New light?

Was previously using an old 400w hps to veg 4 Dwc units at a time to about 18-24inch height. In a 3x3 area.


It finally shit the bed but it performed well up until it's last day lol ....


What do you guys suggest for a replacement? T5? Hps?


I'll take any and all suggestions

 

I wouldn't use HPS to veg with, that's designed for flowering. If you want to go high power go with a MH. But the flos work fine for me and others. The T-5 work great and have the power. T-8 work well, they don't quite have the power of the T-5 but run much cooler and are more efficient.


I use the T-5 and T-8. T-5 where heats not an issue and T-8 where it gets a little warm.


There are conversion setups where the ballast and bulb can run MH or HPS. If you want a single unit with power you may look into that option. And if you're going to work 4 DWC you may think about a 600 watt because those babies can get pretty big!! Good Luck!!!!


Be Cool, CG

 

Thanks creative, I'll prolly go with the t-5. I was leaning that way but just looking for feedback. I'm not really worried bout size, only vegging till 18-20 inches usually and then they get pushed over to my flower room( 3 x 1000hps).


So basically the t-5s have done the trick for you? Have you always used t-5 or have u been able to personal compare results from MH/hps ?


I just concerned about loosing yield.


P.s. I know hps is not designed for veg, but if always used hps, I have read that hps gives you slightly shorter node spacing in veg. But now I'm looking to switch , besides the 400w hps was an old one with ballast built in to hood. It was a pain in this ass.

 

Yeah, if you've got the big K's you don't need a conversion. The MH probably will grow the veg plants a 'little' faster but for the power savings and heat reduction the flos work great.


I use the MH in the winter sometimes for the heat but never in the warmer weather. The Flos mean a few more lights to plug up but far less heat and are what I prefer.


The T-5s is probably your best overall choice. And a good reflector to put the light where you need it.


Be Cool, CG

 

I used to use a 1000K MH to veg but the heat was also a problem for me. So I switched to all t-5 floros. Love 'em. The bigger arrays do put off a good bit of heat but nothing like the MH. And no diff in growth rate or plant structure.


Nipp hps for veg?

 

Ide go the t5s. It always seemed to me that floros gave me tighter nodes.


Also i thought hps made them stretch not get tighter nodes.

 

I think you read wrong... HPS will never give you better inter-nodal spacing. NEVER! MH and CMH will own HPS in that area. For veg, either MH, T5 or LED. Me personally, either T5 HOs or ~6500k LEDs. Fuck HID lighting for VEG, way way way way way way overrated. Mark my words, go a head time and date stamp that shit LMAO, in 10-20 years everyone will be laughing at HID growers period. That is unless HID lightening has some huge breakthrough.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I think the ho t5s sounds like a winner winner chicken dinner overall. Time to go make the purchase.. Any one recommend a good place online to buy em?


I would support my local grow store but there over priced and I just paid my mortgage lol .


P.s. My buddy's flowering out under some induction lights right now and I can tell you the results look awesome, no diff from hps from what I see except maybe a tiny bit more denser.


And .. P.s.ps. I'm currently designing a product and am just curious on how many of you guys use 5 gallon buckets for your Dwc set ups vs tote users or other Dwc containers.

 

Ochre 5 gal Lowe's buckets