looking for bulbs
 

i recently put together a grow rack and in the grow rack i installed 4, 3 foot double bulb t5 fixtures from home depot and they came with lightbulbs, the problem being is that the light are something in the range of 2500k. i have been scouring the internet for a site that sells 3 foot t5ho bulbs at something diffrent from 4100k. i think i would like to be in the 6500k range with the bulb color, or if i alternated between the 2000k and 6500k, half and half...

so i guess i am looking for thoughts on best places to but said lights and input on color of lights.


thanks
scott

Go with the GE 6500°K bulbs all the way. No alternating. Much better light spectrum - yeah the color rendition might be a bit better if they are mixed, but it's sort-of a waste of potential lighting intensity if you do.

So would u go with the standard 21watt over a high output 39 watt?

The problem with the high output ones is they Only sell by the case

Honestly, I didn't even know 3' T5s existed - I've only sold 2' and 4' fixtures.

Given the choice, definitely go for the HO bulbs. Watts translates to lumens, and that's what your plants care about.

SunBlaster sells 2, 3 and 4 ft fixtures that come equipped with HO bulbs that are approx 6000 or 6500k Not sure if they sell only bulbs.

We buy our bulbs for our society from an industrial lighting place and get the same type as in the SunBlaster fixtures.

apparently i have to order from canada to get the proper length and color temp i am looking for
F39T5HO/865 CRI 85

That's a switch from the usual! Hope its hassle free!

You sure your ballasts will handle the higher wattage?

Unlike incandescent fixtures, where you just change bulbs to a higher wattage, in a fluorescent fixture, the ballast determines the wattage of bulbs that can be used.