T5 vs T8

T8 bulbs and the associated ballasts were created to combat the relatively high operating costs of the t5s.

I veg only with t5 now. t5 will kick a t8 butt any day

hydrofarm t-5's i really dont care what anyone lese tells ya op! here this is what they look likein my opinion you shouldnt skimp on equipment for medicine! Not during veg or flower imo. Hydrofarm have been around for years ,they stand behind there products, and those darn lights can grow ANYTHING!

There nice fixtures! Bulbs can be gotten anywhere. Thier prices look good though. I pay $8 for a sunblaster 53w bulb. I can get them at an electrical wholesaler though.

t5 all the way

oceangreen said:

t5 all the way

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Indeed T5 are superior, but there are downsides too. They burn out very quickly - under a year life span. The T8s last four years and keep most of their brightness over the whole life span. T8s are very cheap initial cost too compared to T5. $10 - $14 per four foot T5 vs $3 -$5 for T8 replacement bulbs.

I use T5s and probably always will, but for people on a budget T8s are a very good option also.

Everything has it's place.

typhoon said:

Kool, do you only use the T5s in veg? If not, what do you use in flower? I am using 54w 5000k. What wattage are your 6500ks Would you know if the 6500k are better for veg than the 5000k?

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I just switched recenty so I have not tried to use them in veg. IM using the 54w HO 6500k lights to veg right now and so far my ladies are loving the switch. The t8's and the cfls i was using before worked but the amount of light im putting out now is totally increased since the swicth. It wasnt to much money either since I found them on CL. That sure helped. Im still new to the MMJ scene but being able to grow your own and know whats in it sure is nice.

GreenThumbSucker said:

Indeed T5 are superior, but there are downsides too. They burn out very quickly - under a year life span. The T8s last four years and keep most of their brightness over the whole life span. T8s are very cheap initial cost too compared to T5. $10 - $14 per four foot T5 vs $3 -$5 for T8 replacement bulbs.

I use T5s and probably always will, but for people on a budget T8s are a very good option also.

Everything has it's place.

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t-5's are better than t-8's! period!

VTMi'kmaq said:

t-5's are better than t-8's! period!

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Yes, but T8s will work in a pinch. Not everyone has money.

I have yet to have one burn out (T5). I do rotate them a bit but they are 2 years old now. Not sure if output has diminshed though!

waterdawg said:

I have yet to have one burn out (T5). I do rotate them a bit but they are 2 years old now. Not sure if output has diminshed though!

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Thats pretty good. THe manufacturers say to change them every few months of continuous use. Mine seem to last 8 months to a year.

Pic 1 is the same age as pic two. 1 is under T5 and 2 is under T8. I had to move further away from plant 1 so you can see that the bucket appears smaller. That's how much larger plant 1 is. They are both 4.5 weeks old. The T5s have really tight internodal spacing, the leaves are twice the size, and the roots are massive in comparrison!!

I guess I should read more lol I didnt realize you were supposed to change them!! I do change my HIDS every 5-6 months so I guess yes it is reasonable to change them as well. Jeezus does the money ever stop flowing lol.

typhoon said:

Pic 1 is the same age as pic two. 1 is under T5 and 2 is under T8. I had to move further away from plant 1 so you can see that the bucket appears smaller. That's how much larger plant 1 is. They are both 4.5 weeks old. The T5s have really tight internodal spacing, the leaves are twice the size, and the roots are massive in comparrison!!

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No doubt the T5 is better suited for horticultural use. But for something cheap that works, high output T8s are a good alternative. My friend mixes the T8s with CFLs and has a pretty impressive veg setup going.

Pic 1 is the same age as pic two. 1 is under T5 and 2 is under T8. I had to move further away from plant 1 so you can see that the bucket appears smaller. That's how much larger plant 1 is. They are both 4.5 weeks old. The T5s have really tight internodal spacing, the leaves are twice the size, and the roots are massive in comparrison!!

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I gotta ask. Are they the same strain and are they cloned or seed? I do use T5's BTW. That is amazing if the same. As they say proof is in the pudding lol.

waterdawg said:

Are they the same strain and are they cloned or seed?

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Yes, they are the same strain and both are from clones. Identical batch and age.

typhoon said:

Yes, they are the same strain and both are from clones. Identical batch and age.

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Are the ones under the T8s in a drip system? Not as nice as the one under the T5 but they sure do look healthy.

GreenThumbSucker said:

Are the ones under the T8s in a drip system?

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Yes, both plants are under the identical systems other than the lights.

Thats really wild I never thought they made that much of a difference. I'm glad I went with them for vegging!

Hey guys, i'm running seeds for the first time and was gonna get a T5 from home depot. The only lights they had was 2 bulb 24" and really skinny bulbs. I didn't catch the lumens/watts. Will this be enough to sprout my seeds with? Or do i need a 4 bulb 48"? My plan was to just start seedlings under T5 and after they sprout throw under 600W. Then when i start flower, change my bulb to 1000W. If anybody has some suggestions or a link to a decent T5 light from HD or lowes i would appreciate it very much!! I have to pull the trigger today! Sorry for short notice.