T5s or 400watt Mh?

[apb420]

I originally wanted to use eight 2 foot T5s in a grow tent 5'high and 3'wide for my grow from start to finish.I was drawn to the T5s for the lower heat temps. compared to Hps or MH.I was just recently on High grade seeds forums and everyone says T5s are great for veg. but you need a MH or HPS light for flowering,because the buds will be small and fluffy if you use T5s all the way thru your grow.I want to know if im wasting time with T5s and if i can grow with a 400watt full sprectrum Mh in my tent without having heat issues.I planned on getting a digital ballast along with the Mh cuz i heard it gives off lower heat and a exhaust fan as well.Thanks

[smoking Joe]

I started my first grow using T 5's and switched to 250 watt hid with a digital ballast for my second grow. With the digital ballast there's no "hum" plus I can used metal halide and hps bulbs in the same setup. Also the ballast can be placed outside the room to reduce the heat.

The T5's are ok but hid lighting out performs t5's in flowering and veg. I have a control that turns on the exhaust when it reaches 80 degrees and turns off once the temp goes down.

[chuckd420]

Originally Posted by smoking Joe

I have a control that turns on the exhaust when it reaches 80 degrees and turns off once the temp goes down.

Is that the only exhaust fan that you have? And does it only run when it gets to hot? What is the size of your grow room?

[tokecrazy]

Hey apb420 The T-5's, cfl ,fluorescent are great for clones and veg,and you got it right small airy buds if you flower with.I have 400 watt digital and I use both MH and HPS veg with MH and flower with HPS.The thing you will run into is hight.the soil pots will take up at least 8" and the light at max hight would only leave 3'-6" and you need about 12" to 16" between the top of the plant and the light.It can be done.You'll have to have a air cooled light and a good fan.One more foot of space and you would have it just alittle better.You can do it just watch the heat is all. Peace

[apb420]

unfortunately i have to keep at 62"in height cuz it has to be in my closet and out of sight.The seeds i was planning on are autos and mostly indica dominant strains.If i have an air cooled light it will let me have my plants closer without burning?I also heard someone mention they have digital ballasts that you can keep outside your grow for less heat inside.

[smoking Joe]

Originally Posted by chuckd420

Is that the only exhaust fan that you have? And does it only run when it gets to hot? What is the size of your grow room?

my room is 3' x 4' x 7.5 '. I am using a 6" vortex fan that's running on a timer to run 5 minutes ever half hour and also on a controller that turns the fan on if the temp reaches 80 as a back up. Also I have a passive intake for the room and using 250 watt hid light. Plants are growing fine with no problems and controls all odors.

[chuckd420]

Originally Posted by smoking Joe

my room is 3' x 4' x 7.5 '. I am using a 6" vortex fan that's running on a timer to run 5 minutes ever half hour and also on a controller that turns the fan on if the temp reaches 80 as a back up. Also I have a passive intake for the room and using 250 watt hid light. Plants are growing fine with no problems and controls all odors.

How close can you hang the light near the tops of your plants? Is it an air cooled light? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm building a grow box right now that will be less than 60" tall, so I'm trying to figure out what my best option is for a light in there that will still allow enough room for my hydro system and a decent amount of vertical growth.

[TwinTurboZ]

Great thread, im encountering the same problem with my grow area. Low on height. Guess im going to have to move it closer to the roof. I plan to use a 150watt MH sunpod HQI that emitts 300watts of juice. Should be enough for flowering, I hope.

I read you can put a HPS bulb in a MH fixture? Is this true?

/Hijack

[chuckd420]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboZ

I read you can put a HPS bulb in a MH fixture? Is this true?

They are special bulbs called conversion bulbs, hps for mh and vice versa. they cost a little more than a standard bulb.