sizing T5 fixtures

[DelawareJim]

Hello all;

I've decided to take the plunge and get some HO T5 fixtures like the TEK or New Wave for growing in my basement. I currently have a grow chamber I built that is 52 inches wide by 24 inches deep and has 2 shelves 26 inches apart.

I also built some 2x4 shelves about the same dimensions for growing winter greens and my ever expanding collection of orchids and houseplants. All are running on T12 shop lights.

I see most people seem to be going with 4-tube fixtures while some people like Ross are going with either 4-tube or 8-tube fixtures. I'm thinking of going with 6-tube fixtures as a compromise.

Knowing for the most part the fixture size depends on available space (11, 15, or 19 inches wide), 8-tube fixtures would fit, but I'm concerned about leaf burn and of course cost. But on the flip side, I don't want to save some money now by getting the 6's and wish I'd gotten the 8's later, or find out I overspent and the 4's would work just fine.

Any advice from those who have been running these for a while would be appreciated.

Cheers.
Jim