T5 grow lights are high output fluorescent and compact fluorescent lights, which operate cooler, and uses less energy than metal halide and HPS grow lights. The T5 grow lights are set in lamp systems that are set in differing heights, to allow growing for the plants. To start off, use a 2 feet 2-lamp system, then as the plant grows, increase to a  4 feet 8-lamp system. These t5 grow lights should cover all the stages of the growth of plants.

T5 grow lights types

There are different types of T5 grow lights, which should also correspond to the different stages of plant life. For budding, flowering and fruiting plants, use lamps with 3000k.

 The 6500L lamps are used for vegetative growth.

 Then there is the combination of 50% 3000K lamp with the next 50% of the 6500K lamp for all purpose growth.[ Do not confuse the other types of fluorescent grow lights such as T8 and T12. These are used for start seeds and plants that require low intensity lighting. T8 lights are less expensive and more energy efficient than the T5 grow lights.]

Even though these T5 grow lights are a new innovation of light source for hydroponics and indoor gardens in the United States, they are rapidly gaining in popularity and have been successfully used in Europe for several years.

 T5 grow lights were originally invented as a light source used together with reflectors for aquarium lighting. But as the T5 grow lights have shown success in plant growth application as well, they are rapidly taking the place of other forms of grow lights which use excessive amounts of electricity.

T5 grow lights for your organic fruits and veges

There is an increasing market for organically grown fruits and vegetables. Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in a liquid nutrient with or without gravel, or another supporting medium. The method of growing plants in liquid nutrients is rapidly gaining in popularity, especially in places where there is little or no sunshine most of the year, and the need for fresh vegetables is in demand.

This need has increased the availability, as well as the use of T5 grow lights, to artificially stimulate the ‘endless summer’ effect, that is, the red, yellow and blue regions of the spectrum of light. The different spectrums provide the necessary light needed for plant growth. Blue LED lights which stimulate the vegetative growth of the plants are used together with the T5 grow lights to imitate the blue spectrum of natural sunlight.

 Even if the use of these T5 grow lights requires a little more electricity, there is still the undeniable necessity of having fresh fruits and vegetables.In fact, the use of T5 grow lights can allow you to have organic salad and soup ingredients, all year round.