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There is a lot to consider when growing plants indoors. There’s humidity, temperature, soil, and so on – and it gets even more complicated if you’re working with hydroponics. Your growth is one of the most important factors to consider. So, which grow light should you purchase for indoor gardening? T5 ho grow lights are popular among indoor growers. Let’s find out what makes it so popular now!
What Are the Different Types of Lighting?
There are several types of grow lighting available, but they are typically classified into a few categories.
#1. Metal halide ceramic lights
This option falls under the category of high-intensity discharge and produces light when an electric current passes through metal halide gas and mercury. It is well-known for producing high-quality light that is 3-5 times more efficient than incandescent lighting. However, they take a long time to heat up, so you won’t have light right away, as opposed to options like LEDs.
#2. Lights that are incandescent
This is the traditional option, in which electricity is passed through a filament, heating it and producing light. This is the one Edison and Swan are responsible for.
You probably don’t need an incandescent to grow light if you’re reading at home. There is still some healthy debate about which lighting is best for indoor growing, but I don’t know anyone who believes incandescent lights are still a viable option. And, while LED products improve year after year, incandescent lighting is fading into obscurity.
#3. Sodium high-pressure lights
For a long time, HPS systems were the industry standard because they were less expensive, produced more red light, and had a higher intensity.
They also produce a lot of yellow light, which is why they’re so popular for street and security lighting. For many years, indoor and greenhouse growers preferred HPS lights due to their high output and broad color spectrum.
#4. LED lights for plants
LEDs are the rising stars of the growing light industry. They’re useful, energy-efficient, and getting more affordable by the year. LED lights are made of two semiconductor materials, one positively charged (protons) and the other negatively charged (holes) (electrons). When these two particles collide, they emit energy in the form of a photon. The color of the light is determined by the amount of energy released. The light is then focused and emitted in a specific direction. LEDs are well-known for producing a large amount of light, particularly full-spectrum light.
***Read more: Top 7 Best Cheap Grow Lights 2022 [Top Highly-Recommended]
#5. Grow Lights with Fluorescent Tubes
Fluorescent lighting encompasses CFLs, linear fluorescent tubes, T5 bulbs, T8 bulbs, T12 bulbs, and so on. This adaptable lighting option can be found in stores, schools, offices, and even indoor gardens. Electricity enters the fluorescent fixtures through the ballast and feeds into the metal pins on both ends of the fixture to produce light. As the electricity flows through the tube, the gasses begin to react, producing visible light to the human eye. Fluorescent lights are less expensive to buy, more compact, and more energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs. T5s are well-known for their ability to germinate seeds.
What exactly are T5 lights?
T5s are a type of fluorescent grow light that is made up of a glass tube filled with argon and mercury vapor. In this grow light system, metal electrodes are coated with an alkaline earth oxide, which emits electrons at both ends.
When a current flows between the electrodes, the gas between them ionizes and emits UV light. The tube’s interior is lined with phosphorus, a material that absorbs UV rays and fluoresces. As a result, the energy is released as visible light.
T5s and other fluorescent alternatives are typically less expensive than LEDs while also being cooler and more efficient than incandescent lamps.
***Watch video for more information about T5 Grow Light for your indoor garden
What does T5 stand for?
The letter “T” in T5 refers to the shape of the lamp. The number following the “T” usually denotes the diameter of the fluorescent tube in eighths of an inch. T5 lights, for example, have a diameter of 5/8 inch. T8 bulbs are 8/8′′ or one inch in diameter, while T12 bulbs are 12/8′′ or 1.5′′ in diameter.
The advantage of a T5 is that, despite being 40% smaller than a T8, it can produce a comparable amount of light. And they are generally thought to be more efficient. So, if you choose T5, you’ll have to buy fewer grow lights, which will save you money.
What exactly are T5 HO lamps?
“HO” is an abbreviation for “high output.” T5 HO lamps produce more light than standard T5 lamps and come in higher wattages. The diameter and length of HO lamps are the same as those of standard T5 lamps.
***Read more: Best 2×4 LED Grow Light: Top 6 Best Choices for Your Indoor Garden
Considerations when buying a grow light
There is a wide variety of light qualities available. The primary considerations for indoor growing are listed below.
– The initial cost consists of the cost of the bulb, the fixture, the setup, and the accessories.
– The amount of light produced is referred to as light output.
– Life-time cost – the total cost of purchasing and operating the bulb, as well as the bulb’s longevity and quality.
– Longevity – the length of time the bulb will last
– Energy efficiency – the amount of energy required to operate the fixture and light.
– Light received – the amount of light absorbed by the plant
– Color temperature – whether it’s blue light, red light, or anything else on the spectrum, we’re looking at which options are best for your situation.
T5 HO grow lights: The best option
# The benefit of T5 HO grow light
T5 HO grow light have the following advantages: they produce relatively little heat, especially when compared to HID or other fluorescent bulbs; they last 10x longer than incandescent bulbs; they are ideal for seedlings and cuttings; they are suitable for a variety of herbs and vegetables, and they are good for aquariums.
***Read more: Best LED Grow Light For 3×3 Tent: Top 6 Expert Choice 2022
# The Drawbacks of T5 HO grow light
In many cases, multiple types of bulbs will be required to simulate natural sunlight. Blue lights are best for vegetative growth, whereas red lights are best for flowering plants. If you’re willing to invest in the more expensive multi-spectrum T5 bulbs, you’ll be able to increase your harvests and reduce the amount of bulb-changing you need to do, which is less energy-efficient than LEDs.
And finally, if the bulbs are broken, they can be hazardous to human health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because T5s don’t generate as much heat as other options, some growers believe they can be placed as close to seedlings as you like. Instead, in most cases, you should place your lights about 10′′ above the plants to maximize the amount of light received.
T5 bulbs are more efficient than other fluorescent lights and thus use less electricity. This is also true for the vast majority of HID and incandescent light sources.
T5s are my favorite fluorescent lighting option for growing seedlings and small plants. They emit a lot of light, which is good for vegetative growth, but they don’t emit a lot of heat. They’re also less expensive than most LED alternatives.
The T5 and T5 HO are identical in size but have different outputs. The T5 produces 2,900 lumens, which is comparable to the T8. The T5 HO can produce up to 5,000 lumens. T5 HO lamps allow for the use of fewer lamps on projects, which saves money due to less maintenance.
While the diameter and length of the standard T5 and T5 HO are the same, the 4-ft T5 is rated at 2,900 lumens, which is comparable to the lumen per watt output of a T8 lamp. The 4-ft T5 HO lamp, on the other hand, is rated as high as 5,000 lumens, providing twice the maintained light output of a T8 lamp.
Conclusion
In the indoor grower space, there are numerous light bulbs and fixtures to choose from. T5 ho grow light is one of the best options. Because T5s are a less expensive option (upfront cost), they are ideal for most growing needs. Purchase a grow light today to get started with your indoor garden.
