T5 distance during vegetation

[susieqtpie83]

Wondering what is a good min and max distance during veg state with T5 lights. I dont want light/heat burn and want to know what everyone else has been doing. Currently the light is 28in from top of plant. At what point do you measure from? Tyvm. The lights were lower but have been trying to bounce back from a newly identified nute deficiency.

[Tersky]

It depends on the wattage but florescents can be fairly close. https://www.growweedeasy.com/how-far...istance-plants I would start at EDIT: 2-3 inches and do the hand test. Measure from top of canopy to lights. That means your tallest bud. This is why plant training is important with cfl's and t5's. Check out this https://www.growweedeasy.com/t5-grow-lights-cannabis

[uncledoug]

I use T5's for the first 4 to 5 weeks, I keep mine at 2 or 3" above the plant. Any higher they stretch for the light.

[Ell]

same.,

[SoOrbudgal]

Yep what uncledoug said keep them within 2-3"

[Eliot Pryor]

I run just like uncledoug . T3's are great for veg.

[Farmall]

susieqtpie83 are you planning on using the t-5’s for your entire grow?

[susieqtpie83]

Farmall no I still need to get lights for flowering. The girls are still in veg. What kind of lights do I get for flowering? I was told red LED lights, but I'm really not trusting my source. TIA

[Farmall]

susieqtpie83 . That question I’ll repeat it to you as I hear it.... what came first, the chicken or the egg? You will have many many many opinions on this topic of lighting. The options are vast and vastly different.

the size of your grow area will dictate some of the needs for lighting based on area coverage

if you’re looking to economize and experiment with a few plants and you won’t mind getting by and changing them should your “ career” develop into a bigger need for plants, then you can look into the “blurple” leds on Amazon. These are the ones you see that cast a purple haze in a photograph when folks show their grows. You can go inexpensively or jump into some that will cost several hundred. These do not generate a tone of heat in the tent.

you can decide on lower power HPS around 250w but all depends on your tent or grow space size and whether or not you will need to vent the heat away using an exhaust . They go as high as 1000watt and throw a bit of heat and really need vented hoods in smaller areas

you can also look into CMH / LEC systems that run 315Watts and they come as 630 watt as well for bigger area coverage

Finally there are full spectrum LED lights that appear bright white when you power them up but they can run between $500 to 1500.

everyone has some preferences why they choose the types that they do. I suggest for tonight’s homework: https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-grow-lights

[Eliot Pryor]

My own experience on flowering lights is limited to small closet and tent grows. I have one cabinet where I use red leds and one tent where I run a blurple. I think the red is better but my reason for preferring it is because it uses 3 watt chips and can be closer to the canopy without burning.

[Tersky]

susieqtpie83 It really depends how much you want to invest in it. If you are serious, then getting a horticultural lighting setup is recommended. Maybe not the highest end, but something designed for growing. For example, i have a 250w MH/HPS that fits in my 2x2 space. You can grow completely with just CFL's or T5's, you just have to make sure there is enough light for flower. LED's are hit or miss, and many of the ones you see on amazon aren't even safety certified (HTL) so be careful if you go that road. I recommend doing a bunch of research to find what works best for you. Light color has marginal impact on bud growth. https://www.growweedeasy.com/color-s...ana-grow-light What is more important is how much light is being put out, whether it is measured in lumens or PAR. The higher watt the more light typically. light There is a lot of info on this site that i would read over and if you have any questions we are here to share our experience!