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05-06-2018, 08:11 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 66
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converting sauna --8 bulb T5 HO --too much?
Planning to convert a sauna that we never use to a grow space. I am thinking I will have one T5HO fixture for the room. There are benches at two levels so I can have orchids at various heights/distances from the light. I would like to grow a high (catts, small vandacious hybrids) medium (oncidium) and low (paphs and phals) by placing them higher or lower under this fixture. The room will comfortably accommodate a 4 foot fixture. I am wondering whether to go with a 8 bulb T5HO fixture. This would be very bright but I would keep the plants at varying distances from the lights. Would appreciate any thoughts/guidance on whether 8 bulbs is just too much . . . .Also, would appreciate any recommendations on vendors.
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05-06-2018, 08:43 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 18,534
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You did say sauna. It will get very hot in there with that technology.
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05-06-2018, 08:55 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2016
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Location: Northern Indiana
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And you are going to love that light, Leafmite!
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05-06-2018, 09:43 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2018
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Yes, sauna, but the heat is turned off! Should have clarified that! It is basically a cedar paneled room with benches, and since it is enclosed I can control humidity and temperature.
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05-06-2018, 09:59 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Zone: 5b
Location: Ohio
Posts: 10,944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dollythehun
And you are going to love that light, Leafmite!
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I took notes when you mentioned it.
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05-07-2018, 03:22 AM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,119
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What distances are you anticipating - light-to-plants - for the various heights?
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05-07-2018, 10:16 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 66
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Ray, thank you for your response. The short answer is that I can control the distances. I have sent you an email with more details about the space. Would so appreciate your guidance!
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05-07-2018, 01:18 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,119
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Email response given, but once you start a thread, you really ought to follow it through to its conclusion, so others may learn from your query and the responses.
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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05-07-2018, 01:55 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Zone: 9b
Location: Phoenix AZ - Lower Sonoran Desert
Posts: 18,534
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dshallpost
Yes, sauna, but the heat is turned off! Should have clarified that! It is basically a cedar paneled room with benches, and since it is enclosed I can control humidity and temperature.
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My point is high-output T5 fluorescent lights (HO T5) generate a lot of heat, perhaps not much less than the built-in sauna heater. If you have that space closed you will need an air conditioner to keep the plants from cooking.
This is why others have recommended LED lighting, which runs cooler, and can be more efficient/lose less energy to heat. Most of those have a built-in inverter to convert from the wall AC to the DC they use, and that also generates heat.
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