Bulb Combo for T5 Lights
 

I recently replaced my T5 lights with new bulbs but am not getting the same light output as before. Two bulbs I know for sure are the day time 6400K 54W. The other two are warm T5s, but they are not clearly marked and I think I tossed the receipt. I was wondering what other people use. I've heard mixed feelings of just using straight day time bulbs versus using a combination of these and warm ones. What are your thoughts?

I have sunblaster T5's and use only the 6400K 54W sunblaster bulbs. They work well for me and I get good growth and flowering.

What brand are they? There is a lot of cheaply made junk floating around these days.

I am replacing mine and wonder what are good brands. There are huge differences in prices between one company and another.

I went to my local mari... err ... hydroponics store and they sold me Plantmax brand 54 watt T5 HOs for about $13 apiece. I haven't installed them yet but I figure that the hydroponics growers are particular about the products that they use for their high value crops. Hydroponics stores are also good places to get Hydroton and large bags of Perlite.

I think one set is Phillips, but I can't remember. I'll have to check when I'm back home.

I really like the GE Starcoat bulbs, but have also had great success with the cheap Hydrofarm bulbs.


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Agrobrite for the day bulbs and Phillips for the warm bulbs. Ray, did you use a combo or just straight day time bulbs? And does anyone know where to get Sunblaster bulbs?

I have been using Sunblaster brand for a few years now and most of my plants have bloomed under. The go for less than ten bucks a bulb and around $35 with the ballast
I use 3 day light (6400k) and 1 warm (can't remember the K) but I used to have only 6400k and blooms were the same

For Sunblasters, do you have to use their ballast or can you use any T5 ballast?