comparing lights

[exasperatus2002]

What is so special with t5's that makes it different then using shop lights with grow lights in them. Is it the florescent tubes or the units themselves? I can inexpensive shop lights at home depot. From my experience of managing a petshop in my youth and also having a dutch tank, I know theres a number of good florescent tubes for plants that I can put in them.

[mayres]

It is the INTENSITY! The amount of light the bulbs give off is 4-5X. You cannot over light any orchid that I'm aware of with shop lights - you can FRY your orchids with T5's if you are not careful and keep the distance. Only low light orchids such as paphs and phals under shop lights - if you want to bloom catts and other med to high light orchids you are going to need T5's or HID. Yes - more money - major more money - also more heat generation to deal with. Good luck! mike

[exasperatus2002]

so the t5 isnt a lighting unit but rather the florescent tube used in it?

[PhalPal]

I went from natural lighting to T5's and even at a distance, burned a few Oncidium leaves. These lights are strong and my plants are really loving them. I re-potted into plastic pots with a coir mix and I have lots of new (altho late) Phal spikes and lots of little green root tips showing through the pots. I have to keep my Phlas off to the side of my lights, placing my high light Catts and Oncidiums directly under them. I did a lot of research and cost analysis and have found the $185 I spent well worth the results.

[PhalPal]

T5 refers to the diameter of the bulb, which seems to increase in intensity as the diameter decreases. ALL of the flourescent bulbs must be used in their specific unit because the current they draw is different for each bulb type. You can't decide today to start with shop lights and later switch to T5's, T8's, or anything else.

[exasperatus2002]

I understand. Thank you.

[patticake]

I'm setting up with t-12 Gro-lux bulbs on one shelf to start. I had the fixtures and trays etc., I bought new bulbs. You don't think that this will be good enough for my seedling Catts. if they aren't to far from the bulbs I can't really afford another set up right now, and I already had the grow cart from years ago.

[jay]

And not to add to the confusion of indoor lighting, I am currently experimenting with supplemental LED lights. So far I have had great results. I have my first Catt. with three large buds since giving it the extra LED light. This will be my first Catt. to bloom in my care.

Jay

[exasperatus2002]

Im curious and maybe I shoulda mentioned it from the start but. Im am determined to make my own hybrid Cattleya. When I do, and I get the flasks back. I dont know if I'll have enough room in the window space (yah I know you can stop laughing now) For all the baby chids so I thought I'd start them on artificial lighting.

[Vivienne]

I know the feeling exasperatus. I have 2 flasks that are going to need seedling space... and my dad is heading back to Thailand. Goodness knows what he'll bring back this time! I have no choice but to set up a special light shelf for them.

[jimcarolm]

Phal- how far away from your t-5 do you keep your phals? or any other type of orchid from your t-5s I have phals, paphs, and just added Tolumnia, oncidiinae culture. I notice phals turning red 24" away

What about the Compact Flouerescent (range from 105w to 200w) ? I have good result using them, even with the common household types (42w), but they don't seem to be very popular. Any thought why?

[PhalPal]

I have Catts and Oncidiums under the lights and my Phlas either 1) under the little wire shelves mentioned earlier with other orchids ON the shelf over them, or 2) to the side of the lights on little humidity trays of their own. Some of my leaves are still a little bit red but handling it okay and spiking. I could always move them away a few more inches at a time.
This is where having a light meter is invaluable. My phlas to the side are at their max of 1,000 - 1,200 fc. Getting these lights is the reason I have ventured in to Catts, and growth on ALL my orchids has increased exponentially.

I did A LOT of shopping and comparison over months if anyone wants to pick my brain about it!

[clarita]

I use cfl's 5000k 85w and 42 w. I prefer them to tubes. Easier to move and are more compact. The results have been spectacular. They have given me the freedom to grow just about anything indoors. I know many people who grow under them. The large cfl's may not be that popular yet because the only economical housing would be a brooder clamp lamp. The bulb sticks out several inches. I still get 8000 -10,000 fc's at a few inches under the bulbs...

[PhalPal]

Good to know Clara! How many plants can you grow under one bulb? (I see an expansion coming)

More on CFLs:

I used a large reflector ( 2' x 1.5' commonly used for metal halide bulb) to house a 125w CF bulb, which is 13" long and still have room to add 4 x 42w CF. This combination gives me a very high density light source without much heat. An added benefit is I can experiment with different light temperature ( 2700K, 4100K or 6500K ) mixed together. 4100K seems to be best: pleasant to the eyes, and the plants like it too!

One thing I notice when grow orchids under CF light: Leaves are not as shiny as under sunlight, but this could be caused by the fertilizer I use?

[clarita]

I haven't noticed a change in leaves from using cfl's. I grow indoors and out. Lanie can you give a link to the refelctor's? Do you need to do any conversion to the reflector.

Phalpal I'm ask alot about how many. orchids can fit. Its a hard question to answer. Depends of light requirements and how many hours a day you want to run the bulbs. I like to close grow so it limits my number. I am also finding myself with some light demanding orchids now too It also limits how many hours a day I have them on.

I get them at light bulbs direct. They have been really super in terms of customer service
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: Light Bulbs Etc, Inc.

[mayres]

I think one of the points we are eventually getting to when comparing T5's with CFL's is not only the cost of the initial fixture(s) and bulbs - but also how many plants can you effectively provide good lighting for. On the initial surface CFL's might seem like a lot cheaper - but once you consider equal square area and quality of lighted area(s) the cost might not be all that different? The T5's give you a broad rectangular area of uniform lighting. Depending upon the wattage, by the time you purchase 3-6 CFL's to get up to 220 watts (equivalent of a 4 tube T5) or so, along with refectors and something to hang them all on how much have you saved? Just a thought?

[exasperatus2002]

When using the t5's how far do you have the lighting unit above your Cattleyas?

[PhalPal]

My Catts are a good 12" below the lights. It makes it very easy to work under the lights there is so much room. The Phals are off to the side of the lights, at least 2.5 feet away from the nearest bulb.

[tom499]

I would still vote CFLs, if you buy the right ones you can get the same light levels without the waste. I use envirolites which are basically energy saving lamps, but of course much more powerful. But even so, due to their design they give out much much less heat, so can be placed a few inches above plants without burning them. Light from bulbs halves every foot, so the closer the plants are the less light you waste. Whats more, these bulbs only give off light at the frequencies plants really want, so again wasting less. As long as your not growing in a windowless cellar then the plants will be fine.

Such low heat levels mean I could build my reflector from some tin foil and carboard, works fine, cost 50p, and doesnt burn

My bulb is a 125Watt and provides enough light for Catts not directly under the bulb to flower, and has boosted all plant growth substantially. They can be bought up to 250watts (possibly more).

More info here: Envirolites indoor hydroponic envirolite grow lights, grow cabinets and reflectors.