Lights online
 

Do any of you folks purchase your lights online? The local stores don't carry any T5 lights in anything higher than 4100k. I'd rather purchase the light and ballast together so I don't purchase a light I don't need.

Basically, I have 4 phals that need more light. I was looking at a 1 lamp system (unless I can find a 2 for not much more) that is 2 ft. I've done quite a few net searches but tons of lighting systems out there.

Take a look at First Ray's, that's where I got mine.

I build my own from parts I get at home depo ...65 watt pl tubes and a electroninc ballast that will run two of these tubes..the ballast I a ho ballast and can run from a 2 48 watt tubes to 2 98 watt tubes...

everything is doing great under them

Neither of my Lowes or Home Depot stock just the ballast here. I can order them though except my wife freaks out about wiring together stuff so I want to order a kit. I know it cost more but peace is cheap. Lol

Should I go for a 2 bulb system? I'm going to probably get up to ten plants in the future so would a one bulb supply enough light?

Lots of sources really. I'm a computer builder myself, so I found my Hydrofarm T5 setups at Newegg.com. Ray's got some good stuff, as he stocks hydrofarm stuff at wholesale price, so he'll have anything they sell really, 2/4/6/8 bulb setups at 2' or 4'. Hope that helps.

This is the link to Ray's; Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra

As to how many lights to get, if you plan on getting many new orchids in the future I would say that it's best to get the largest fixture you can afford. It's probably cheaper to get a 2 bulb fixture, then to buy a single one now, then buying another later on.

Also you don't get the same watts/lumens from a 2 foot fixture as from a 4 foot. 4100k might be as high as 2 foot bulbs go. My 4 foot fixture bulbs are 6500k.

As far as I know, the wattage/ lumen output have no relation with the color temperature of a light. So normally you should be able to find any length of tubes in the same range of color K.

Thanks for the recommendations, folks.

To clarify, I don't stock the lights, I have them drop-shipped from the nearest Hydrofarm location to you to save on shipping costs (close to me in PA, Norcal, Socal,, CO, TX, or FL).