T5 HO Fluorescent vs LED Replacement Bulb Grow Lights for Shelves -Hydroponic Lettuce Test & Review

In the world of fluorescent grow lights, T5 tube lights are efficient and reliable for plant growth. An inexpensive investment, they work well in grow racks for small-scale gardeners as well as commercial grow operations, working well for seed starting, lettuce production and culinary herbs.

But the bulb lifespan is not so great and continual advancements in LED technology has resulted in a maturing market of super-efficient grow lights. LEDs may have higher upfront costs, but they offer many advantages: Mercury-free, Recyclable, Longer Product Life, Less Heat Generation & Improved Electrical Efficiency.

This UPS power station can backup a grow light!

These LEDs are my NEW recommendation instead of the ones in this video:

AMAZON PRODUCT LINKS (# CommissionsEarned):
MUCH better price and even MORE efficient!

Or check out this option:

LED LIMITATIONS:

Not all LEDs are designed to operate in the same form factor. Many SMD Panels, UFOs, Par38 & COB designs require 12 or more inches of vertical clearance to achieve proper light distribution. In contrast T5 fluorescents create uniform light while running cool enough to be placed within a few inches of plant canopy. What types of LED lights can be placed very close to your plants, just like T5s?

My real-life testing has shown this LED form factor to be a high quality solution. I'm happy I had the opportunity to share this cool T5 upgrade with you guys.

This LED light is a 4 foot bulb that is designed to plug directly into an existing T5 ballast! By swapping out your old fluorescents, you can get the same great growth at a mere 45% of the original electrical consumption. So in a 4 bulb configuration, you can drop from 205w to just 92w (actual consumption)!

TEST BED:

T5 Fluorescent / 2ft x 4 bulbs (6400k) - 96w (86w actual)
Coverage area: 22.5" x 13.5" = 304 sq in

T5 LED Direct Replacement Tube / 4ft x 4 bulbs - 120w (92w actual)
Coverage area: 46" x 13.5" = 621 sq in

Distance: Lights were placed 6" from soil surface.

Plant Set Up: Red Sails leaf lettuce grown from seed in Kratky's hydroponic trays.

RESULTS:

Of course, energy savings is useless, if the light doesn't perform. But after comparing my 2 foot T5 fluorescent with this 4 foot system, I'm happy to say that this light has done really well! In expending 7% more power, I observed at least 43% more growth. And there was potential for even more. :-) If compared to a 4 foot fluorescent system, I'm sure these LEDs would be able to keep up with no problems!

RECOMMENDATIONS:

For small scale hobbyists, the upfront price is fairly competitive. You need to analyze how many months out of the year you'll be running them. The lights are excellent quality and they perform very well. But if you're just starting out, you might want to look elsewhere, especially if you don't already own a T5 fixture.

On the other hand, if you already own a T5 fluorescent grow light, switching to the LEDs will enable you to grow year round at a reduced operation cost. I personally am considering growing hydroponic lettuce throughout the Winter since the electrical costs will be so much less!

#GrowLights #IndoorLighting #LEDGrowLights #IndoorGardening

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[Albopepper]

These LEDs are my NEW recommendation instead of the ones in this video:
PRODUCT LINK (# CommissionsEarned)
MUCH better price and even MORE efficient!


_Check out my other reviews:_

This UPS power station can backup a grow light!


_Learn more about artificial lighting and plant growth:_

[felinomatos]

I must say, i'm not sure if i'm more impressed about your detailed explanation or the quality of the product.

[gabrielolsen]

I saw a minute of this video and thought it was an add then watched more of Albo's videos and now I'm a subscriber. Thanks so much Albo for all of this knowledge!

[video]

Thank you for all your tests. This has helped me prepare to accurately include the correct lights for a pinkhouse I am helping design.

[tmbosch]

Always informative, scientific comparisons. LED for me now because of growth with less heat! Thanks

[MrChip]

Looks very promising! Seems like a worthwhile alternative to T5's. Thanks for the comprehensive info on these!

