T5 Highoutput flourescent lights

Just got myself a 2 x 4 T5 fixture, the only flowering bulbs i could get for the thing were 3500 k warm white , i tried for the 3000k ones but no luck. Anyone use the 3500 CFL's for flowering.
T5 highoutput fixtures are the way to go, all the commercial stores are tryin to save energy so they are replacing all the 400 watt metal halide highbays with t5 lighting. Half the cost for double the lumens. Being the electrician I am , I tested the new T5's with a lumens tester when I was done installing them in a store and was getting double the lumens from these new lamps. Can't wait for a full grow with these new lights, just switched the lights to 12/12 the other day. Got some critical mass from Mr. Nice seedbank and some spacebomb on the go . Will post some pics once flowering progresses.

but metal halide puts out a better blue light for growing (vegetation) more so than the t5 lights.

The heat output is a good point though in that t5 puts out way less heat than a metal halide.

curious about your results. You should post some pic once you get it going.

If you can do hps/MH do it you will never even rmember what a cfl is...but if you have space,heat,stealth issues...go with cfls they work too!


I use cfls!

https://www.rollitup.org/cfl-growing/262780-cfl-low-ryder-2-rubbermaid.html

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but metal halide puts out a better blue light for growing (vegetation) more so than the t5 lights.

The heat output is a good point though in that t5 puts out way less heat than a metal halide. "

Actually i think your wrong on that one , you can get any spectrum you want with fluorescent bulbs 3000k - 6500k. The 400 watt metal halide would just be more intense lighting because it is a HID style fixture. But now these new Highoutput T5 lights are suppose to be just as intense with better color rendition of the lighting wavelength. Only time will tell i guess, have to wait and see what i get for results.

CFl lighting is superior to either MH or HPS when done correctly. The problem is doing it correctly.

I don't think cfls are superior in any way but heat and ease of positions and costs. But those are important factors to many growers. If those are not factors for you, by all means use hps. I find plenty of T%s overhead and cfls on the sides to be the best compromise. Not as cheap as cfls, not as intense as hps but pretty close in both cases.