T5 grow lights provide an excellent method of indoor cannabis cultivation. Their efficiency, affordability, and versatility make them a great choice for both personal and commercial cultivation. When choosing T5 grow lights, it’s essential to consider factors such as wattage, size, and spectrum to harness the full potential of these lights. Proper care and setup can make a world of difference for better growth results.
IPOWER T5 Grow Light
It is important to consider which stage of growth your light is best suited for, and the IPOWER T5 grow light works best for germinating and cloning phases.
Despite the small size, this grow light works by using a high-efficiency aluminum reflector and energy-efficient, high-output bulbs to produce double the energy of normal fluorescent systems.
The fixture itself is lightweight, and the stand is stable and easy to assemble, which makes it a great option for beginners who are new to T5 grow lights. The light produces little to no noise and doesn’t get too hot.
Pros
- Lightweight and sturdy light stand that’s easy to put together
- Perfect setup your germinating and cloning needs
- Easily adjustable ratchet system
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Not meant for vegetative and flowering stages of growth
- The overall coating on the body isn’t high quality and rusts over time
Hydrofarm Agrobrite T5 Grow Light
If you are looking for a combination of a budget-friendly grow light that offers you all of the features you need, the Hydrofarm Agrobrite T5 Grow Light might be the option for you.
With a 5-year warranty, and certified by the ETL, you can expect quality with this grow light. It uses high performance faceted specular aluminum for the best possible light distribution, and emits up to 40,000 lumens.
Its powder-coated, steel housing makes it a durable piece of equipment too, and it is large enough to cover a 4’x4’ or a 5’5 space with ease. This size means it allows around 2-12.
It is worth noting that the bulbs do not last particularly long, and usually work for around 1-2 growing cycles. This is worth thinking about in terms of purchasing a long-lasting grow light, although it does come with four replaceable bulbs.
Pros
- Incredibly affordable price for a well-rounded system
- Certified by ETL and has a 5-year warranty
- Extremely cool running, and can be placed directly above the canopy
- Allows 2-12 bulbs to cover every phase of growth
- Large enough to cover a 4’x4’ or 5’x5’ space easily
Cons
- The lifespan of bulbs are relatively short (1-2 growing cycles)
Active Grow T5 Grow Light
For an LED T5 system, the Active Grow T5 Grow Light provides you with exceptionally good value for money. Featuring premium electronic ballasts and over 15 higher CRI than other grow lamps.
Using advanced LED technology, this grow light can also decrease your electricity costs. It includes lower power consumption, and double the PPF efficiency than many other LED lights.
Unique to many of its competitors, the grow light also comes with dual on/off switches, so you can have 2 lamps running, or all 4 lamps running at once.
The bulbs’ life expectancy, however, is a standout feature of this grow light, as it is a lot longer than many of the other lights we’ve seen. It is around 30,000 hours, so you don’t have to worry about the bulbs dying when you need them most.
Placing this fixture directly above a canopy is also no issue, as the grow light emits very minimal heat. The grow light can also be easily hung overhead using the hanging cables on either end.
Pros
- Utilizes LED technology to increase your savings on electricity costs
- Bright light for an LED T5 system
- Longest life expectancy that we’ve seen in bulbs
- Give minimal to zero amount of heat, making it perfect for placing directly above the canopy
Cons
- None
Durolux T5 Grow Light
The Durolux T5 grow light has a high light output, meaning it would work well at any stage of growth. It emits 20,000 lumens and claims to give 30% more light output against other grow light systems.
For extra light coverage, this grow light from Durolux also comes with a 95% built-in reflectivity German Hammer-tone reflector, so your plants are guaranteed to absorb more light than if no reflector were included.
You can also easily adjust the light settings on this grow light, as it features two dimming switches – one for the 2 bulbs inside, and one for the 2 outside bulbs.