[davesterchele]

Hi Al, can't say enough about your great methodology and succinct analysis. Will definitely be looking for Transcend Lighting when I'm ready to expand beyond my 2 foot T5 system.

Keep the product reviews coming!

[carnini]

Really enjoyed the video. The side by side comparison of the lettuce plants and the wattage used

[francisgraf]

Great videos. I am on a similar hunt for my Aquaponics herb garden. Most T5 LED replacements only go to 20w or so, these are 34w and it looks like they paid alot of attention to PAR output. Very nice results!

I have been tracking LEDs for almost a decade, and they have only pretty recently found their place. Although there are many impostors as you discovered in your last test.

Also the Infinity system by Transcend looks promising, something to consider for those who dont already own a T5 fixture.

Fixture plus LED bulbs [$375]
2x Infinity Linear [$400]

The infinity seems similar to the Phillips Production Module.

[cherylphelan]

Guess I know finally what I'm getting for grow lights! Thank you!😘👍

[guyandoren]

I realize that it's an old thread but I wanted to address a problem which was not mentioned. I have a 4 ft 4 bulb HO T5 light in my grow room (a converted bathroom). The problem is that the heat from the bulbs is so intense that when all 4 are on the temp at the seedling tray goes up to an unacceptable level (85 or more). When I move the lights over 2 ft away the temp comes down to the low 80's. However, at this distance I am worried that my plants will get too leggy and start reaching. I replaced two of the T5 bulbs with LED bulbs that fit in the ballast and this reduced the heat significantly. However, when I turn on the two remaining T5 bulbs the temp starts to soar again. I even removed one of the T5 bulbs and tested the temperature with 2 LED bulbs in the ballast vs. 2 LED+1 T5 and, once again, the T5 was causing a temperature increase. I think I will have to replace all the T5's with LEDs. I can't imagine keeping a 4 T5 bulb system 6 inches from my seedlings (lettuce, kale, basil etc). They would absolutely fry. I should mention that my ambient room temp in my California grow room is already at about 75 during the day. Perhaps things would be different in the winter.

[PerErik]

how did you account for heat? in the past test. Because the plant temperature would be different with a hot light on them.

[teecee]

I'm currently using really cheap white led shop lights from Amazon, and they're excellent as grow lights for herbs, microgreens, and lettuce. 20w, 2000 lumens, 5000k. I use 3 (double bulb) ballasts per 18"x48" shelf. No heat, cheap power consumption, bright light, light weight, easy to hang. My only complaint is that I think I will need 6500k spectrum to produce some of the red leaf varieties of lettuce, the red doesn't look like it's showing up under 5000k lights. But, I just ordered some 6500k and that will probably solve the only problem. I love t5 ho flourescent, it's never failed me for germinating any types of seeds, 100% germination. However, I'm loving some of the cheap white led shop lights as well.

[nicholasphilip]

Im wondering i read theres reflectors for the led as the fluorescent reflectors dont work with the led t5. There called reflector stripes ii believe ?

[stanleymcomber]

Well organized and presented video, good editing. Thanks

[braddream]

hey brother can these flower or is there a special t5 led flower bulb so i dont have to buy another light.

[obviouslytwou]

Don't forget to do a taste test as looks are not everything. nice work all thought :)

[great]

This is promising! I am setting up a system right now that is very similar actually. However, I am using some GE T8 LEDs rated at 2300 Lumins and 6500K. Got them at Lowe's in a contractor 10pk for $74 ea. Hopefully they will work for the leafy greens I plan to grow. If not I will give these a try.

[drgreenthumb]

I'm definitely going to be trying these soon. love your videos.

[sheltontrails]

Lettuce prefers cool temperatures, but what if you are using bulbs only for starting heat-loving summer crops during the cold months
(tomatoes, peppers, eggplant). The heat off my fluorescent T5 seems to speed up the growth of these seedlings in a house that is 62-68 degrees. I'm able to start my seeds very late because they grow so fast in the heat and light. Therefore I'm not running the lights for as many months.