So I need to expand my veg room right now and don't want to spend a lot of money on new metal halides. I am currently running 3 250 metal halides for veg. I want to expand the room and was wondering what would be better: to add a few 4 foot fluorescent tubes or add a 430 watt HPS? I already have the HPS and bulbs, and would have to buy the fluorescent fixtures and bulbs (should be cheap though). What do you think?
Fluorescent vs HPS for veg?
- Thread starter louie
- Start date
Personally, I'd add a few of the 4' tubes, at least 2. Just keep the lights 2-4" above the plants and should be OK. That's what I run are those 4' shop lights 2" above the plants, then if you want, a couple of those 100w - 300w "equivalent" (27 watts) CFL's and you should be golden.
Also, it would depend on how tall/long you veg for. Works best for shorter plants because of the light penetration, or if you LST, supercrop or defoliate you can probably get away with it as well.
Another option, which is still cheaper then buying new MH's or HPS's, is to go with a 4 or 8 bulb T5 unit. More expensive then fluorescent's but work really really well I've heard. We use them on our saltwater fish tanks here, and boy do they push out quite a bit of light and you will get further light penetration.
I think power savings alone is worth at least looking into the T5's or CFL/Fluorescent's.
Just my .02
Also, it would depend on how tall/long you veg for. Works best for shorter plants because of the light penetration, or if you LST, supercrop or defoliate you can probably get away with it as well.
Another option, which is still cheaper then buying new MH's or HPS's, is to go with a 4 or 8 bulb T5 unit. More expensive then fluorescent's but work really really well I've heard. We use them on our saltwater fish tanks here, and boy do they push out quite a bit of light and you will get further light penetration.
I think power savings alone is worth at least looking into the T5's or CFL/Fluorescent's.
Just my .02
T
tARMAC
.....;/
High Fidelity
Member
hey 
i apologise in advance for me being so newb lol but what is a CFL and a HPS light?
sorry again
i apologise in advance for me being so newb lol but what is a CFL and a HPS light?
sorry again
S
SCROG McDuck
hey
i apologise in advance for me being so newb lol but what is a CFL and a HPS light?
sorry again
High Fidelity.. you have a long road ahead!! HA!HA!
The learning curve goes straight UP from here.
CFL = Compact Florecent Light
HPS = High Pressure Sodium
T5 = small diamiter florecent tubes (straight)
MH = Metal Halide
Each has its' own benifits.. read FAQ about lighting and all
other questions that are going to arise..
shit.. I can't find FAQs.. anyone know?
Almost 4 years later and 'alot' of reading, I'm still left in
the dark about some topics.... RE: FAQs'???? HAHAHA
Good luck, the confusion , aprehensioni and anticipation are wort it.
High Fidelity
Member
hahaha yeah i know i have so much to learn
thanks for your info much appreciated
cheers HiFi
thanks for your info much appreciated
cheers HiFi
P
PermaBuzz
are T5's much better than T8's? Is the growth healthier looking?
S
SCROG McDuck
They run cooler (F) and you can put more tubes in the same space = more lumins.. heather looking.. I guess, if more
lumins means happier girls.. if temps are good.
sort of. True, they do run cooler and since one of the most significant factors affecting lamp light output is ambient temp, its a good thing.
You also want to be sure the T5's your using are the HO (High Output) variety with proper ballast for the best results. You have T5NO (Normal output) and T5HO. The NO variety run in 14, 21, 28, and 35w. However, the HO versions run 24, 39, 54 and 80w bulbs. They are regularly used in saltwater hard/soft coral tanks. Which is why I know about them. I've run several coral saltwater tanks for the last 10 years now.
T12 VHO's (Very High Output) would also be a viable option using a 50/50 daylight bulb. However they are a 1 1/2 inch bulb.
So in the end, a 4' tube of T5HO will out perform a 4' tube of T8's, T12's or T-5NO bulbs. In most cases, a 2 lamp unit using T5HO lamps will produce more light than a 3 lamp unit using T8 lamps. And I will add that for T5's of any sort, I suggest a unit that has individual reflectors, as this has proven to give the best spread of light and penetration. And when raising corals, this is very very important.
You will see both sides though of VHO's vs. T-5HO's especially since most VHO's come with built in reflectors.
Both T5 and T5HO lamps retain more light output than T12 and a lot of T8 lamps. Most manufacturers will claim that T5 and T5HO lamps retain more than 95% of light output at 8,000 burning hours (40% of rated average life).
You'll also want to ensure you have have decent cooling on the bulbs themselves. Most saltwater T5HO setups come with built in intake and exhaust fans in an enclosed unit, as this helps with bulb life.
Just my .02
S
SCROG McDuck
Yes, alll true (I do not know about aquariums ot coral) and HO T5s are, not doubt,
better than standards but only if one is going to take the grow thru bloom.
IMO, for, clones and early veg, the standard 3300 t5s from HomeDepot work just as well and are cheap.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...rd=t5&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
I'm guessing that would be.. .04..
