For many years options in fluorescent grow lights were limited to a few options but much as changed and the industry is evolving to meet the demands of energy efficiency. T5 grow lights are especially popular with many greenhouse plant enthusiasts because although the bulbs run fairly hot, they do not emit or radiate heat to the seedlings or plants below. It is extremely important to only purchase light bulbs that state “cool white” or “cool” on them. It is also a good idea to choose T5 grow lighting with high output or T5 HO lights. Light bulbs that state high output or plus promote better growth. The size of your garden or the spacing between your plants is the main determinant as to how many light bulbs or fixtures you will need.

T5 grow light fixtures have a reflective backing that is also beneficial to plants because not only are the bulbs sufficient to promote higher amounts of growth, the reflective aspects help increase the benefits even more. A T5 grow light system is very costly in comparison to regular metal halides but the benefits are well worth the initial investment. T5 fluorescent grow light bulbs last almost three times longer than regular metal halide bulbs. Manufacturers promise that the new technology is also more than half more energy efficient than other competitors. The energy savings alone is something consumers need to take into account before purchasing any type of lighting system. Over time the savings could become substantial especially if the lights are going to be left on for long periods of time which is typically the case with indoor gardening.

T12 and T8 grow lights are slightly longer than T5 bulbs so you can get larger coverage with fewer bulbs. As with most evolutions in technology, there are many advantages and disadvantages to each change that is made but one must weigh all options before making a sound decision. Ask other plant growers how they feel about their T5 lighting lighting options. Setup small lighting tests with a few different options in lighting to determine which one works best for the type of plant growth you are interested in. Some plants require a larger concentration of natural light in order to thrive so no matter how hard you try to achieve that with artificial lighting it simply cannot fulfill that need. Know your plants and their necessary environments before you choose any type of lighting. Once you have a good idea of what your plants will require to grow, you can then make a better determination as to the type of lighting that can get you the results you are after.

This artical is quoted from http://fluorescentt5lightingfixtures.com.