Are all T5 bulbs high output?
 

Well I think the title of this thread pretty much sums it up for my question....are all T5 bulbs high out put bulbs or are they only HO if the bulb specifies?

little thread, little answer:

No!

:)

Becca, I do not knwo the codes in teh USA, but I assume that if you ask at the right section in the home depot, they can tell which code denotes the HO tubes in teh USA...

Home Depot saddly doesn't carry T5 bulbs for purchase! The reason I ask is that on one website I find a GE bulb that is listed as HO is more expensive then on another website what appears to be the same bulb, not HO listed, and much cheaper, but the specifications look exactly the same for the bulb!
Also...has anyone tried or know of the quality of AgroMax bulbs? The appear to have the same specifications as the major brand T5 high output bulbs and are much cheaper...like I can get them for about $4.50 per bulb versus a GE bulb of $9.99 or $15.99 per bulb of the same specifications! To many decisions!

Becca, I do not know about AgrMax, but as for the T5, if they have the same code and specifications, they should be the same.

Sorry I missed this one, I agree with Ramon, NOT! High output t5s are special tubes and demand a special ballast. They are typically labelled as such and the ballast will handle them. There are lower output t5's (in case others are interested and these are the one's sometimes handled by Home Depot). These can be run in lower wattage ballasts.

Thank you both of you for the help! Here is the link to what I am looking at. I need 8 bulbs total, 4 2ft 6400K and 4 2ft 3000K bulbs. I spoke to the company and the CRI# is 85. They said the reason they are so cheap compared to other bulbs is because they literally purchase them by the semi-trailer load so they can offer them at low prices. At 17.90 for each 4 pack of bulbs I really can't beat that price since they have the same specifications as the major brand bulbs. The only thing I forgot to ask was the bulb life.

Here is the link to the bulb page:High Tech Garden Supply

You can determine that with a good light meter. Take a reading of foot-candles with new bulbs then read later after , say a year and see what it produces.

Did I mention that I don't trust my light meter? Oh yeah....I don't trust my light meter and I never really use it....but it would work for the purpose of measuring foot candles of a new bulb and later throughout the year.

Ross, is that true in the USA? to be honest, I admit a bit my ignorance here, and do not know which ballast Technology is used there or here in Switzerland (don't want to say Europe, as Switzerland has shown to be a "especial case"). But the lamps I have can handle both LO and HO tubes, using only one (electronic) ballast.