Despite its high-power output, this grow light is one of the more budget-friendly options available on the market. If you need to hide your order for whatever reason, then this grow light also has the option to be delivered in discreet packaging for your peace of mind.
A significant issue, however, with this product is that the bulbs do not last particularly long. This can be a time-consuming inconvenience and will require you to change your bulbs more often.
Pros
- One of the most affordable T5 grow-light system on the market
- A high output of light that’s perfect for every stage of growth
- Comes with two dimming switches
- Discrete shipping option for those that require it
- Extended reflectors are built-in for additional light coverage
Cons
- 240V industrial input only. All homes in the United States are 120V
- The short lifespan of bulbs is due to the high power output
Hydroplanet T5 Grow Light
The Hydroplanet T5 Grow Light setup process is extremely straightforward and uses a plug-and-play system to get you started as quickly as possible.
It includes 8 x 6500K grow bulbs, and the fixture itself is able to be operated in a variety of ways. You can also rest assured that this grow light doesn’t run hot.
One notable issue that may be difficult to overlook, however, is the weight of this grow light. Weighing 32lbs, it is one of the heavier light fixtures we have reviewed, and you may find it to be an inconvenience in your grow room.
Pros
- Streamlined setup with a plug-and-play system
- Multiple configurations allow you to customize bulb-count for all stages of growth
- Doesn’t run hot and can be placed very close to the canopy
Cons
- At 32 pounds, this is one of the heaviest fixtures reviewed
- The bulb intensity isn’t consistent with those that are considered high output
OppoLite T5 Grow Light
A non-HO (high output) grow light, the OppoLite T5 Grow Light surprisingly delivers on the power output front. It includes 4 fluorescent tubes, each at 6500K, with the wattage at 24W per lamp.
The grow light also comes with on and off switches, so you can control the number of light tubes you want one at a time. This gives you more flexibility over your plant growth, so you can adjust the light output as needed.
Due to the strong light output, the amount of heat produced by this fixture is more so than that of its competitors. It therefore, may not be the best option to place near to a canopy.
Pros
- Professionally packaged and rapid shipment
- Intense power output for a non-HO T5 system
- Great for the flowering cycle of one large plant or multiple smaller plants
Cons
- The weight within the system is not distributed evenly
- The intense output of light gives off more heat than competing T5’s
- It’s limited to only one power switch rather than two, thus limiting dimming options
VIVOSUN T5 Grow Light
Suitable for all stages of plant growth, the Vivosun T5 grow light is a versatile and budget-friendly choice for a T5 grow light. Despite working well for all phases of development, this light gives of minimal heat radiation, making it an energy-efficient option and a safe one to place near to a canopy.
It is a high output system, and comes with 6500K fluorescent bulbs. In addition to this, the light features a 95% highly reflective aluminium reflector, to enable the plants to get as much light as possible.
You can also adjust the brightness as needed, by using one of the two switches that are included with this fixture.
One issue that could be a concern is the packaging, which some customers have had problems with. The lamps are more prone to breaking during transit, due to the overall packaging not being sufficient.
However, it is also worth noting here that Vivosun’s customer service is great, so should you unfortunately have any issues like this, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact them.
Pros
- Extremely affordable T5 high output system
- Perfect for all stages of growth with minimal heat radiation
- Comes with two switches to optimally dim according to your needs
- Completely silent and well built
- Vivosun’s customer service is excellent
Cons
- Packaging issues due to broken lamps during transit
Yield Lab T5 Grow Light
Described as a ‘complete DIY set,’ this grow light from Yield Lab comes with all of the essentials you need to maximize your clone and seedling cycle. The light fixture comes with 1 T5 fluorescent grow light reflector, 8 bulbs.
The reflective aluminum included in the Yield Lab T5 grow light works efficiently to utilize every inch of light, so your plants will be able to absorb as much light as possible.
The lack of heat coming from this grow light makes it most suited to the earlier stages of growth, and works well with seedlings and clones.
