I am setting up a mini grow station in my basement. I plan to grow perennials from seed during the winter with the objective of transplanting them to my garden next Spring. As a newbie to the mysteries of indoor gardening and gardening in general, I also have been baffled by the incredible variety of systems and possibilities, with such a huge range in price and quality. I decided on the Agrobrite after reviewing some possibilities, including LEDs. So after a period of research through the internet, trying to find some technical information, here is what I have found so far.
So what I did was to gather the information provided by Hydrofarm and contrast it with some calculations based on my own testing. I downloaded a light meter application to my iPhone, just the kind that yields reading in footcandles and lux. I took some measurements in footcandles (fc) and converted them to lux (CAVEAT: take this measurements with a grain of salt, it is expected that the sensor in the iPhone camera is not as accurate and precise as even the least decent of spectrometers---nevertheless, I used them to guide my analysis). Then using published tables (easily found on the web) I converted lux (which is a photometric unit) to a radiometric unit and then into PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation---which as everybody knows, is the part of the spectrum from 400 to 700 nanometers that plant use during what is called vegetative growth).
The Agrobrite FLT22 [ASIN:B0031CA3OM Agrobrite T5, FLT22, 2 Foot, 2-Tube Fixture with Included Fluorescent Grow Lights] (which I assume is named after its ballast model and size) portrays two T5 HO bulbs at 6400K, 24 watts each, for a total of 48 watts, both bulbs yielding “up to 4000 lumens” each, I interpret. [the wattage can be found multiplying 120 volts by 0.4 amps, as specified on the box]. Based on this, the pair of T5s in the Agrobrite should be capable of producing up 10800 lm (just using the upper-bound in the range of luminous efficacy for a LED lamp). Hydrofarm, perhaps wisely, put a statement of “up to 4000 lumens”, meaning that for the pair, it should output 8000 lumens. The discrepancy puts their own claim at 74% efficiency [the lower limit of luminous efficacy should be explored too to try to fit their rating].
I obtained measurements of 1500 footcandles per tube for a total of 3000 footcandles for both. Using the surface area of my setup: 1.63 square foot, I arrived to a figure around 9700 lm, a slight 22% above Hydrofarm's upper value. Of course, the result is easily attributable to the amount of error introduced by reading irradiance with an iPhone and a cheap application as processing software of choice. I suspect that a combination of sensor error, reflective set-up and liberal use of assumptions put the readings so high, but at the same time my gut tells me that they might not be so far below either.
Using these values, I computed 33 PAR watts, shy of 200 mu_mol/m^2.s and a range for PPFD: 869<PPFD<1868. (Again, take into account that this is for the small surface area of 1.63square ft). As reference, a 1000 watt UltraSun Metal Halide lamp, situated 24 in. above plants, claims measured values with a PAR meter of 569-574 mu_mol/m^2.s, peaking at 600 mu_mol/m^2.s. The limit of PAR that plants can handle is around 1500 mu_mol/m^2.s. A good value to achieve could be 500 mu_mol/m^2.s. Obviously, 2 fluorescent tubes seem to be no match for a Metal Halide system, but on the flip side, the cooling is simpler, plants can be located closer to the source, energy usage issues are points to be considered.
One cautiously optimistic conclusion could be that for the price point, the Agrobrite FLT22 offers tremendous value, is still economical and robust enough to allow for further expansions.
I have under the lights for 13 hrs daily, some sprouts of Hollihock, Salvia, Anisse Hyssop and Ratibida that I was hardening outside in early Fall. Very soon I will be able to tell whether the set up is doing its job.
I will post new updates as they occur.
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Hydrofarm - Tools for growing
Hydrofarm is the nation’s oldest wholesaler and leading manufacturer of hydroponics equipment and high-intensity grow lights.
Our products incorporate only premium quality components, and our professional-grade hydroponics and UL-listed lighting fixtures give you years of dependable service.
Agrobrite T5 Fixture with Lamps
Hydrofarm’s newest T5 system delivers performance, flexibility, and high lumen output in any growing environment. These systems allow you to choose multiple hanging configurations to meet your garden’s design. They combine premium grade specular aluminum with energy-efficient/high-output T5 tubes and put out double the light energy of normal fluorescent systems.
