lighting question

[Troy7180]

Is a 150 hps too much for paphs and zygos?

[Ray]

Not if you keep them far enough away.

[Troy7180]

Alright thanks. The sun system is cheap enough, ill check it out.

[Ray]

Most folks go with T5 fluorescents or LEDs these days, as less of the energy consumed is converted to heat, so you can move them closer to the plants, and the color or the light and the color rendition is far better, resulting in a far more efficient and pleasant setup.

[DavidCampen]

Yes, if you are going to go out and buy fixtures, at the 100 to 200 watt level, T5 fluorescent will be better than HPS. HPS does not become more efficient than T5 fluorescent until you start using bulbs of 600+ watts. A 150 watt HPS is probably less efficient than T5 fluorescent. Also with HPS the light is a bit too concentrated - you get a small very bright area and outside that the light rapidly dims; this is why growers that use HPS often employ motorized light movers to slowly move the HPS light back and forth along a track.

[Troy7180]

Thanks guys, after some reading t5 will be my choice. The lights I have seen on tracks or spinners werent lighting orchids. Lol