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  #1  
Old 09-04-2008, 05:19 PM
CodiMN CodiMN is offline
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Default shine a little light on me

The days are getting shorter in Minnesota and it's time to prepare myself for WINTER!!!

When you grow indoors, what is your favorite type of artificial light that you use? Where did you purchase your light source? Was it easy to install?
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  #2  
Old 09-04-2008, 05:33 PM
kavanaru kavanaru is offline
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Hi carolyn,

I cannot tell you where to buy what you need in the USA...However, I can give you my feedback in light source, based on my own experience: I also grow indoors. I have tried both T8 and T5 tubes, in both cases trying to have a good balance in Light Temperature: half of the lamps with cool light (e.g. 4000K) and the other half with warm or daylight (e.g. 6000K) - or the closest values you get to these ones. The idea is to get a good balance of the light sptectrum. Normally you get adviced to use the ration 2 or 3 cool to 1 warm light lamp, which is optimal (I have it for the Cattleyas, where I have 4 T5 installed). However, I have found that a ration 1:1 also works fine (have another set-up with only two lamps)

Depending on your plants, I would choose T5 (more light!) or T8 (good for phals and low light plants, however I have one Epicattleya that seems to be happy under T8: see Pic 1 of the calendar 2009 poll)

Normally, I let the lamps on for 8h per day. Mid-Winter I increase it to 10h!

Don't buy those lamps especially made for plants and bla-bla-bla... indeed they are good, but normally quite expensive, and you obtained the same (or better) effect with normal lamps as explainned above.
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  #3  
Old 09-04-2008, 05:51 PM
kavanaru kavanaru is offline
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oops! I forgot to add that you should try use the fluorescent tubes with the highest Watts you can get and adapt to your display (normally, the largest the tube, the highest the Watts)
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  #4  
Old 09-04-2008, 05:55 PM
Ross Ross is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CodiMN View Post
The days are getting shorter in Minnesota and it's time to prepare myself for WINTER!!!

When you grow indoors, what is your favorite type of artificial light that you use? Where did you purchase your light source? Was it easy to install?
OK, you've hit my "hot button"

Here is my choice of supply: New Wave T5 Light, New Wave Florescent Grow Light, New Wave Fluorescent Growing Light, New Wave High Output T5 Lighting, Low Profile New Wave Grow Lights I have a 4-tube and an 8 tube units. I also buy my lights from them. Great source (in my mind.)
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  #5  
Old 09-04-2008, 06:00 PM
LinhT LinhT is offline
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Hey Carolyn!

Go with the T5 fixture Ross recommended. We have a local hydroponics store in the Twin Cities that sells the New Wave and Tek lights.
This is where they're located...
About Us - Interior Gardens Hydroponics and Grow Light Supply

I just got 3 light fixtures from them. Very helpful place.
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