- Seven sizes available, from 2–12 tubes
- Daisy chainable—run multiple fixtures from a single outlet
- Rated up to 18,800 lumens
- Low profile, powder coated steel housing
- Hangs 3 ways—overhead, vertical, or horizontal
- Includes 10' grounded power cord and 6400K fluorescent tubes
Performance, flexibility, and high lumen output ... in any growing environment
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
High output light—great priceAgrobrite T5 replacement tubes offer HO light at a great price. Full daylight 6400K spectrum, rated for 20,000 hours of life, and compatible with all Hydrofarm T5 fixtures. Available in volume 20-packs, too. |
Super versatile installation optionsAgrobrite T5 fixture can be installed three ways—vertical, horizontal, or overhead—so you get the maximum lumens reaching your plants at all times. |
What’s in the box? Everything.Hydrofarm’s Agrobrite T5 Fixture comes with everything you need, all packaged securely in a cardboard box with protective foam insulation. |
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:14
Click to play video
Agrobrite T5 Fixtures
Hydrofarm, Inc.
Videos for this product
1:12
Click to play video
Agrobrite T5 Tube Fixture
Hydrofarm, Inc.
Compare with similar items
This Item  Hydrofarm Agrobrite FLT24 T5 Fluorescent, 2 Foot, 4 Tube Grow Light System, 2-Feet, White |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | -21% $109.99 List: $139.99 | $119.99 | -19% $56.99 List: $69.99 | $99.99 | $38.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 18 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 18 | — |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Brightness | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Easy to assemble | ||||||
| Energy efficiency | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| Sold By | — | INW LIGHTING | SPIDER FARMER | INW LIGHTING | INW LIGHTING | Monios L |
| material | German specular aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum, Polycarbonate | Aluminum, Polycarbonate | Aluminum |
| light source type | Fluorescent | LED | LED | LED | — | LED |
| light sources | 24 | 6 | 600 | 400 | 6 | 1 |
| power source | Corded Electric | AC | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | AC | AC |
| shade material | Aluminum, Alloy Steel | Aluminum, Shell | — | — | Aluminum, Shell | Aluminum |
| style | 2-Feet | Modern | Modern | 8-Pack | — | Garden |
Reviews with images
A good fixture as compared to others I have. Don't care for the open top design.
I have two 20' x 15' grow rooms in my basement where I have been growing the majority of our veggies and herbs for the last 5 years. One room has 7 large LED fixtures for the larger floor plants, and the other room contains 5 4' - 5' shelving units that I use lights similar to these. The shelving units are used to grow seedlings and plants that do not exceed 30". I use an Apogee PAR meter to determine lighting height for some of the plants, and run my lights for 14 hours per day. On the shelves, I use a number of 4, 6, and 8 tube lights similar to this one.The lights on my shelves all came with T5 fluorescent tubes that I switched out for T5 LED tubes. The LED tubes for this fixture use 11 Watts of power vs. the 24 Watts used by the fluorescent tubes. So, the LED tubes use less than half of the electricity required for the fluorescent tubes. The LED tubes produce less heat and will not burn plants that touch them. Using my Apogee PAR meter, the LED tubes produce a reading of 450 PAR at 4-6 inches from the plant. For new seedlings, the light should be higher as seedlings need only 250-300 PAR for compact growth.Although this Hydrofarm Agrobrite fixture works as well as the other tube fixture I have, I am not fond of the open top design. The other fixtures I have are covered on the top and are easy to clean dust, soil, or water that may fall on top of them in a multi-shelf configuration when installed on a lower shelf. I installed this light on a top shelf, so won't have to contend with water spillage or soil, but I don't look forward to cleaning dust out of it. The design is basically a rectangular box which is not quite as aesthetic as the designs of other fixtures I have. The on/off switch is on one end of the fixture which may be more or less convenient depending on your configuration. For all of my other fixtures, the switch is on the side. I prefer the side switch for my configuration, but the switch on the side of the cord may work fine for you.Another thing I don't like about this fixture is that the hanging apparatus are solid triangular pieces connected to the top of the fixture. These are what the fixture hangs from. The other fixtures I have use flexible covered wire to hang the fixture. The problem with the solid hanger is that you can not raise the fixture so that is less than 7-8 inches from the shelf it is hanging