T8 vs CFL Lighting

[iiwii]

Recently I filled up my bottom shelf of plants under my 4' 4 bulb T5 light as everyone said I would. So it is time to add another shelf/light and wanted to get some opinions on here before purchasing anything. I've read through some discussions and am not going to buy another expensive T5 but instead go the cheaper route for my Phals and violets. Now looking at Home Depot and Lowes I have found a 4' 4 bulb T8 system for around $50(bulbs not included). There is not much of a reflector on the system but I figured 4 bulbs without a reflector would be better than two bulbs with a mediocre reflector. Would this T8 set-up be okay for the lower light plants or would getting a 5 bulb strip for CFL's be a better bet? Thanks for the input!

Pete

[Fishballs]

I grow 48 mini's in a 55 gallon glass tank with a two bulb 48" T8 with reflector. They all grow beautifully. The 55 gal. tank is not deep most of my plants are mounted so they are relatively close to the light and the bottom is raised. Distance is the key. If your plants are close to the light you wont need as much light. I just recently purchased a 36" double T5 from Depot. There is no reflector and I wired it to plug in but it was cheap. $29.00 for the light and $10.00 for a medium duty plug. Its quite bright. They sell a 48" double T5 but I dont know how much. The double T5 without reflector or the T8 with reflector should be fine for most of your plants.

[Ray]

Strips are usually better than CFLs, as that spiral design prevents a lot of the light from getting to the plants.

[iiwii]

So I went and got a 4' 4 bulb T8. The bulbs were the only thing I was a little hesitate of. I ended up doing a 50/50 ratio of 6500K and 3000K bulbs. Is this okay or should it be more like 3 6500K and 1 3000K? Thank you again everyone for your input!

Pete