Hydrofarm EnviroGrow T5 4FT 8 Tube Fixture

[jmmehler]

So now that we have migrated toward 'practical application' of lights, here are some of my set-up highlights.

I purchased several 72x48x15 stainless steel shelf units (with casters). I only use 3 of the 6 shelves. One at the very top, one at the very bottom, and one in the middle.

I have lined the middle and bottom shelves with very porous 12 x 12 tiles, and cut (and notched) them to completely cover the shelves, and allow for the upright posts on each of the four corners. I have also cut nothces to allow for clips and hooks.

I set them up in two rows, 4 feet (shelf length) apart.
The commercial shelving companies sell a type of flat, stainless steel hook, designed for the shelves. These allow you to hang additional shelves on the shelves of facing units.

Using 1/4 inch para-cord and one single, one double pulley, and one ratchet pulley, I have rigged a system for hanging the fluorescent fixtures that allow me to raise and lower the lights as needed.

I do not use the para-cord set up on the shelves hanging between the two end units. Here, I have installed an 8 lamp fixture, above the top shelf, and I have hung over a dozen plants beneath the lights. I vary the height using different sized hooks, and my own invention that I call The Orchid Sling. It is a very pliable contraption made out of stainless steel airline cable.

I have vertically hung another shelve along the back of this setup, creating a kind of grid on which I hang the fern mounted plants.

On the middle shelf, underneath the hanging plants, I have placed the low light plants.

Watering can be a challenge. Primarily, I use a spayer (So-Lo) that comes with an extendable (up to 2 ft) wand. this allows me to reach the rear-most plants. I mist/water this way once or twice a day.

[Tschimm]

Thanks for this post.
Could you upload some pictures ?

[Gio555]

Thank you all for your precious hints

I will keep you informed!

---------- Post added at 09:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Tschimm

Thanks for this post.
Could you upload some pictures ?

Yeah, interesting set up Jmmehler!
Can we see some photos?

[jmmehler]

1st Picture, circled in red are the stainless steel hooks supporting the shelf between two end units. Circled in blue is one of the hooks supporting a shelf in vertical position as a grid. Circled in green, is a single pulley at one end for adjusting the lights




2nd picture double pulley, attached to ratchet pulley.



3rd Picture, circled in red cut-out for the post, and notch for the clip to the light's ratchet pulley



4th picture, fluorescent fixture at a low level

[Gio555]

Great job Jmmehler, truly inspiring!

[Gio555]

Hi there!

The fixture is now running for 2 weeks, 14 hours a day.





I have measured 1230 fc over the bothanic phals and 1950 fc over the catts.

Orchids seems to be happy, but I think there is too much lights for the "commercial" phals, they begin to show very reddish leaves, I have to move them away.

[jmmehler]

Would love to know where you got that long tray. My phals are under a 4' 4 lamp T5 HO fixtures, just barely 4 - 6 inches above the leaf tips. I blast them about 12 hours a day and mist them twice a day.

Love the reddish 'sun tan' they develop. Most have developed the most monstrous sets of roots, both aerial and in the clear pots. Nice fat bloom spikes starting to emerge from the first batch that I cooled for about 5 weeks.

Once the spikes start approaching the lights, I either raise the light, or move them to another fixture that is at a higher level.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by jmmehler

Would love to know where you got that long tray.

Hydrofarm sells an array of hydroponic flood tables, and their low rise ones (available in 2' x 4', 3' x 3', 4' x 4', & 4' x 8') look like they might meet your needs.

(I am a discount reseller of their stuff, too.)