Pros
- Incredibly reflective aluminium that increases overall light
- Comes with a sturdy light stand that’s perfect for seeds and clones
- Negligible heat output, making this T5 perfect for the early stages of growth
- A complete and ready to use all-in-one grow system
Cons
- Can only be used for earlier stages of growth and not as flexible as larger T5’s
- Awkward placement of the cord lock on the light stand that makes it difficult to adjust
- The light output of a 2’ T5 isn’t as optimal as a 4’-8’ T5
What are T5 Grow Lights?
T5 grow lights are fluorescent lamps that are one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways for indoor cannabis cultivation. These lights have been used for indoor growing for years and have been widely embraced by most cannabis growers around the world.
T5 grow lights can come in either single, double, or even quadruple bulbs. Each T5 bulb has a diameter of ⅝ inches, unlike their T8 or T12 fluorescent counterparts, which have a diameter of 1 inch. T5 fluorescent lamps are much better for growth because they emit plenty of light and are suitable for the vegetative stage of cannabis growth.
Benefits of T5 Grow Lights
There are several benefits of using T5 grow lights for cannabis cultivation instead of high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps like High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) or Metal Halide (MH).
One of the most significant advantages is that T5 grow lights are much cooler than HID bulbs such as HPS and MH, making them more versatile and cost-effective. Heat reduction is especially vital for indoor cultivation, as heat output can affect both the plant’s growth rate and the surrounding environment.
Another advantage of T5 grow lights is their high efficiency, which translates to lower electricity bills. T5 bulbs can use up to 75% less electricity than HID bulbs. While the initial cost of T5 bulbs is higher, the energy savings are passed on to the user over time.
T5 bulbs are also known to provide better light spectrums for plant growth and photosynthesis. They emit light in the blue spectrum of 6400 Kelvin and 6500 Kelvin, which is the optimal range for vegetative growth. The blue spectrum helps keep the stems and leaves shorter, provides more even canopy growth, and avoids the stretching seen in plants cultivated with HPS lights.
Choosing the Right T5 Grow Lights
When looking for T5 grow lights for cannabis cultivation, there are various factors to consider. Some of these considerations include wattage, size, and spectrum.
Wattage
Wattage is the measure of electrical power needed to operate T5 bulbs. Higher wattage means more power consumed, leading to increased energy bills. It’s important to note that more wattage doesn’t always translate to more light output. The most popular wattage for T5 grow lights is between 24 and 54 watts.
Size
Another essential factor to consider is the size of T5 grow lights. Smaller bulbs can be used to light up smaller areas, which is great for personal use or for home cultivation. Larger bulbs are best suited for commercial setups because they can provide better light dispersion for larger rooms.
Spectrum
T5 grow lights provide either dual spectrum (red and blue), or tri-spectrum (blue, red, and daylight) bulbs. The dual spectrum is ideal for the vegetative stage, while the tri-spectrum is ideal for both the vegetative and flowering stage of indoor cannabis cultivation.
Other Relevant Factors to Consider:
1. Reflective Surfaces
Light reflection is a critical factor for indoor cultivation. Reflective surfaces such as Mylar or white walls help increase light intensity and contribute to better plant growth.
2. Cooling Systems
T5 grow lights produce less heat than HID lights, but it’s still essential to provide adequate cooling. Cooling fans, exhaust fans, or ventilation systems can help regulate temperature and humidity levels.
3. Proper Distance
Keeping the light at the right distance is crucial for good growth. T5 bulbs should be placed about 2 to 6 inches above the canopy for optimal lighting.
Recap
T5 grow lights are an ideal choice for growing cannabis. They are energy-efficient, produce less heat, have a broad light spectrum, and are cost-effective. These features make them a practical choice for indoor cannabis cultivation. Growers who want to maximize their yields and produce high-quality buds should consider using T5 grow lights. Remember, choosing the right grow lights is critical to the success of indoor cannabis cultivation.
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