T5 lighting questions...

just recieved my 4foot 8bulb t5 fixture from htg supply. i chose all grow bulbs 54 watts each 6400k/5000 lumens, but 1 of my bulbs was bad so i now have to mess with the hassle of returning a single bulb and recieve another delivery from ups. another complaint i have is why are the t5;s running so hot temps are soreing over 80 a/c in the house is turned down to 71 yet i cant keep it cool. runs just as hot as my 600 mh which is why i purchased the t5's. i had a regular 4 foot 4 bulb floro's and it was way cooler... i thought these t5's was supose to be more light and less heat. AHH THAT FEELS BETTER THANKS FOR LETTING ME VENT ALITTLE..... now my question is it the ballist makeing the heat or the bulbs and if its the bulbs are there any bulbs that run cooler thanks and sorry for the ranting...

Just have some basic air circulation around the fixture and the plant. and all will be good. T5 runs much much cooler than a 600w

well not the one i have, because like i said a/c is on 71 the rest of the house is cold and the room where the light is is 10*deg hotter with 2 125 cfm's venting the box and a fan blowing right over the light and plants and its still 81* so maybe there is something wrong with this fixture... i geuss the only thing i can do now i buy a portable a/c for the room ....another 300 plus out my pocket man i'll have more in equipment than i be able to produce in bud for atleast 2 grows... man getting very discoraged

When I was using my T5's for top lighting it was getting hot too, how big are your intakes and exhausts openings? is there good air circulation in your box?

Hang in there, If u plan on smoking weed for a while then don't worry I think you'll save yourself a lot of cash in the long run. Prices are wack

I just set up a 2x4x5 veg tent with a 4' 6 bulb T5. I'm not sure why but the first night I ran it, it ran super hot. The ballast was pretty hot to the touch and the tent was 82-85. When I got home from work today the tent was 73, the ballast was only warm to the touch and it had been on for over 18hrs. so maybe give it a day? All I have is a 160cfm exhaust at the top and a cpu fan boosting the intake a little. Can't say this is a common experience, but I was pissed too as I passed on a 600hps due to heat and power consumption and was glad when the temps evened out.

OklmAddicted loose the intake fan just leave it open.

yea thanks i'll try and see if it cools down tomarrow its only running on 6 bulbs because 1 bulb was bad and it takes two working at the same time or neither will work...i have 2 125 cfm 6 inch fans in a 51inch by 51inch box plus a 3 speed fan sitting right by the intake and its blowing over the plants and light...and keeping the door open at night is a no no with me cant do it! so i'll see where i'am at tomarrow with temps and if its still no good then lowes here i come and my wallet will be 300 plus lighter because i'l have to get that portable a/c unit...but thanks for all your support.

aCiDjEsUs said:

OklmAddicted loose the intake fan just leave it open.

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I know a lot of growers prefer to keep their intakes passive and generally so do I. I opted to use a small cpu fan, because my exhaust vent is above my light fixture which at 47"x 19" doesn't allow for much air flow to get around it in a 2x4 tent and inhibits negative pressure. I've noticed considerably better airflow with the intake fan, so I'm going to roll with it until I figure a better option out, such as cutting another hole lower for exhaust etc... I do appreciate your suggestion as this site and it's members are the reason my first grow is going as good as it is!

EDIT: If you meant leave the tent doors open, I can't. I have cats and dogs and don't want my babies to become a kitty snack .

I run in a 2x4x4 with my 4 ft 4 bulb t5. Have just basic air circulation with my cab door open. Temps run low 70's