Of course, it not either/or, and I’m so not looking to discourage any breeding/crossing experimentation, far from it. Just reflecting from my own personal learning journey with this amazing plant, do both for sure. Just be warned that it’s a long road lol.
Mostly I think but man that’s another long conversation
The T5’s will throw a very diffuse light, which as you have indicated is more efficient than point light source such as a MH. With the MH the angle of incidence is direct, meaning the distribution of photons to leaf chloroplasts is less evenly distributed, and therefore less efficient than the scattered light emitted from the T5, however it’s the intensity of the light that is important, and the PAR, Though personally I just use 3500k LEDs right across the cycle, so idk what temp you are running on the T5’s?
Also consider that the chloroplasts by far most prevalent on the upper side of the leaf, so side and under lightning benefits can be marginal in my experience.