light levels

[msh1]

hi all
my orchids are growing under lights that were designed for marine aquarium use 2 bulbs peak in the blue spectrum 1 in the red spectrum after nearly a month all the orchid have gone a lighter green the vanda has a pink flush on the leaves also the phal has pink/red blotches( i have now shaded phal) am i giving too much light they all look really healthy
thanks mark

[kmarch]

I'm afraid you have a bit of a dilema on yoru hands. Phals and Vandas are at opposite ends of th elight requirement spectrum. I suspect your light is good for the Phal, which is a mediumn-light orchid, but too little for the Vanda which is a high light orchid.

[pikevi]

I think kmarch is right. I'd even go a bit further and say that they are not good for Phals. either

Are you using the 24" ones or the 36" ones? Are they behind protective crystals (splash guards)?. If they are they will act as filters too.I did have them for my aquariums but they are expensive to replace ($22.00CAD each). They are very good for aquarium plants (and for fish-colour) but I am not sure if they are OK for any other plants( except may be mushrooms).

I am afraid you cannot use them for any orchids by themselves. It would be very useful if you can add an additional lighting (twin) with a 'daylight' bulb($5.00CAD) and a 'broadspectrum' light ($8.00CAD). You will see a world of a difference when you do that.

Good luck.