Side by side growth comparison using t8' vs t5'

[schill93]

I am still struggling over purchasing my indoor lighting system. I need a minimum of two and possibly 3 (I figure) 4' 4 tubers. I have decided on the Hydrofarm Designer but have been giving some consideration to only buying one starting out and then perhaps trying a T8 setup as well.

It is not the additional cost of the unit itself, but most reviews I have read complain about the poor quality bulbs that are supplied with the units and the need to buy better bulbs, which we all know cost considerably more than T8 bulbs.

I also am considering the reliability of the T5 units as there are so many complaints about bad ballasts after a short time. So my question is..............

Has anybody done a side by side comparison using both setups? Is growth appreciably better using T5's over T8's. Do plants look healthier using T5's.

The one positive that I have read that appeals to me from people who have switched to T5's is that hardening off is often not necessary.

If you have purchased t5's, which system did you get. They have some very reasonable ones, but so many of the reviews refer to them as junk. Very confusing.

Love to hear your experiences.

[Nematode]

Don't know if it helps, but I think I'm going this route for my next indoor light project.
Led strips seem pretty economical.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...ghts/?ALLSTEPS

[schill93]

Originally Posted by Nematode

Don't know if it helps, but I think I'm going this route for my next indoor light project.
Led strips seem pretty economical.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...ghts/?ALLSTEPS

Well you bring up a point. Although I was considering the T5 fluorescent light fixtures with bulbs, I as most I would much prefer putting that $351.00 towards LEDs. However, my understanding is they are not yet ready for prime time unless you spend a considerable amount of money. I'm not a builder, so I would need ready made.

There is someone on this forum who just tried a couple of inexpensive Costco LED shop lights for $30 each out of curiosity, and his plants grew out fine (though a lot of purple in the leaves)

I will have to touch base with him and see how they did after he planted them in the ground and matured. Someone commented that the lights he used would not develop the root system as well. Would be interesting to get the latest findings.

[Nematode]

http://www.carnivorousplants.org/how...ghting.LED.php

T5 ho win over leds on a $$ basis.

[dfollett]

I use the 6 tube Hydrofarm T5s and have been very happy with them. I purchased them on ebay. I have had some for 4 1/2 years now. I use them year round. I've had to replace a few ballasts and tubes, but don't have anything to compare them to so I can't say how they compare to others.

They happen to fit perfectly in a 48" x 18" x 72" Costco shelving unit. No modification or hardware is needed - just place the two end brackets where you want the light and it fits securely on them.

I can't go from the lights to full all-day sun, but they are very easy to harden off - three or four hours of morning sun the for about three days then into full sun.

[AlittleSalt]

I'm still using T12s. They just won't quit working.

[schill93]

Originally Posted by dfollett

I use the 6 tube Hydrofarm T5s and have been very happy with them. I purchased them on ebay. I have had some for 4 1/2 years now. I use them year round. I've had to replace a few ballasts and tubes, but don't have anything to compare them to so I can't say how they compare to others.

They happen to fit perfectly in a 48" x 18" x 72" Costco shelving unit. No modification or hardware is needed - just place the two end brackets where you want the light and it fits securely on them.

I can't go from the lights to full all-day sun, but they are very easy to harden off - three or four hours of morning sun the for about three days then into full sun.

Which ones do you have? Do you have the Designer series or the Agrobrite's. They have different measurements. I wound up purchasing a nice chrome shelf from Costco last week, and it is 18" deep (4' x 18") as well.

The total measurement for depth which includes the round posts is 18" I believe. This is why I thought I could not fit the Hydrofarm 6 bulb on it. It is still in the bed of the truck, so I can't measure anything. Will probably be quicker for me to go back to Costco with a better measuring tape. then waiting for my son to get it out and assemble it.

I was able to measure the side rail legs and they were almost 1 1/2", so I figured that would only leave about 15" of actual shelf space. I need to get the right measurement before ordering the lights. I'm glad to hear you have had good luck with yours.

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I'm still using T12s. They just won't quit working.

You know the older they are, the better they are built. Most things built today are getting cheaper and cheaper in the quality department. Though I know the T8 shop lights give off quite a bit more light, and of course the T5's, even more..

I even bought a couple of the cheap Costco LED shop lights to try as well, as another poster has had some success with them. Not the recommended light output, but according to him, they did as well as his regular fluorescent if not somewhat better.

Nematode: Interesting article.