OK so after going over stats on three T5s that could possibly replace my hps 430s I've reached the conclusion that any T5 would be a downgrade to what i have now. Here's the run down of what I was considering...
1. Two HTG Slimstar 4' 6 tube T5HO would offer 60k lumens @ 648 watts for $356 + shipping
2. One Sun System Solar Flare or Solar Wind 4' 8 tube T5VHO would offer 57,600 lumens @ 760 watts for $400. no shipping, is available locally
3. One Quantum Bad Boy 4' 16 tube would offer 80k lumens @ 864 watts for $500
My two 430 Son Agro lights w/ Eye Hortilux bulbs offer a whopping 118k lumens @ 860watts
Heat would need to be controlled with all the lights so I dont think i could save on energy consumption unless i went with the HTG but that would cut my lumens in half and only be a drop of 220 watts. Common sense is telling me to keep burning the extra 220 watts for double the lumens.
The Quantum is still very intriguing to me. the loss of 40k lumens is quite discouraging but the idea of lighting being spread out over the entire overhead space with some side lighting is very interesting as opposed to just having a single focal point of lighting over the top of the canopy
1. Two HTG Slimstar 4' 6 tube T5HO would offer 60k lumens @ 648 watts for $356 + shipping
2. One Sun System Solar Flare or Solar Wind 4' 8 tube T5VHO would offer 57,600 lumens @ 760 watts for $400. no shipping, is available locally
3. One Quantum Bad Boy 4' 16 tube would offer 80k lumens @ 864 watts for $500
My two 430 Son Agro lights w/ Eye Hortilux bulbs offer a whopping 118k lumens @ 860watts
Heat would need to be controlled with all the lights so I dont think i could save on energy consumption unless i went with the HTG but that would cut my lumens in half and only be a drop of 220 watts. Common sense is telling me to keep burning the extra 220 watts for double the lumens.
The Quantum is still very intriguing to me. the loss of 40k lumens is quite discouraging but the idea of lighting being spread out over the entire overhead space with some side lighting is very interesting as opposed to just having a single focal point of lighting over the top of the canopy