Using T5 as sidelights?

tmold44

tmold44

Well-Known Member
I've looked through forums and don't see much on this subject. I am trying a new setup and wondering if I'm wasting electricity. I run 2 600w hps over 6 five gallon dwc systems. I'm trying a 4 foot 8 bulb t5 flouro hanging vertical sideways on each side of my setup about 4 inches away from the sides of plants. Curious if this will be beneficial enough to outway electric cost. If anyone has experience with this I'd love to hear. I attached a couple pics to give you an idea. These were taken before I placed 2 more plants in the middle...but you should get the idea of how the t5s are hung and the the 2 600w hps overtop.2018-01-16 10.19.56.jpg 2018-01-16 10.18.38.jpg
 
B

budman410

Well-Known Member
I want to hear a good response to this as well my bill already is a little high I was planning on using the walmart t8 shop lights for side lighting for mothers
 
tmold44

tmold44

Well-Known Member
If there isn't any input I will be able to let you know at the end of the grow. I'm running clones of plants I have grown exactly the same setup before, just minus the sidelights. So I will be able to do a pretty good yield to yield comparison.
 
Rolla J

Rolla J

Well-Known Member
I've used 2x 2 bulb t8s 68 watts as side lighting to accompany 3x 65watt true watter cfls when I was running that room. It was in a 2x2. Definitely go with the side lighting. Bill wise should be a ok but bud wise... Well will be beneficial.

Different... But same same kinda grow
 
Nugs1

Nugs1

Well-Known Member
tmold44 said:
I've looked through forums and don't see much on this subject. I am trying a new setup and wondering if I'm wasting electricity. I run 2 600w hps over 6 five gallon dwc systems. I'm trying a 4 foot 8 bulb t5 flouro hanging vertical sideways on each side of my setup about 4 inches away from the sides of plants. Curious if this will be beneficial enough to outway electric cost. If anyone has experience with this I'd love to hear. I attached a couple pics to give you an idea. These were taken before I placed 2 more plants in the middle...but you should get the idea of how the t5s are hung and the the 2 600w hps overtop.View attachment 4074807 View attachment 4074809
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I was watching and reading someone reporting on this, its been a while or I'd link it. They were talking about doing any side lighting would be beneficial but specifically try using side lighting with 6500 kelvin bulbs to give the high blue spectrum. Even during flower so the lower sections of the plant won't expend much energy trying to grow out and up with buds but instead the energy would be sent mostly upwards to the top. Not sure if it works or how well.
 
tmold44

tmold44

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the reply. I figured it would be worthwhile and in the grand scheme of things the extra 2 t5s running isn't pulling that much more. I've regularly pulled .60-.70 grams/watt without the sidelights. The t5s are rated 400w each but I can't imagine it will equate to an additional .65grams/watt for the additional 800 watts of t5.
 
tmold44

tmold44

Well-Known Member
Nugs1 said:
I was watching and reading someone reporting on this, its been a while or I'd link it. They were talking about doing any side lighting would be beneficial but specifically try using side lighting with 6500 kelvin bulbs to give the high blue spectrum. Even during flower so the lower sections of the plant won't expend much energy trying to grow out and up with buds but instead the energy would be sent mostly upwards to the top. Not sure if it works or how well.
Click to expand...
I never thought of that....I'm using the typical 3000k bloom bulbs currently but certainly have 6500k spares that I use in veg. Maybe 4 3000k and 4 6500k in each fixture?
 
tmold44

tmold44

Well-Known Member
I don't think I can use 4 ft leds in my current t5 fixtures. I need to check though....I like that idea a lot!
 
Rolla J

Rolla J

Well-Known Member
Forgot about them led tubes. Pretty sure they are powered. Need un shunted tombstones, no ballast
 
Nugs1

Nugs1

Well-Known Member
tmold44 said:
I never thought of that....I'm using the typical 3000k bloom bulbs currently but certainly have 6500k spares that I use in veg. Maybe 4 3000k and 4 6500k in each fixture?
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Yeah I'm not too sure about the science of it lol, but the article author was very well versed.
I have definitely heard of people using one of each. I would make sure to evenly distribute the blue bulbs to make good use of the blue spectrum.
 
tmold44

tmold44

Well-Known Member
Nugs1 said:
Yeah I'm not too sure about the science of it lol, but the article author was very well versed.
I have definitely heard of people using one of each. I would make sure to evenly distribute the blue bulbs to make good use of the blue spectrum.
Click to expand...
I think I'm gonna try 4 of each in one of the sidelights alternating bulbs and leave other sidelight all 3000k bulbs and see if there is a difference. Might be a good expirement.
 
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