cfl or floro tube?

[darker118]

Alright, i've done some searching but can't find a definite answer. Is there any difference as far as efficiency goes between floro tubes and cfls? I can get more watts for less money by buying cfls, but would it be worth it to pick up one or two tubes as well?

Thanks in advanced

[psionblue]

Both types do not penetrate well. So the better question is what is more important, flexability or efficiency? The t5's are more efficient, but the cfl's can be placed anywhere. Maybe both is your best bet? My veg box has 8-26W and 2-42W CFLs and so far so good. You don't need so much for starting the plants off though. I only had 2-26W for the seedlings.

When I was planning out my costs, CFLs were cheaper than tubes (if you include the sockets).

Good Luck!

[Swa_Swa]

I did both check out my grow.

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by darker118

Alright, i've done some searching but can't find a definite answer. Is there any difference as far as efficiency goes between floro tubes and cfls? I can get more watts for less money by buying cfls, but would it be worth it to pick up one or two tubes as well?

Thanks in advanced

I used CFL's during the vegetative phase then switched completely to tubes for flowering. My plan was to use both CFL's and tubes and adding more CFLs as the needs of the plants increased, but what I found is that the CLF's burn the plants when they get too close and I was always adjusting them to keep them close but not too close. The tubes, on the other hand, the plants can grow around, touch or whatever without any harm.

The other issue I had trying to use lots of CFL's was trying to get them all to work off of one timer. Up to the limits of one power strip is easy, but after that you start to juggle multiple timers, or plugging power strips into other power strips, which just seems like a fire hazard I didn't want to mess with.

I am not using T5 grow lights, instead I got three T12 fixtures from Lowes, each uses 2 40 watt bulbs for a total of 240 watts on my 3 plants. At less than ten bucks a fixture (and another 6 or 7 bucks for the lights) it's a very economical alternative, and the plants seem to be doing great.

[eyec0n]

I will most likely end up using both in my current grow. I just moved the entire thing into my closet so I have room to fit a couple 24" tubes plus the cfl's. At walmart a 24" is around $10-15 for GE fixure/light combo's.

If I were you i'd get whatever you can get your hands on, tubes or cfl's. more light = better results.

[darker118]

Thanks for the answers. One of the problems i had with my last grow was the cfls burning the plants. I think i'll hit up lowes sometime and pickup some floros for side lighting. Thanks guys!

[Headie]

personally id say tubes just cuz neither penetrate well unless they are within 1-2 inches from the plant so by using a tube ur allowing for more surface area compared to wattage to be within 1-2inches of the plants, hope this makes sense

[mike827]

I would NOT reccomend anything less than t5 high output lights (T5HO) because all others put out FAR LESS light.

ONE 54w 4' T5HO bulb outputs 5000 lumens. a comparable t12 only puts out 1200 lumens

look it up its all on google.

t5ho systems get cheaper and cheaper too.

[northernhigh]

Sorry for my ignorance - but what does t5 and t 12 etc mean?

[itchy_grower]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

The other issue I had trying to use lots of CFL's was trying to get them all to work off of one timer. Up to the limits of one power strip is easy, but after that you start to juggle multiple timers, or plugging power strips into other power strips, which just seems like a fire hazard I didn't want to mess with.

You can very easily wire them in series therefore you only need to have one plug and therefore one timer...with no powerboards...also less space =)

I attached 8 lighting fixtures to 2 backing boards (4 to each board) and wired them all together...Few years back but that was a 268w CFL grow :P