Lighting for a small setup

[Longroots]

Hi,

I'm looking for some artificial light advice. I can't really fit tubes, and am relying on panels and bulbs. I heard this was a bulb that has been quite successful and would fit with my small, less than 2ft wide setup. I have 2 small shelves and low table, that I want to grow different light orchids on. My current highest light orchid is a cattelaya. If you recommend a panel, it would need to be a max of a foot wide to fit in between the shelving brackets.

SANSI 36W LED Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants, E27 Daylight Full Spectrum LED Plant Light Bulb, Sunlight White Grow Light Lamp for Indoor Plant Garden Farming Greenhouse: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

[wisdomseeker]

Took a quick glance at the bulb you referenced (along with the specs). Should grow plants just fine. I notice that the beam angle is 60 degrees.

Finding a "plug & play" panel with the dimensions you mention might be difficult. A 'do-it-yourself' panel might be another possible option.

Don't know what kind of budget you are working with, and I'm not quite sure about the size of the growing area that you are working with. Where you hang the light/lights (eg., height above plant canopy, etc.) will affect intensity and spread. For short distances, up to 24 inches, I personally like using 120 degree LEDs (usually a panel design with many diodes) for better overall spread.

A link that can be useful for light spread (just enter a few known numbers): LED Lighting Beam Angle Calculator. It may be of help if you decide to go with the SANSI bulb/bulbs.

As to making your own panel... it might not be too hard to do (if you have some basic skills). You could use something like these (the 280mm size) Horticulture Linear | SAMSUNG LED | Samsung LED Global Website with an inexpensive constant current LED driver, along with an inexpensive heatsink (could be a simple 1/8" thick aluminum sheet cut to size). You can get as sexy and/or as complicated as you want when going the DIY route.


Late note: a couple more options (beside the Samsung mentioned above) that I have used for DIY panel projects (very good light spectrum, CRI, and efficacy).
Thrive™ | Bridgelux, Inc. LED Lighting
https://www.bridgelux.com/sites/defa...%20Rev%20A.pdf
https://bridgelux.com/sites/default/...%20Rev%20A.pdf
Price point of these are decent. Have performed very well with growing orchids & tillandsia.

Another option:
ABSOLUTE SERIES™ LED Linear Module - 99 CRI - 1 ft / 280 mm MCPCB– Waveform Lighting
Somewhat pricey. For intensity purposes, several of these need to be used. But, I really like the CRI of these (although 99 CRI may be a bit of a stretch).

Panels can also be built without using 'strip type' LEDs. I have used many different small COB diodes (for light panels) with very good results. My go to was usually Cree because of easy access and cost. Have been using these recently and really like them.
https://www.bridgelux.com/sites/defa...%20Rev%20A.pdf

[Clawhammer]

Can you share a pic of your grow space?

[Orchidtinkerer]

That is actually a very powerful bulb for most orchids. Even for Vanda's it would need to be hung a minimum of half a meter or 2 feet above the plants - MINIMUM

I would recommend you look at one of these instead, the smallest light is what I use for my Cattleya's

Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED Bar | Swell Reptiles

It is amongst the most efficient LED light you can buy, it is a bit more expensive but the light will last twice as long and it is more efficient so it will use less power to run.

The smallest is an 15 watt tube (1foot) but it uses 18watts and is as efficient as a 30 watt equivalent to your bulb.

Your 36watter would have to be hung so high you would lose half the light due to the light diminishing effect - it would only be good for very high light loving plants which orchids are not.

I think the arcadia jungle dawn would suit your purposes better and you will be surprised at how bright even the smallest tube is.

Edit: I just noticed the smallest tube is out of stock but you should be able to find it elsewhere or wait till it is back in stock. It is obviously a very popular light. I can vouch for it 100% you will not be disappointed if you can find one.

Ps: I still hang it very high above my plants, if you want something that can be hung less high have a look at aquarium lighting instead:

ueetek Lamp Energy Saving 9 W E27 LED to fit all the Fish of the sheath and the Box of Aquarium Fish (White): Amazon.co.uk: Lighting

I know 4 x 9Watt bulbs will work out more expensive than 1x 36Watt bulb but the 9W bulbs will cover a much wider area and are far more suited for orchids than an intense spotlight bulb like yours

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

Can you share a pic of your grow space?

yes, this would be the most helpful for giving recommendations.

Give some more info also, like how you plan on watering.

[Longroots]

Hope people are still watching this thread.

I'll attach a grow space picture, forgive the lights they're literally what I had on hand.

I also found this bulb, it's more powerful but I think as it's a tube, it'll disperse better. I was planning on getting a cymbidium sometime for the bottom table. I'd have one tube below the shelves. The top shelf would have a lamp for lower light orchids I'll sort later

2 x ENERGIZER HighTech T8 Led Tube - Retrofit Fluorescent Tube Replacement - Includes Starter (2ft - 600mm 9w (18w Replacement), 6000k - Daylight): Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

[Orchidtinkerer]

Hi longroots, yes I am still following this thread and noticed you completely ignored my answer but I will carry on regardless and point out the latest bulb you have found needs a fluorescent starter kit and those are ~£25 so you are looking at ~£35 if you get that LED bar as you won't be able to light it without a T8 light unit.

(one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcadia-ACR...7&sr=8-11&th=1) you will notice it has a little white "knob" sticking out the top, this is the starter unit that your light mentions to replace with the led starter

[Longroots]

Hi, sorry orchidtinkerer, I checked back after over a day and just missed your reply I think. I found a fitting that I thought would be fine for the T8 bulbs:
SINGLE 2FT 10W T8 LED READY Batten Fitting - LampShopOnlline Ltd

Would these not suffice?

The bulbs will be close to the plants, about 8 inches on the first shelf and about 10 inches for the table.

Thanks!

[wisdomseeker]

Originally Posted by Orchidtinkerer;951886 [url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcadia-ACR30-Vivarium-Controller-Watt/dp/B002UDTYQG/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=t8%2Bkit&qid=1614954 687&sr=8-11&th=1

Amazon.co.uk[/url]) you will notice it has a little white "knob" sticking out the top, this is the starter unit that your light mentions to replace with the led starter

Originally Posted by Longroots

Hope people are still watching this thread. I'll attach a grow space picture, forgive the lights they're literally what I had on hand.
2 x ENERGIZER HighTech T8 Led Tube - Retrofit Fluorescent Tube Replacement - Includes Starter (2ft - 600mm 9w (18w Replacement), 6000k - Daylight): Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home

They might both work for your applications.

Originally Posted by wisdomseeker

Don't know what kind of budget you are working with, and I'm not quite sure about the size of the growing area that you are working with.

Originally Posted by Longroots

Hi,I'm looking for some artificial light advice. I can't really fit tubes, and am relying on panels and bulbs.

The reason I initially bit the bait dangling on the hook.

[Longroots]

The reason I initially bit the bait dangling on the hook.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I didn't think I'd be able to install tube fitting but I think I may! Also they seem like they're cheaper so... Bonus