Old Reviews Is my t5 enough?

[AndyBotwin]

Put me in a slight predicament :S i think you have a point though Bob, I'll be doing full blue spectrum in veg, then blue and red when it shows sex then fully red in flowering, it seems more appropriate for the plant than having a veg light in there 20-4/7, everyone's advice is welcome, different opinions make true perfection

Just to be clear, I did not recommend using only blue T5 and I only grew that way because it was what I had at the time (and to see what would happen). Just saying that it can be done.

 

[SmokeJunior]

That's the exact position I'm in at the moment Andy and I appreciate your knowledge as I would any other experienced grower, it's good to know that I can grow with what I have and any other advice on lighting will be handy for when I have a steadier income. keep it green

 

[Epic Genetics]

Everyone is welcome to their opinion, that's for sure. I am only commenting on what I personally have grown and documented here on AFN as well as watching many other more experienced T5 growers on the site. I don't claim that my way is best & I'm always trying new things to improve. I will say that my grows with all blue looked nothing like hay and had great buds, but I'll leave it at that.

let me say , when i mentioned blue spectrum , that also included MH bulbs , not pointing fingers at flourescents , i actually know someone who veg's and flowers under a 1000 watt MH , he always brags about his plants , in my mind i say "omg that looks like shit , my shake/trimmings look better" , but i never say it cause i dont wanna hurt his feelings , it doesnt help that he only grows pure sativa photo plants , they always look bad lol

ive got a veg/mother/auto room that is 100% cfl and t5's , it produces great , it is however a mixed spectrum

peace

 

[SmokeJunior]

Good to know Bob

 

[AndyBotwin]

Yeah b0b, from what I've seen there is definitely a difference between flouro and HID lighting when it comes to switching spectrums. HID methods are much more cut and dried (pardon the pun) than fluorescent lighting it seems. One great benefit of running mixed spectrum full time is that I can run fully flowering plants side by side with seedlings and know that they'll all be fine.

SmokeJunior, I think the bottom line is to get as much light onto your plants as you can. Two 24s aren't going to give you very good results with two plants, no matter what spectrum you run. Getting more wattage on those girls as soon as you can will help out tremendously.

 

[SmokeJunior]

I'm stuck with my t5 till my next grow unfortunately, would a 24/7 light cycle be better for them with the lack of wattage? Or maybe having the light very close to them would help? Obviously not enough that it burns them

 

[AndyBotwin]

I'm stuck with my t5 till my next grow unfortunately, would a 24/7 light cycle be better for them with the lack of wattage? Or maybe having the light very close to them would help? Obviously not enough that it burns them

Sure, why not. 24/0 or even 20/4 would get as much light out of the fixture as you can. And you can get a T5 right up within an inch or two of a plant without burning it. I get them really close once the plant is past the seedling stage and can handle the light without stressing it. Having a fan blowing between the light and the top of the plants will reduce heat and allow you to keep the lights close. Just keep in mind that while they're vegging they can grow up into the lights pretty quick, so you need to keep close tabs on them.

 

[SmokeJunior]

I'm on 20/4 at the moment just wondering if having no dark period diminishes the plant in any way? Thank you for the light height info as mine is at least 2 foot away from the plants themselves :S so I'll be lowering that straight away, I check them everyday also so there's no worry in the checking up

 

[keepitmedicated]

Like I said suppliment that light with some CFL's then you will be alright. My light setup is two bathroom light vanity sets 4 socket. LightBulb Splitters in each to double bulbage to 16 total cfl's during max flower time. Mounted both of those to a peice of plywood to be able to raise when needed. I just add more bulbs as I progress along. At the moment I have 10 plants in 1.5 gal pots flowering right now 2 still in solo cups for shits and grins to see what happens to them. Suprisingly enough they are all flowering verywell. 8 clones and 2 seed started plants. I use one blue spectrum (6500k)to every 2 red (2700k). I also use 2 4500k bulbs in the center of them all throughout the whole grow. Now I have been growing with CFL's for over 2 yrs now and got it dialed in pretty good. Gives me more than enough meds for myself and my father in law who has MS and needs it to get on easier. The most I have gotten off of one plant was a Texada Timewarp x Northern Lights -peakseedsbc- 34 grams dry, 21 inches tall in a 3 gal pot. I got 6 of them in 1.5 gal pots now that were clones off of said plant cant wait. 2 weeks into flower. So remeber Side lighting will help you very much. I also just read a Hightimes and they showcased a perfect set up for you with t5's Just a couple and he produced more than enough pot for himself and a friend. Ill look for the issue. Its in the bathroom and then post the technical stuff that he does. SHould help that is exactly what you need to read. Post it sometime tonight. K.I.M.

 

[keepitmedicated]

I always go 18/6. They get some sleep like in nature. Replicate nature as much as you can.