T5 lights for seed starting

10 years ago

A farmer's market veggie grower recommened growing seeds under T5 lights. Does anyone have any thoughts on T5s vs. other lights?

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Comments (4)

mandolls
10 years ago
From everything I have read - t-5's are the best. However they are also expensive and if all you are doing is starting seedlings to plant out - probably more money than they are worth. Most people on this forum use inexpensive standard fluorescent shop lights that cost between 10 and 20 bucks a piece.
digdirt2
10 years ago
Agree that they are better but they aren't enough better than T8 IMO to justify the higher cost just for seed starting. I'll wait until the fixtures and bulbs are more reasonably priced to upgrade to them.

We all got along just fine for decades with the old T12s but as they are being phased out the T8s are the logical choice.

We have several discussions running here about them vs. T8s just a bit further down the page.

Dave
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I do it because I get unusual plants/exotic colors only catalog seeds can give me. I do it because I like doing it. Yes, you can get earlier bloom with some plants. With others (like cosmos and zinnia) I find they do best planted directly outside. You learn from experience. Lately (after doing it for 30 years) it's become a bit of a chore so I stopped doing seeds that need to be started before March 1st and buy those plants in the nursery. I use an 8 tray light setup with two shop lights next to each other on each level, each light with one ordinary 40 watt tube and one full spectrum tube. Keep a list of when each plant needs to be started (by weeks before last frost), keep the lights no more than an inch from the plants, and always have a fan or slightly open window in the plant room to prevent fungus. Try to water from the bottom and without soaking the top of the soil. Have as much fun with this and go nuts obsessing over whatever you feel comfortable with. Rewmember, it's for pleasure!
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chinamon, check this out. You can build this light for $70 for 4 bulbs or $45 for 2 bulbs. Two bulbs should be sufficient for starting seedlings and would produce 2,700 lumens. Everything is at Home Depot. The parts list include: -(2) 2'- 2 light fixtures w/ light bulbs ($25 each = $50) -(1) 2' piece of metal air ducting(reflector)$3.50 -(1) 1'x1'x1/2" piece of plywood cut in semi circles for sides.$5 - Duct tape to attach the sides to the ducting.$3.00 -(4) #10- 3/4" bolt screws to bolt lights to the ducting.$1.00 -(1) 6ft.-14 gauge grounded power cord.(hook both lights to the cord with wire nuts,(included with lights).$6.00 * You'll need a drill, 1/2" and 1/8" drill bits and a jig saw to cut the sides. Hope this helps. file:///F:file:///F:/DCIM/101MSDCF/DSC00751.JPG/DCIM/101MSDCF/DSC00750.JPG
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Yes, it is interesting. Because most physics teachers would tell you that the more heat an appliance or motor or whatever gives off, the less efficient it is at what it is designed for (unless it is a heater of course). But I have no experience with T5's so I don't know how hot they get. I do know that very little heat is given off by T12's and I have been told that T5's are more efficient than T12's so I had expected them to give off less heat. However, the fact that they are so much smaller might make it seem they are hotter while they still give off less heat overall. Bruce
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CanadianLori, the "T" is the "size" of the bulb. The "K" indicates the peak wavelengh/frequency (color) of light. All fluorescent bulb packaging that I've seen gives some information about color. If there's not a numeric rating, there should at least be something like "Warm/Soft White" (2700K-3500K), "Natural/Cool White" (4100K-5000K), or "Bright White/Daylight" (6500K). Different manufacturers use different terminology, but, if the Kelvin rating is not given, these light color terms will at least give you an idea.
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timomac
10 years ago
I've tried both and much prefer the T5's. I stress prefer purposely because I was able to start seedlings with the T8's. But, no surprise to some, I think the T5's are more effective.

Think extra light in the same space for less power. No leggy seedlings, no need to keep the fixture directly on top of of the plants. More air movement due to more space under the lights. Less stress on the plants - think better light penetration to the lower leaves of taller plants - no phototropism due to insufficient light.

One warning - the t5's get hot. You in fact can't keep the light right on top of the plants. Do so and you will cook yer babies.

Now, I started seedlings for years with a dual T8 fixture. The seedlings were usually leggy - despite having the light low and a fan on the side blowing over the flat. Unless I got them outside under stronger light after the second or third sets of leaves, they were inevitably tall and thin. I live in the Chicago suburbs. Getting them out early is not usually an option.

So, it made sense for me to get the stronger lights. Pricey, but I'm happy with them.
Nadaddyo
10 years ago
I start just planted under t8s , once I get the first true set of leaves I move them under t5s. To me the comparison is night and day.

last year I was able to grow tomatoes with fruit under the t5 set up, no way this could be done with t8s, that being said for many years I have used a stoplight and fan and gotten adequate seedlings.

For me the I have already gotten the value out of my t5s by growing through the winter , but if I only wanted seedling I would stick with a t8s.

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Comments (4)

mandolls

digdirt2

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timomac

Nadaddyo

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