T5 light fixtures available at Home Depot

[Auger]

Ok I went to HD to check out the T5. Mine had T5's in 2, 3, and 4 feet single and double strip light models. The 2' = 14 watts (1275 lumens), 3' = 21 watts (2000 lumens )and 4' = 28 watts (2750 lumens). So the double strip light model will be double the watts. I've been thinking of buying more lights, so I'm going to list my observations.

The 4' T5 Double Strip light - 56 watts (28 watts each) = 5500 lumens (2750 per bulb). Cost = $35. Replacement Bulb cost = $8 (HD)

A single 4' T5 HO strip light - 54 watts = 5100 lumens. Cost $34-$38. Replacement Bulb cost = $14

Sunleaves Saturn IV (4' 4bulb T8 fixture) - 128 watts = 11200 lumens. Cost $30 no bulbs. Bulb costs for 4 = $14-$16

The only kind of T5 light at my HD was at 3500K.

Now me personally I like the single T5 HO strip light because you can daisy chain 8 of them together. But the chain link is only 6" I think. And of course if you buy lights from HD you don't have to pay for shipping.

[HereticHammer]

Originally Posted by Becca

Now why can't I find T5's at my local Home Depot? I wish! But are you sure that they are 3000K to 3500K cool white bulbs? 3000K to 3500K are supposed to be warm colored bulbs.

Around here all Home Depots (and I think Lowes too) carry them. I never tried them because I guessed that they would not be much different then other standard output fixtures.

They are not the HO (high output) T5s that are sold for aquariums and plant growing. They are just a standard T5 for use in indoor lighting.

I am sure they will grow plants but like other standard fluorescents they will need to be very close to the plant for good growth and may not be able to grow high light orchids even then.

[ChasWG]

Jonny, you tell me. Are these plants getting enough light from my standard type bulbs?







I don't know about you but the reddness of those leaves indicates high light levels. And most of those were before the addition of the T5 from HD.

I'm sure you are right, the HO lights put out more punch, sure. But the cost difference is also very high. Many people here just can't pay that much for HO, high price, T5 lamps. I offered this up as an alternative.

It's not perfect, but as I am finding out, in orchid growing in the home, it never is perfect. In fact I'm actually more happy with the standard 100 watt, 6500K CFL that are supplying most of the light. I also have two T8 grow lamps in addition to the total of 6 CFLs and the new T5.

Also, my plants are not that close to the fixtures. In most cases the plants are at least 8 inches from them, some more. The biggest problem I have under my lights is getting distance from my fixtures. The shelves don't adjust. So I am stuck with having smaller plants in my enclosure. Again, not perfect, but the plants are not just living but thriving and growing nicely.

[HereticHammer]

Originally Posted by ChasWG

Jonny, you tell me. Are these plants getting enough light from my standard type bulbs?

I don't know about you but the reddness of those leaves indicates high light levels. And most of those were before the addition of the T5 from HD.

Yes, the first two show that the plants are getting plenty of light BUT look how many watts you have on them! 600 watts of CFL and then some T8s. That is a LOT of wattage. I get the same effect from PowerCompacts (PCs) that are only four bulbs at 65 watts each.

Today, I will be hooking up a new four bulb High Output T5 system that is only 54 watts per bulb but has higher ratings than my current PC set up.

In the long run my system will more than pay for its $190 price tag because the bulbs are around $14 instead of the $35 I was paying for the PC bulbs and the total wattage will only be 216 watts so I will save on power.

My only reason for posting originally was to clear up any confusion folks might have between HO T5s and standard T5s. I did not want people to rush out and buy the T5s at the local store and then wonder why they were not performing as other T5 systems are here at the board which are actually HO T5s.

Truth is that those with HO T5s need to call them that to avoid confusion since just saying "T5" really rightly refers to standard T5s.

I will try to remember to do that as I post about lighting.

[ChasWG]

Point taken. Not all T5's are created equally.

One thing I wanted to clear up, I have almost 750 "equivalent" watts of light on my plants in this enclosure. The 100 watt CFLs are really only drawing 46 actual watts. So it's not fair to say I am drawing more power.

And I think you are correct, people should state either HO T5 or standard T5.

Good luck with your project. Make sure you post pictures!

[HereticHammer]

Originally Posted by ChasWG

Point taken. Not all T5's are created equally.

One thing I wanted to clear up, I have almost 750 "equivalent" watts of light on my plants in this enclosure. The 100 watt CFLs are really only drawing 46 actual watts. So it's not fair to say I am drawing more power.

And I think you are correct, people should state either HO T5 or standard T5.

Good luck with your project. Make sure you post pictures!

Oh, you were going buy the equivalent watts. Ok, now I understand. Sorry, I probably should have thought about that.

I have never used CFLs to grow plants. I used to have them as lights until just recently when I switched to LEDs. I have also heard of folks adding them in addition to other lighting to round out lights like they used to do with incandescent lights.

I do have one orchid that is doing horrible in the orchidarium and I have thought about setting it out with its own light. Maybe I will try a CFL.

[jkhom]

I saw the fixtures in their ad. The t-5 fixtures at HD are not high output. If you get these you might want to plan your lighting needs accordingly.

[ChasWG]

But it also has to do with how long the lights are on. Remember, the sun rises in the morning and the peak light levels are only there for about 3 hours and then it starts to set and the light levels drop. Growing these plants under lights is rather different. The timer goes on and Whamo! instant light. And within minutes the light levels are at they're peak. And for how long, 8, 10, 14 hours? That duration has an equalising effect. So maybe the lamps are only putting out 1000 FC at 6" distance, but the lamps are on for 12 hours. All these things need to be taken into consideration.

[calvin_orchidL]

Originally Posted by ChasWG

But it also has to do with how long the lights are on. Remember, the sun rises in the morning and the peak light levels are only there for about 3 hours and then it starts to set and the light levels drop. Growing these plants under lights is rather different. The timer goes on and Whamo! instant light. And within minutes the light levels are at they're peak. And for how long, 8, 10, 14 hours? That duration has an equalising effect. So maybe the lamps are only putting out 1000 FC at 6" distance, but the lamps are on for 12 hours. All these things need to be taken into consideration.

Very true. What wattage are these T5s
I believe any T5 that is 54 watts is 'HO' and anything else is not...I think this entire HO/NO nomenclature is confusing and pointless.

I was surprised how well T8s were doing for me, even though I do keep my high light plants under a bank of T5s

[Auger]

Originally Posted by Auger

The 4' T5 Double Strip light - 56 watts (28 watts each) = 5500 lumens (2750 per bulb). Cost = $35. Replacement Bulb cost = $8 (HD)

A single 4' T5 HO strip light - 54 watts = 5100 lumens. Cost $34-$38. Replacement Bulb cost = $14

Sunleaves Saturn IV (4' 4bulb T8 fixture) - 128 watts = 11200 lumens. Cost $30 no bulbs. Bulb costs for 4 = $14-$16

Whoops, maybe I should have been a little more clearer. The only T5 lights HD has are the regular 28 watts. The T5 HO strip light and the Sunleaves Saturn your going to have to go to a hydroponics store. I got the pricing for the two items from Worms Way.