on. Fixtures with the flexible hanger can be raised to be much closer to the shelf above since the hanger can be pulled through the shelf and wrapped around the bars on the shelf. This may not be a problem for you depending the the height of your plants.Overall, for the price, this is a good light fixture, but, as mentioned, I don't like the open top design. So, I would not buy another fixture of this brand. If you are new to growing indoors or need a light to start plants that will be move outdoors, the price factor on this light is attractive and it works as well as the more expensive fixtures.UPDATE 7/06/23:To solve the problem of the triangular hanging piece, I removed this piece which is just hooked in through a hole in the top to the fixture. I used S-hooks that fit into these holes, and connected the S-hooks at each end with a small piece of chain. I used a smaller S-hook to connect the center of the chain to another small chain that is hung from a bar of my shelving unit. This makes raising and lower the light very easy, and the light can be hung much closer to the shelf above it. I have added a couple of pictures that hopefully, depicts what I have described.I hope this review was helpful for you.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2016
So what I did was to gather the information provided by Hydrofarm and contrast it with some calculations based on my own testing. I downloaded a light meter application to my iPhone, just the kind that yields reading in footcandles and lux. I took some measurements in footcandles (fc) and converted them to lux (CAVEAT: take this measurements with a grain of salt, it is expected that the sensor in the iPhone camera is not as accurate and precise as even the least decent of spectrometers---nevertheless, I used them to guide my analysis). Then using published tables (easily found on the web) I converted lux (which is a photometric unit) to a radiometric unit and then into PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation---which as everybody knows, is the part of the spectrum from 400 to 700 nanometers that plant use during what is called vegetative growth).
The Agrobrite FLT22 [ASIN:B0031CA3OM Agrobrite T5, FLT22, 2 Foot, 2-Tube Fixture with Included Fluorescent Grow Lights] (which I assume is named after its ballast model and size) portrays two T5 HO bulbs at 6400K, 24 watts each, for a total of 48 watts, both bulbs yielding “up to 4000 lumens” each, I interpret. [the wattage can be found multiplying 120 volts by 0.4 amps, as specified on the box]. Based on this, the pair of T5s in the Agrobrite should be capable of producing up 10800 lm (just using the upper-bound in the range of luminous efficacy for a LED lamp). Hydrofarm, perhaps wisely, put a statement of “up to 4000 lumens”, meaning that for the pair, it should output 8000 lumens. The discrepancy puts their own claim at 74% efficiency [the lower limit of luminous efficacy should be explored too to try to fit their rating].
I obtained measurements of 1500 footcandles per tube for a total of 3000 footcandles for both. Using the surface area of my setup: 1.63 square foot, I arrived to a figure around 9700 lm, a slight 22% above Hydrofarm's upper value. Of course, the result is easily attributable to the amount of error introduced by reading irradiance with an iPhone and a cheap application as processing software of choice. I suspect that a combination of sensor error, reflective set-up and liberal use of assumptions put the readings so high, but at the same time my gut tells me that they might not be so far below either.
Using these values, I computed 33 PAR watts, shy of 200 mu_mol/m^2.s and a range for PPFD: 869<PPFD<1868. (Again, take into account that this is for the small surface area of 1.63square ft). As reference, a 1000 watt UltraSun Metal Halide lamp, situated 24 in. above plants, claims measured values with a PAR meter of 569-574 mu_mol/m^2.s, peaking at 600 mu_mol/m^2.s. The limit of PAR that plants can handle is around 1500 mu_mol/m^2.s. A good value to achieve could be 500 mu_mol/m^2.s. Obviously, 2 fluorescent tubes seem to be no match for a Metal Halide system, but on the flip side, the cooling is simpler, plants can be located closer to the source, energy usage issues are points to be considered.
One cautiously optimistic conclusion could be that for the price point, the Agrobrite FLT22 offers tremendous value, is still economical and robust enough to allow for further expansions.
I have under the lights for 13 hrs daily, some sprouts of Hollihock, Salvia, Anisse Hyssop and Ratibida that I was hardening outside in early Fall. Very soon I will be able to tell whether the set up is doing its job.
I will post new updates as they occur.
Pattern Name: 2 TubesStyle: 2-FeetVerified Purchase
Good competition to more expensive systems. Good value for the price point.
