Lights question

Please help me with the lights decisions. I would like to use t5 HO bulbs.

Will the hydrofarm T5 fixture - 4ft 4 tubes
be enough to light up the tank of the following dimensions:
width = 75 inch
depth = 28 inch
hight = 34 inch
standing in pretty dark corner in the basement,
if the fixture will be resting right on the top lid?
The plants are supposed to be phalaenopsis standing on different levels to utilize the space better, some hanging on the walls.

Thanks a lot.

[31drew31]

That will be plenty of light for the Phals (maybe even too strong), except probably on the ends.

Does the hydrofarm fixture have a good reflector? This is as important as the lights and fixtures themselves.

[silken]

I agree, plenty if not too much light.

I am not sure how to define a good reflector, total newb in the lighting business, sorry.

Just searched for "grow lights" and hydrofarm came up.
What would you suggest as a good reflector fixture for T5 bulbs?
Thanks.

Also, given that the tank is 75 inch wide and fixture is only 48 inch wide, should it be placed in the center (I mean light fixture)?

[Shiffdaddy]

Yeah Phals dont really need that much light, also if you see they are getting too much just move them farther away from the lamp and voila!

[zxyqu]

Ugh, for the most part this should be pretty sufficient. I think a 34" height will be the biggest problem, as you'll unlikely get more than 600-800 Fcs at the bottom. An you may not get that much. The width especially adds to the problem as those on the side may need a supplemental 2' 2 bulb unit, with the main unit supporting the rest.
Honesty it should be plenty and you'll get good growth. But, while phals don't mind lower light, they do better when light is a touch higher (flower count, pods especially). For example, my 4' 4 bulb unit is about 20-26" above my plants. 8" more and I'd cut the Fcs in half almost. So i might consider raising the plants up a bit. Just my 2 cents.

Raising is do-able.

I was planning to create several levels lengthwise in the ladder style going from tallest on the back to lowest on the front, so foliage wil have some space.

Would getting three 2 feet-4 tubes fixtures be better?
Thanks again.

[zxyqu]

Probably, but it's tough to say. How wide are the units? You really want the end of the light to be close to the ends of the area it covers. With Phals, you get lucky, as they can suffer a bit less light, but not too much. Like I said the depth the light has to cover is more an issue, and is compounded by the lack of full side coverage. If you can raise the plants a bit, and rotate them through your area so they all get an equal coverage, I think you'll be fine. I do like the idea of the 3 2' units, but it might be more cost effective to just get an additional 2' 2 bulb unit to supplement one end, than 3 individual units (That's what I did, and it was cheaper).

After some running around the house with measuring tape I got slightly smaller tank:
60 X 22 X 22 inches.




Now 4 feet 4 tubes should be better, right?
Hydrofarm has two types of this fixture enviro-grow and designer, which one is better for my tank?

What about LED lights? I saw round fixture called UFO that supposed to cover 6 X 6 feet area. Did anybody try it?

Thanks a lot.