LED Vs. T5/T8 Fluorescent Grow Lights for Cannabis Cloning

                        Author: Chloe Lai            Email: [email protected]              WhatsApp：+86 15768508362

When growing clone cannabis either commercially or just for yourself, you need to have the right type of light to meet your clone babies' needs. Generally, growers decide between a few clone lighting options, such as LED clone lights, and fluorescent lights. Today we’ll be discussing LED and fluorescent grow lights, that the most used in developing cannabis cloning.

Both T5/T8 fluorescent and LEDs can be used as grow lights for cannabis cloning. The major difference is that full-spectrum LED grow lights are certainly more popular and are generally considered the superior option when choosing to grow lights for our cloning cannabis.

Comparison Of LED vs Fluorescent Grow Lights

Now, let’s look at the comparison of LED and fluorescent grow lights with respect to specific aspects:

• Safety

When intact, T5/T8 tubes are completely safe. But if you break it, it could potentially be hazardous as fluorescent tubes have a little bit of mercury gas. This gas is toxic to human health and also harmful to clone cannabis. While LEDs do not contain mercury, LEDs are a safer option.  

• Lifespan

LED grow lights really outshine fluorescent grow lights, as LEDs have a usable lifespan of about 50,000 hours. Compared to 10000 to 20000 hours for T5 fluorescents, they are, of course, the most long-lasting. Coupled with their energy-efficient feature, LEDs are a clear winner in terms of life span.

• Water-Resistant

Most T5/T8 fluorescent grow lights are only IP20 rated, although they can also be IP65, their waterproof effect is not as good as that of LED, which can reach IP65, IP66, or even higher. Growing clone cannabis, the waterproof performance is also very critical for growers. The grow light would not fail because of its excellent waterproof.

• Light Decay

Heat is a major factor in light failure.

T5/T8 fluorescent grow light, which only needs to be heated to turn on the power and then stay on. They are usually hot to the touch and use most of their energy to produce heat rather than light.

LED grow lights produce very little radiant heat (about 11%), but fluorescent lights produce more (about 30%). In most cases, LEDs don't emit as much heat as T5/T8 fluorescent grow lights. LED grow lights may be more expensive than T5/T8 Fluorescent grow lights, but LEDs last up to three years or more. LEDs are designed with heat sinks that absorb any heat generated by the light from the diode. You can touch an LED light without burning your hands, even if the light has been on for hours.

Conclusion

T5/T8 fluorescent grow lights generally are less expensive that LEDs, but from the long term, LED grow lights is more cheaper and it is winner, as LED grow lights have more long-lasting lifespan, less heat for clone cannabis. LED grow lights can provide more light needed for clone cannabis.

If you need help choosing a new grow light for cannabis cloning, consider calling or emailing us for further discussion!