Help me choose a light

[naoki]

Can't you put T5HO in one side of 8-foot table, and then use your current T12 (maybe 4-6 bulbs) on the other side? You'll get more total light than using spiral CFL bulbs at the ends. Even with 4 feet 4bulb T5HO, you'll need to place them fairly close to the plants (1-2 feet instead of 4+feet as you illustrated in your original post).

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by naoki

Can't you put T5HO in one side of 8-foot table, and then use your current T12 (maybe 4-6 bulbs) on the other side? You'll get more total light than using spiral CFL bulbs at the ends. Even with 4 feet 4bulb T5HO, you'll need to place them fairly close to the plants (1-2 feet instead of 4+feet as you illustrated in your original post).

yeah the drawing i made doesnt really apply anymoer. haha

because the t12s are inefficient, the bulbs go out all the time, and they are too bulky and annoying

[billc]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

yeah the drawing i made doesnt really apply anymoer. haha

because the t12s are inefficient, the bulbs go out all the time, and they are too bulky and annoying

T12's can bloom phals and paphs. You do have to move them when they spike.
Bulbs going out all the time doesn't sound right. Are you getting them wet?
T12's are about the same size/ bulk as T5HO, although the T5HO gives a heck of a lot more light.

Bill

[Magnus A]

Originally Posted by billc

T12's are about the same size/ bulk as T5HO, although the T5HO gives a heck of a lot more light.

Bill

Bill, I think you need to check the specifications on T12 compared to T5! T5 are way more compact and give much more light. You can also mount the T5 much closer as they are slender which make the reflectors much smaller in dimension.

/M

[billc]

The bulbs are certainly smaller(diameter wise) and the light given is a lot stronger with the T5's. I have a 4 foot 4 light T5 and it really doesn't take up any less room than the 2 2 bulb T12's mounted side by side that it replaced. I'm just saying on an 8 foot table, Naoki is right that he could still use the existing T12's next to the new T5.

Bill