T-5's for large scale grow??

[yamaha_1fan]

our space is roughly 20x20 and we are planning on running around 6KW. I am getting some financial help in getting setup and they have found someone with some extra T-5s. I told him I really think HID's are the way to go. I really had my heart set on getting 10 Lumatek 600Watters. I did a quick search here but everyone using T-5's seems to be microgrowers


So for that much light T-5's or HID?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

HID - IMO

 

[Ah Tzul]

use what u have

use what u have

utilize those t-5's u HAVE for clones and veg. Use HID for everything else(mom's and Bloom). I operate a 2 phase bloom. the first 7-10 days under ALOT of T5 light, then the remaining time under 600w Gavita's.

Summary= HID is KING

 

[Germanator]

Ah Tzul in his early posts is correct!

Use those T5s for veg for seedlings, clones, moms and if you have enough space and T 5s in the veg space. Then go for the HID. But you already know this...

Best of luck

Germ

 

[Guest]

There is only one way to use T5s for a larger grow, and that is SCROG, which is a lot of work. Buy HIDs and use the tubes for your seedlings and clones, they are great for vegging.

 

[SweetIndica2]

Yep, like people have suggested, you can use t5's for vegging and the cloning phase. For flowering phase though, HID is the way to go. HID's are a lot more efficient and will save you money in the long run. HID's can also generally penetrate into the lower branches alot better.

Have you grown before? 6000w's is alot to start with, i would suggest a few smaller grows before hand or else you going to frustrate yourself. I also wouldn't purchase digital ballasts, i'm assuming this is a commercial grow? Digital ballasts do not last as long and have been having alot of problems as it's a new technology.

most digital ballasts don't work with certain bulbs, and generally they only last a few years. I've owned magnetic ballasts for 10+ years that have never stopped working, yt i haven't seen a digital last longer than a few years without having problems or completely breaking all together. Also, don't listen to the digital ballast marketing schemes. They do not give off more light, infact they give off less because they don't supply as much power to the bulb. While you will save a little bit of electricity (2-4% at most from my experience), you will also be sacraficing the lumen output of the lamp. The only real upside to digi's is that they are smaller, lighter, and generally run cooler. Most of which don't matter to me.