T5 vs. CFL

Alright so I have 3 8" mothers and a clone humidity tub all veggin in about 2' by 3' space under 4 42w 2700L cfls, on 24hours. I have the option to buy a 2'-4 bulb T5 setup from a friend for $100 might be able to get it for around 80 if I do some wheelin n dealin.

Seeing how I have 650w hps in my 2'x4' flower box I just feel like the mothers/ clone veg space isnt getin enough light to keep a steady supply of clones and want to upgrade. From my research I have read that 2' t5's produce about 2000L per bulb making the fixture 8000L which seems really shitty to me because I can get 42w cfls that make 2700 for 10 bucks a pop. Should I just buy like 4 more cfls or do you think I should invest in the T5's. MH is not an option because it would get too hot in this specific space.

I'm totally sold on T5's. Here's some pics from my last T5 grow, seed to bud under an 8 foot work bench. They finished just perfect. Low temps and low electric bill.

t5 hands down

flouro tubes give a more even light distribution, so the light finds ways to the lower canopy from above, but then the argument can be made that the light has less intesity (less light flux for all your fellow nerds out there - less light passing through a unit area). I grow with 4 2' T12s with 2 42 watt CFLs for extra light lower on the plant during flower, and although it is my first grow is had good results.

SativaSam said:

I'm totally sold on T5's. Here's some pics from my last T5 grow, seed to bud under an 8 foot work bench. They finished just perfect. Low temps and low electric bill.

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Are these the same T5's you used, the same as the T5's for aquarium lights coz i can get em hella cheap

daztj7 said:

Are these the same T5's you used, the same as the T5's for aquarium lights coz i can get em hella cheap

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These are the ones, I have the 4 bulb 4 foot model, and I see the price has gone up a bit since my purchase.
T5 Lighting that works for me

daztj7 said:

Are these the same T5's you used, the same as the T5's for aquarium lights coz i can get em hella cheap

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Where? the cheapest i can find is about 280 w/ bulbs. 4 ft 6blber

Isthisyourspecialbush said:

Where? the cheapest i can find is about 280 w/ bulbs. 4 ft 6blber

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on ebay not cheap cheap but there was a 4 foot 2 tube system for $75 so for 6 tubes times X that buy 3 and $210 but without postage, ohh and im talkin AUD$$$ dollars

wait, hears the ebay link, its a damm good price wen u buy wholesale

This ones for a 8 X 54w, T5 lamp its like only $170

AQUARIUM LIGHT 8x54W T5 1250 Long Fish Tank Light - eBay, Fish, Pet Supplies, Home. (end time 19-May-08 23:25:21 AEST)

htg supply has a 4 foot 4 bulb setup 20k lumens it was 150 shipped for me... havent installed it yet but after looking at those pics I cant wait ...been using cfls

I use a 2' 8 bulb t5 system i've just started flowering under it, so far so good

alright so i splurged and bought it for 85 bucks, came with 3 blue bulbs and 2 orange bulbs so i got 3 moms veggin under it right now gettin ready to make them into 6 moms in like a week lol. check it outttttt i feel more professional now that i dont got cfls hangin aroun all over the place although i probably am gonna find a way to put the cfls back in there also

since you're not using reflective material on the sides, you would benefit from dropping the lights and/or propping up your plants.

ya actually when i got home from work today the biggest was bout quarter inch from the light so i moved it to bout 3 inch away cuz they are growin like weeds right now n i dont wanna move the light every day ya kno

and whats the deal with topping them at this stage? these are clones off a female that was bout 2 weeks into flowering and have now been growin for about another 3 weeks. can i top them right now to make more plants or do they need to be bigger before i start cuttin more clones off them? thanks for all the responses till now everyone peace n goodnight

joeshmo said:

ya actually when i got home from work today the biggest was bout quarter inch from the light so i moved it to bout 3 inch away cuz they are growin like weeds right now n i dont wanna move the light every day ya kno

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No, I dont know... I would get it as close to the plants without burning them and then move the light daily if necessary. Otherwise they will stretch farther than you would like them to.

NLXSK1 said:

No, I dont know... I would get it as close to the plants without burning them and then move the light daily if necessary. Otherwise they will stretch farther than you would like them to.

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well i have plenty of other shit to do in my life right now besides moving a light everyday.......

i say use a mix of both using ur CLFS and a bottom side light ditributer

is there a difference between a t5 horticultural system bought from a hydrostore or aquarium store vs a t5 system bought from home depot?