are T 5's as good as hid for vegging

[HIGHGROOVE]

Just trying to keep the cost down on the dreaded electric bill...so my question to you out there with experience with both are the t5s as good as a 600 watt hps in veg....?

 

[YosemiteSam]

Are they as good as...no. Are they good enough, probably depending on your goals. Tell us what you are planning for a more complete answer.

 

[ReeferRon]

Depends on how long you veg for. If your running a SOG or have a set up where you only need to veg for 1-3 weeks T5's are just as good and would be all you need. If however you wanted larger plants with longer veg times, go with the 600 watter or at least a 400 watt HID.

Once the plants get 8"-10" high the T5 cannot penetrate far enough down the plants to be effective for long term vegetative growth. Of course LST could be used to help this and keep a nice low canopy.

I have a 4 bulb 4' T5 and it provides 20,000 lumens and is used for seedlings and newly rooted clones. (Until they get 8"-10".) If I'm going for larger plants I have a 400 watt HPS with a CMH bulb for the next 1-3 weeks. It provides about 40,000 lumens or double the T5 and gets much better canopy penetration, making for a better overall plant when it comes time to bloom IMO.

 

[HIGHGROOVE]

right on very precise answer I guess ill run then until a lil below 8 inches then the 600 and then two 600s for flower

 

[D Rock]

dude I started out with a 8 bulb T5 and grew colas as big as my arm. Iused my T5 all the way from seed to flower and had some very good smoke.