Installed new t5 florescent fixture - Orchid Board

Ross · #1 08-23-2008, 04:20 PM

Installed a big "New Wave" fixture - 8 tube 48" t5 florescent. I am using a 50/50 mix of 6500K and 3000K bulbs. My primary use is to grow radish, leaf lettuce, and spinach over the winter, but I thought the light readings were of interest to orchid growers. I just measured 3600 foot candles at the top of planter which is 11" below the lights. This leaves us with a wonderful conclusion: can we grow Cats under t5's? Obviously yes. In fact, just about any orchid I am aware of can be grown under t5, given enough bulbs. Can we burn the leaves of orchids under t5s? Yep!

LinhT · #2 08-23-2008, 05:08 PM

Ross, this is awesome info! You are the MAN! I have a new wave fixture but it's a 4ft 4 tube. Makes me wonder what the readings are at 6 to 8 inches on mine

Ross · #3 08-23-2008, 06:58 PM

My New Wave 4-tube fixture measures 3500 foot candles at 4" outside tank and 2500 foot candles at 6-8" inside tank - just as I would expect. There is lots of filtering with the acrylic and dust, etc. But 3500+ FCs at 11" is awsum, in my mind.

LinhT · #4 08-23-2008, 09:20 PM

Good to know! Wow, that acrylic and dust filters out quite a bit. Must be around 3000 fc without that layer. And yes, 3600 fc at 11 inches is fantastic. That's with over 400W total though right? I'm assuming these are the 4 ft 54W high output T5's?

Ross · #5 08-24-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinhT

Good to know! Wow, that acrylic and dust filters out quite a bit. Must be around 3000 fc without that layer. And yes, 3600 fc at 11 inches is fantastic. That's with over 400W total though right? I'm assuming these are the 4 ft 54W high output T5's?

Yes. Can't wait for the electric bill

LinhT · #6 08-24-2008, 11:59 AM

Ross, you should ask one of the mods to make this thread a sticky. I bet people who are very new to the indoor lighting issue will find this extremely helpful

Brooke · #7 08-24-2008, 04:55 PM

Congrats on the new lights Ross. The T5's are supposed to be great. I've read on other forums of people growing and blooming catts and dens under the fixtures.

Have you ever done a continuous reading on the tubes over several months? Regular T8's lose intensity each time they are turned on and I am wondering if the T5 tubes do also.

Raddish, lettuce, spinach? It's called a grocery store - why waste that beautiful light set up on groceries - you need more orchids :>)

Brooke

Ross · #8 08-24-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooke

Have you ever done a continuous reading on the tubes over several months? Regular T8's lose intensity each time they are turned on and I am wondering if the T5 tubes do also.

Yeah, they do. I label the fixture with the date of last bulb change. I'm not sure how much, but they do lose intensity over a year. I'll be taking measurements end of this year.

John · #9 08-26-2008, 02:33 PM

Hey Ross, how about trying some home grown tomatoes?
John

Ross · #10 08-26-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Hey Ross, how about trying some home grown tomatoes?
John

Normally I would, but this started out as a project to grow organic herbs for a local store. I am going to try the raddish and greens just to get used to the system. If there's any room left over, it goes to orchids.