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2016
I am setting up a mini grow station in my basement. I plan to grow perennials from seed during the winter with the objective of transplanting them to my garden next Spring. As a newbie to the mysteries of indoor gardening and gardening in general, I also have been baffled by the incredible variety of systems and possibilities, with such a huge range in price and quality. I decided on the Agrobrite after reviewing some possibilities, including LEDs. So after a period of research through the internet, trying to find some technical information, here is what I have found so far.Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2016
So what I did was to gather the information provided by Hydrofarm and contrast it with some calculations based on my own testing. I downloaded a light meter application to my iPhone, just the kind that yields reading in footcandles and lux. I took some measurements in footcandles (fc) and converted them to lux (CAVEAT: take this measurements with a grain of salt, it is expected that the sensor in the iPhone camera is not as accurate and precise as even the least decent of spectrometers---nevertheless, I used them to guide my analysis). Then using published tables (easily found on the web) I converted lux (which is a photometric unit) to a radiometric unit and then into PAR (Photosynthetically Available Radiation---which as everybody knows, is the part of the spectrum from 400 to 700 nanometers that plant use during what is called vegetative growth).
The Agrobrite FLT22 [ASIN:B0031CA3OM Agrobrite T5, FLT22, 2 Foot, 2-Tube Fixture with Included Fluorescent Grow Lights] (which I assume is named after its ballast model and size) portrays two T5 HO bulbs at 6400K, 24 watts each, for a total of 48 watts, both bulbs yielding “up to 4000 lumens” each, I interpret. [the wattage can be found multiplying 120 volts by 0.4 amps, as specified on the box]. Based on this, the pair of T5s in the Agrobrite should be capable of producing up 10800 lm (just using the upper-bound in the range of luminous efficacy for a LED lamp). Hydrofarm, perhaps wisely, put a statement of “up to 4000 lumens”, meaning that for the pair, it should output 8000 lumens. The discrepancy puts their own claim at 74% efficiency [the lower limit of luminous efficacy should be explored too to try to fit their rating].
I obtained measurements of 1500 footcandles per tube for a total of 3000 footcandles for both. Using the surface area of my setup: 1.63 square foot, I arrived to a figure around 9700 lm, a slight 22% above Hydrofarm's upper value. Of course, the result is easily attributable to the amount of error introduced by reading irradiance with an iPhone and a cheap application as processing software of choice. I suspect that a combination of sensor error, reflective set-up and liberal use of assumptions put the readings so high, but at the same time my gut tells me that they might not be so far below either.
Using these values, I computed 33 PAR watts, shy of 200 mu_mol/m^2.s and a range for PPFD: 869<PPFD<1868. (Again, take into account that this is for the small surface area of 1.63square ft). As reference, a 1000 watt UltraSun Metal Halide lamp, situated 24 in. above plants, claims measured values with a PAR meter of 569-574 mu_mol/m^2.s, peaking at 600 mu_mol/m^2.s. The limit of PAR that plants can handle is around 1500 mu_mol/m^2.s. A good value to achieve could be 500 mu_mol/m^2.s. Obviously, 2 fluorescent tubes seem to be no match for a Metal Halide system, but on the flip side, the cooling is simpler, plants can be located closer to the source, energy usage issues are points to be considered.
One cautiously optimistic conclusion could be that for the price point, the Agrobrite FLT22 offers tremendous value, is still economical and robust enough to allow for further expansions.
I have under the lights for 13 hrs daily, some sprouts of Hollihock, Salvia, Anisse Hyssop and Ratibida that I was hardening outside in early Fall. Very soon I will be able to tell whether the set up is doing its job.
I will post new updates as they occur.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
SMOKEY
Best VEG Light
Reviewed in Canada on November 8, 2023Pattern Name: 4 TubesStyle: 2-FeetVerified Purchase
Gonzalo
Las usó para un acuario marino
Reviewed in Mexico on April 18, 2020Pattern Name: 4 TubesStyle: 2-FeetVerified Purchase
Sean O
Amazing build quality
Reviewed in Canada on March 28, 2018Pattern Name: 4 TubesStyle: 4-FeetVerified Purchase
Mark
Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2019Pattern Name: 2 TubesStyle: 2-FeetVerified Purchase
Amazon Customer
good quality. Love the lights and so do my ...
Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2017Pattern Name: 6 TubesStyle: 4-FeetVerified Purchase
