newbie needs help lighting a 55 gallon

[bbqman]

I'm new to terrariums but very experienced with orchids. I want to make a life-like setting using a 55 gallon aquarium or slightly larger, depending on what I can find on Craigslist or whatever. I'm not in a hurry and doing my research nightly. I'm pretty confidant on what I'd like to do and try but lighting seems to be my biggest hurdle understanding. Everyone talks formulas about lumens, watts, height, candles, etc ...but I'm having hard time with it for some reason. I'm going to be trying to keep higher light species that require higher Rh. But of course keep neat lower light plants under the shady places. I understand the theory since I am a reef keeper but I feel like such a novice(I am!) with my new project. I like the idea of LED's and see so many... but the lingo from florescent/MH to LED seems to confuse me.
I've seen a few websites like Fluence bio, beamswork, etc, and have no idea what the heck I need. These guys seem a little simpler but I have no idea if what they offer is sufficient. Custom LED lights for Vivariums, Terrariums and Aquariums – Spectral Designs ? any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Jim

[orion141]

I just bought a light set from Kurt at spectral designs for my new terrarium after I read all of the great reviews regarding his product (at dendroboard and here). I have seen many posts of plants grown with his lights. I obviously can’t comment first hand regarding how well my plants will grow haha (at least not yet) but the product looks fantastic and he is very responsive.

[Ray]

Jim, there are just so many options for lighting, it's hard to know where to start, but I'd definitely stick with LEDs.

The depth of a 55 isn't that great, so unless the lights are elevated above the top, there won't be that much difference in intensity, top to bottom, making your combo of high- and low light plants tough. Zones with different lighting, maybe?

[bbqman]

Originally Posted by Ray

Jim, there are just so many options for lighting, it's hard to know where to start, but I'd definitely stick with LEDs.

The depth of a 55 isn't that great, so unless the lights are elevated above the top, there won't be that much difference in intensity, top to bottom, making your combo of high- and low light plants tough. Zones with different lighting, maybe?

thanks for the reply Ray. I understand about the intensity and will add lower light plants to the shadier area once they become apparent. I'm not talking about low light plants just some plants the I can add to the areas with lower light. Like under plants with large leaves and such. I'm ok with what to do as far as plants. I just am not sure about LED's in general. I'm an old school reef tank guy who's used to having a row of metal halides with a few rows of actinics. When I look at the websites like I mentioned above, they don't use the same "language" Like this light here had 6500k - I understand that...but the rest leaves me hanging.

46" x 12" LED Light Strip Panel – Spectral Designs

It might be great or it might be junk... I have no idea. 120watt? red and blue diodes?

[MarinaDC]

I grow mostly cattleyas exclusively under LEDs. Look at full spectrum daylight grow fixtures on amazon and click on accompanying images for each product to see umol/m2^s specs. Cattleyas do well at about 500-600.
Also, take a look at this conversion chart. It might be helpful to a reefer I am one, too

https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/co...n-ppfd-to-lux/

[bbqman]

Originally Posted by MarinaDC

I grow mostly cattleyas exclusively under LEDs. Look at full spectrum daylight grow fixtures on amazon and click on accompanying images for each product to see umol/m2^s specs. Cattleyas do well at about 500-600.
Also, take a look at this conversion chart. It might be helpful to a reefer I am one, too

https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/co...n-ppfd-to-lux/

Thank you. Catts do ok in 500 - 600 umol/m2 (cant figure out to post an up arrow)s. That's the kind of info I need more of even if its a ball park #.


unfortunitly lots of lights seem to be rated umol/s like these

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Grow-L.../dp/B07HJVV4Z7

---------- Post added at 04:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 AM ----------

Originally Posted by orion141

I just bought a light set from Kurt at spectral designs for my new terrarium after I read all of the great reviews regarding his product (at dendroboard and here). I have seen many posts of plants grown with his lights. I obviously can’t comment first hand regarding how well my plants will grow haha (at least not yet) but the product looks fantastic and he is very responsive.

I wish he believed in specs though.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by bbqman

Thank you. Catts do ok in 500 - 600 umol/m2 (cant figure out to post an up arrow)s. That's the kind of info I need more of even if its a ball park #.


unfortunitly lots of lights seem to be rated umol/s like these

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Grow-L.../dp/B07HJVV4Z7

---------- Post added at 04:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 AM ----------



I wish he believed in specs though.

Full sunlight at noon at the equator has a photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of 2000 µmol/sq m/sec, equivalent to 10200 foot-candles, or 108000 lux. As most orchid culture guides give the light requirements in FC, just divide that by 5 for the equivalent PPF.

However, those guides offer the peak light level to which the plant be exposed, and NOT the light level it should be continuously under, as in when using artificial light. For that, those recommendation should be cut in half.

[Swimmingorchids]

natural sunlight is always best. If you can supplement that with lighting - that is your best option and you won't have to worry about lumens, lux or foot candles too much.

If you don't use any natural lighting you have to realize that no artificial lighting is as good yet.

Whatever you do - avoid blue and red led's- they produce growth but it is stressed growth - deformed and from my research makes plants produce keikis ( can be seen as good or bad I suppose)

I will list the lights I have used in the order of my preference (however not on orchids yet!):

1. full spectrum white light LED's
2. T5 fluorescent tubes
3. Ikea Vaxer LED Grow lights
4. High Pressure Sodium bulbs
5. Compact Fluoresents
7. Metal Halide bulbs
8. Red and Blue LED's


One thing people rarely talk about when recommending these bulbs is the costs associated with them.

