Going on vacation. Help!!! - Orchid Board

stompy · #1 11-27-2018, 02:28 PM

Need some advice from the group regarding a potential problem. I will be away from home all of January. Most of my plants are in semi-hydro and I have a friend come in once a week and water them if needed. My problem is lights. I grow all my plants under 100% LED lighting (accept my phals). I don't feel comfortable having them run (they are on a timer) while I'm away for so long. Too risky. I plan to move all the plants close to what window space I have left close to where I have the phals. The phals get some window light but its very minimal. They are however happy and have bloomed. Will I come back home to dead plants? Should I look for a alternative option? Asking a neighbor is out (not doable where I live). I'm mostly worried about my Catts and other high light plants. Advice please

mook1178 · #2 11-27-2018, 02:57 PM

I don't see a problem if the lights are on a timer. Why don't you want to run them while you are gone?

stompy · #3 11-27-2018, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mook1178

I don't see a problem if the lights are on a timer. Why don't you want to run them while you are gone?

Paranoid about a electrical short and fire. I have been debating getting a security cam though

mook1178 · #4 11-27-2018, 03:15 PM

Unless they were a custom build by a novice, there's not much to worry about. I ran LEDs on my reef tank with no problem for years. If you've had them for a few months and no issues again I wouldn't worry.

Realistically, they're as safe as leaving your fridge plugged in, probably safer. They draw a lot less energy than a fridge.

plantzzzzz · #5 11-27-2018, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mook1178

Unless they were a custom build by a novice, there's not much to worry about.

I just became much more anxious about my DIY LED lighting.

mook1178 · #6 11-27-2018, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plantzzzzz

I just became much more anxious about my DIY LED lighting.

If your confident, had instructions, followdd them carefully, and have been running with no issues for a while. I wouldn't worry.

I only said that, because I have never heard of them having issues and that's the only way I think they would. More often than not I think electrical fire have more to do with the internal wiring and not the device.

stompy · #7 11-27-2018, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mook1178

Unless they were a custom build by a novice, there's not much to worry about. I ran LEDs on my reef tank with no problem for years. If you've had them for a few months and no issues again I wouldn't worry.

Realistically, they're as safe as leaving your fridge plugged in, probably safer. They draw a lot less energy than a fridge.

Mine are commercial bought. I have 2 of them connected to a smart multi socket cord which is plugged in to the wall socket. The lights are controlled through a app. I have been confident enough to leave them be while at work but have never been away more than a weekend. Which is why I'm nervous