Beware that recommended light levels for orchids are typically listed as the average high during a day of varying intensity. In other words, although catts are thought to appreciate 3000fc, 16 hours of 3000fc will probably be excessive. (the sun moves around the sky and light levels rise and fall)
Just a few tips which might help you digest the wealth of information both here and online:
Light tubes come in different sizes, described based upon the diameter of the tube. T12 = 1.5", T8 = 1", T5 = 0.5".
Compact fluorescents are the curly bulbs (compared to regular lightbulbs with the filament, also called incandescent). They have a
listed wattage (how much power they actually consume) and a
wattage EQUIVALENT (comparable light levels to an incandescent of said wattage). For instance, a CFL can be listed as 23watts, but as a 100W equivalent (ie it uses 23watts of power, but is as bright as a 100watt incandescent light bulb). Just so you know, a 100W incandescent is not bright enough to grow anything!
Light is emitted in various colour temperatures, measured in Kelvin. It seems like plants like around 5000K. Sometimes the number is not listed, and instead bulbs are described as warm or cool., or soft white, daylight etc... (aka not helpful information!)
Check it out
So in the end, when choosing lights you must be aware of:
1) Wattage
2) Colour temperature
3) Type (CFL, T5, T8, T12)
It's an oversimplification, but it is sufficient in choosing decent lights. good luck!
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