight bulb.You will also find the amount of heat from the equal amount of cfl to equal a straight hps is greater over all and the heat covers a wider are so the temp doesnt have anywhere to over flow and cool.Thus said T5 are great lights but do cost some but in certain situation will make more overall sense as you can cover a wider area with somewhat less wattage and heat is almost non existent.My buddy owns a hydro store and used 4 sets of the 8 tube T5s in each of his 4x8 hydro hut with 32 plants in each unit.The out put is very close to using 2 600 watt lights in an identical setup being different in that the hid lights give bigger top colas and more solid of a bud. The mixed spectrum T5s give more cola sites with smaller colas that are dense but not quite as hard with slightly less crystalization.When you ask your question about how many T5s equal a 600 watt hid light you have to ask in regards to lumne output, coverage or power of direct penetration through foiliage.Sincerely FilthyFletch