I have listed HPS bulbs at nr 4 however they come in 250 watt models minimum so will use 250 watts of electricity. A full spectrum white light quantum board can be placed far far closer to the plants as they don't produce much heat compared to the hps. I find 50 watts of a good LED at a closer distance can outperform a 250 watt hps at further distance due to the heat which will use 5 times more elctricity in a year.

The problem is the technology is so new I barely know what is actually in these light fixtures but there is a difference between a full spectrum led that emits all colours of the rainbow compared to just blue and red diodes which lack green yellow etc which have just recently been shown to be important for plant growth too.

---------- Post added at 02:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:17 PM ----------

Originally Posted by bbqman

46" x 12" LED Light Strip Panel – Spectral Designs

It might be great or it might be junk... I have no idea. 120watt? red and blue diodes?

For the price I would recommend this lamp. Red and blue led's are beneficial as long as they are supplemented by other lights - the white's which are more expensive so for the price I think that light looks pretty good.

It looks like the wattage can be dialed down to find the perfect amount of light your plants will need. Go for it.

---------- Post added at 02:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by bbqman

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Grow-L.../dp/B07HJVV4Z7

[


.

WE can't even buy lights like that over the pond here yet. That thing looks like the daddy!

CRI of 95 is very good, basically anything close to 100 will be as close to natural light as you can get as you can see from their charts and graphs.

Can't see the price over in america, all you need to work out is whether you would prefer the 120 watt quantum board for $180 or get those amazon tubes which are the best quality light you could provide but I cannot see the price - since they are 22 watts - 6 of them would probably be a lot pricier than the board with added blue and red. Ah I found the price - 4 of them for $120 ?!? That is ridiculously cheap! I will have to look into trying to source them over here

[bbqman]

Originally Posted by Ray

Full sunlight at noon at the equator has a photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) of 2000 µmol/sq m/sec, equivalent to 10200 foot-candles, or 108000 lux. As most orchid culture guides give the light requirements in FC, just divide that by 5 for the equivalent PPF.

However, those guides offer the peak light level to which the plant be exposed, and NOT the light level it should be continuously under, as in when using artificial light. For that, those recommendation should be cut in half.

Ray I love it.. you're the mad scientist and I nail a shomburgkia to a tree hope it rains...LOL. ( I literally do) somehow I will learn this.

[

---------- Post added at 06:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:45 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Swimmingorchids

natural sunlight is always best. If you can supplement that with lighting - that is your best option and you won't have to worry about lumens, lux or foot candles too much.

If you don't use any natural lighting you have to realize that no artificial lighting is as good yet.

Whatever you do - avoid blue and red led's- they produce growth but it is stressed growth - deformed and from my research makes plants produce keikis ( can be seen as good or bad I suppose)

I will list the lights I have used in the order of my preference (however not on orchids yet!):

1. full spectrum white light LED's
2. T5 fluorescent tubes
3. Ikea Vaxer LED Grow lights
4. High Pressure Sodium bulbs
5. Compact Fluoresents
7. Metal Halide bulbs
8. Red and Blue LED's


One thing people rarely talk about when recommending these bulbs is the costs associated with them.

I have listed HPS bulbs at nr 4 however they come in 250 watt models minimum so will use 250 watts of electricity. A full spectrum white light quantum board can be placed far far closer to the plants as they don't produce much heat compared to the hps. I find 50 watts of a good LED at a closer distance can outperform a 250 watt hps at further distance due to the heat which will use 5 times more elctricity in a year.

The problem is the technology is so new I barely know what is actually in these light fixtures but there is a difference between a full spectrum led that emits all colours of the rainbow compared to just blue and red diodes which lack green yellow etc which have just recently been shown to be important for plant growth too.

---------- Post added at 02:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:17 PM ----------



For the price I would recommend this lamp. Red and blue led's are beneficial as long as they are supplemented by other lights - the white's which are more expensive so for the price I think that light looks pretty good.

It looks like the wattage can be dialed down to find the perfect amount of light your plants will need. Go for it.

---------- Post added at 02:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------



WE can't even buy lights like that over the pond here yet. That thing looks like the daddy!

CRI of 95 is very good, basically anything close to 100 will be as close to natural light as you can get as you can see from their charts and graphs.

Can't see the price over in america, all you need to work out is whether you would prefer the 120 watt quantum board for $180 or get those amazon tubes which are the best quality light you could provide but I cannot see the price - since they are 22 watts - 6 of them would probably be a lot pricier than the board with added blue and red. Ah I found the price - 4 of them for $120 ?!? That is ridiculously cheap! I will have to look into trying to source them over here

I cant figure out how to respond properly so here goes. I'm sorry - new here.

*first of all thank you for the reply.
*wattage is something I need to look in to. watts/gallon watts/ sq. ft. etc
* I understand CRI but still need to underatnd and
hard to see umol/2^s on lots of sites....Ugg

[MarinaDC]

Originally Posted by bbqman

Thank you. Catts do ok in 500 - 600 umol/m2 (cant figure out to post an up arrow)s. That's the kind of info I need more of even if its a ball park #.


unfortunitly lots of lights seem to be rated umol/s like these

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Grow-L.../dp/B07HJVV4Z7[COLOR="Silver"]

.

This is the fixture that I have. If you click on the images to the left, you will see intensity measurements at different heights

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Flowering pseudobulbs were grown under this light from start to finish, so I know it works for my needs.