Fluorescent T5 or HPS/MH?

I already bought one 24w 6400k T5 HO bulb and set up. I was wondering how many seedlings this light could grow because I plan on getting a few more since it was cheaper than getting a two light system.
I was hoping to be able to get at least 5 to 10 plants underneath each 24'' light fixture. And another question, after the cotyledons are sprouted how long do they have to be under the lights for until I can transfer them to my Vegetation Room. i always thought it was until they just had a good root system but someone said it takes three weeks but another person said it takes one or two weeks. I think he might have meant one or two weeks after you plant it and it sprouted but i just wanted to make sure it wasn't longer.

Oh one more questio, would I be able to fit 20 plants under one 600 watt HPS in rows of 4 down and 5 across so its like a rectangle, or if the maximum would be a 4x4 plants setup.

thank you

Ol'TokenJon said:

Oh one more questio, would I be able to fit 20 plants under one 600 watt HPS in rows of 4 down and 5 across so its like a rectangle, or if the maximum would be a 4x4 plants setup.

thank you

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When they are small and in Solo cups they'll be okay, but as they grow and you re-pot, you're gonna need more light. I have 4 right now under a 600 HPS growing in 3 gallon pots. I could easily fit 5, but I want them to have all the elbow room they need.

Fluorescent tube lamps suck,
MH/HPS if you have the $$ for it,
and just use CFL's if you don't want to shell out cash.

C.Indica said:

Fluorescent tube lamps suck,
MH/HPS if you have the $$ for it,
and just use CFL's if you don't want to shell out cash.

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going to have to strongly disagree with the t5's and t8's sucking! I start 50 clones and start vegging up to 20 clones in foam cups under a t8 setup I got a lowes for 21 dollars (including bulbs). I keep up to a 4 ft mother under one hydrofarm 2ft 2tube t5 fixture and veg another 15 or 20 clones under another hydrofarm fixture. They get move to another room when they get bigger but I only have 3 lights in there to light up the whole closet! you are going to have a mess of cfls and plugs to equal the light of these 3. Plus adding all those bulbs is going to get in the way and end up costing a lot for the bulbs. I don't hate cfl's just IMO you get way more out of t5's and t8's.

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This is a new mother, she is only about 2 feet tall. She has only been under t5's

meant to put theses in the last post

you can fit as many plants you can fit pots. the more plants you have though the less room they have to grow. I could stick 100 plants in dixie cups under a 600 if I wanted to, they would just have to stay really small.

Go for one or two plants under the 600 - thats what i plan on doing my next grow Veg them out til they are about 2ft tall and then flower those ladies!!!

I know I'm wrong about them sucking, but only pro's can get good results out of them.
I see you are one of them, thanks for contributing.
I still vote cfls over tubes, but its personal choice.