T5 HO setup 4 bulb vs. 8 bulb.
 

Hey All,
I haven't posted for a while (new baby). I am gearing up for the Atlanta Orchid Show at the botanical gardens. I have been using t8s with great success except for my neos. I want to step it up to t5 HOs. My question is......Is it worth the extra $100 to get the 8 bulb over the 4 bulb? My interest are species phals, aerangis, neos, and some other miniature vanda types. There is a local hydroponics store selling the 4 bulb 44" SunBlaze bank for $179 and the 8 bulb 48" for $299. Both include bulbs. Any help you can give would be appreciated and would help me justify the cost to my wife(she doesn't understand my sickness). One more thing, what are your thoughts on the Sunblaze brand and do you think the prices are reasonable at my local store?
thanks,
Neil

Here is a link for a better price ($274.00) on the 4ft 8-bulb Sunblaze unit and it includes bulbs and shipping! I'll let the experts answer your question on is it worth the extra money for the 8-bulb instead of the 4 bulb. I only have the 2ft 8 bulb fixture and wish I would have gone with the 4ft, but the 2ft size fit my exo-terra better.

Neil, the answer to your question must ultimately come from you, but here are some things to consider.

How wide is your display? If your shelf is only 12", then the 4-tube fixture will do fine. If it is wider, then the 8-tube fixture provides wider light source. Both fixtures output the same lumens per tube.

While the 8-tube fixture will measure twice the lumens of the 4-tube fixture on most light meters, that can be misleading. I won't bore you with the technical stuff, just that the 8-tube will cover a wider display and be better for a larger collection.

Either one will provide a stronger light source than the t8, thus be prepared to hang the fixture further from the plants or you risk burning the leaves. After the plants get accustomed to the strength of the light source, you can lower it (closer to leaves) if need be. I doubt for the genera you listed, that close is important.

I use both sizes for different reasons. In the end, the cost of the fixture is soon forgotten. The cost of replacing tubes becomes pretty much your only annual cost. Replacing 8 tubes is obviously twice the cost of 4.

Hope these thoughts help in making your decision. Either fixture will be significantly brighter than your t8 fixtures.

Thanks Becca and Ross. Ross, I read most of your post on the subject and had a good idea but thanks for the advice. My shelf is the standard 4 shelf 4ft wide x 2ft deep. I will post some pictures of my new setup when its done.
Neil

I got the 54 watt 8 bulb t5 ho bulb outfit on my orchidaceshotelium. I flowered my neofinetia falcata in there. the price was $289. Very well worth the money. the orchidaceahotelium i built is 4'x4'x2'