lighting ?s w/ 4' t8s

[artfog]

I doing an indoor grow w/ several plants Red Dragon & my own Hybrid. I will be using for the 1st time 2 fixtures i.e. 4' T8s. 2- 3000K and 2 6500K. The 3000 will be for Veg and 6500 for flowering. I plan to keep a mix of both warm/cool in the veg state.
I will grow all the way through flowering. I think I may pump up the grow if necessary w/some 60-100 watt CFLs as we get to flowering. That is it.
I put this to the experts out there. Is there any reason I should do more w/ the lighting? Thanks

 

[stoned-trout]

the more lights the better bro...not much penetration on a t8...FWIW walmart has 55watt cfl bulbs for 12$$$ 3800 lumens...

 

[Shiva Blaster]

T 8's are great for veg and super weak for flowering. You'd need a lot more than you have to flower multiple plants and the light coverage and penetration is so poor with them. You need min 100 actual watts per plant in flower for any kind of results.

You'd be better off buying a switchable MH/HPS kit, it would cost about the same as all the t-8's you'd need to flower multiple plants, and you'd get far better results.

 

[stoned-trout]

I just finished a few plants with t8...... was better than I expected..i will get a few pics before chop......go for it man

 

[aridbud]

I doing an indoor grow w/ several plants Red Dragon & my own Hybrid. I will be using for the 1st time 2 fixtures i.e. 4' T8s. 2- 3000K and 2 6500K. The 3000 will be for Veg and 6500 for flowering. I plan to keep a mix of both warm/cool in the veg state.
I will grow all the way through flowering. I think I may pump up the grow if necessary w/some 60-100 watt CFLs as we get to flowering. That is it.
I put this to the experts out there. Is there any reason I should do more w/ the lighting? Thanks[URL="https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=49073&pictureid=1144047&thumb=1"]View Image[/URL]

It's adequate lighting. Try a grow....the plants will tell you if more light is needed, esp. if elongated (stretching for light), airy buds. After your first grow, you'll know if/when you need more light.

Grew in a Reno basement using 6 "shop light" fluoros arranged vertically around 6 plants. Did the job!!!

 

[tube dude]

You will need the 6500 for veg and the 3000 for flower.

 

[artfog]

Yah, I get them reversed because I am use to film photography. Thanks

 

[artfog]

Thanks for the tip you all. I think you are right that the T8 is not enough penetration but I plan to use several 60W cfl in addition when I get to flowering. I was not sure at first but everyone has confirmed the need for more. I think I can get results w/ T8s but better w/ some backup at after 'veg'.

 

[artfog]

I have heard pro & con on different size fluorescent tubes i.e. T5,T8 and T12 but nothing definitive. As I researched lighting web sites ( www.hoveyelectric.com, search 'T8 vs T5') I narrowed down to T5 vs T8, both of which yield little advantage using other then cost . In fact the T5 is more expensive (x2) and does not out perform the T8 by the same margin. The T8 = 90 LPW while the t5 = 99LPW which is a small margin when taking in consideration the expense. The T5 diameter the size of a dime while the T8 is nickel size. The specs are still out on the lighting so I went w/ the least expensive and am about to purchase the T8 fixtures. I will use this for my vegetative stage and double down w/ several CFL 60w at flowering. Does anyone have any other information that would put some light on my situation.

 

[stoned-trout]

I would be doing some training or sog or scrog...I am guessing I got like 7 grams per plant lol...I definitely wont let em get as big next time but I am searching for a mom...I tossed some under canopy lighting not sure how much it helped..weakass 17 watt floros from walmart ready to go for like 11$$$..man I wish I had room for an hid..they sit in a pile now...

 

[artfog]

why can't you add some clips w/60 watt cfls along side or around the plants in addition to the floros?

 

[aridbud]

Years ago we did typical dual tube shop light t8's in a Reno basement....had them surrounding vertically close to plants (no heat burn on those buzzin' fluoros). Worked great!!! Had 4 vertical, 2 overhead...photo periods. The overheads were on chain to raise as plant grew taller.

We're talking in the mid-1980's....had some good smoke from it (bag seed, gifted), decent yield. Only did 6 plants though. These were just plain ordinary cool white light tubes. Vertical light set up...helped with 'penetration' having light beaming both vert and horiz.

 

[artfog]

Years ago we did typical dual tube shop light t8's in a Reno basement....had them surrounding vertically close to plants (no heat burn on those buzzin' fluoros). Worked great!!! Had 4 vertical, 2 overhead...photo periods. The overheads were on chain to raise as plant grew taller.

We're talking in the mid-1980's....had some good smoke from it (bag seed, gifted), decent yield. Only did 6 plants though. These were just plain ordinary cool white light tubes. Vertical light set up...helped with 'penetration' having light beaming both vert and horiz.

I have 6, T8s both 6500K alternate 2700K horizontally suspended on a bicycle pulley system. This then is mounted on a 96" housing I constructed out of wood. The housing also supports timer, 4" exhaust & filter system. The middle of the housing has two 24" x 48" collapsible tables to start with. This whole operation is in my office. Most of the construction was made w/ recycled material. Looks like something Frank Gerry would build. Believe it or not it looks good and works.
Aridbud Thanks for your input. Everything helps

 

[artfog]

Correction "Frank Gehry"