Lighting Question

[caboose_122]

could i use compact flouresent lights the energy saver bulbs that you can screw into a normal socket? if i get the 6500k ones could i grow plants? i need to make a new hood and im looking for my options for lights

thanks
alex

 

[KraKen]

You could use them, they're a great alternative to conventional lights, However you might have a hard time finding cfl grow lights, ime I was only able to find them online.

 

[caboose_122]

so a normal day light bulb wont work? or do they have to be grow bulbs?

 

[Themuleous]

I doubt energy saving bulbs will produce enough light to grow plants decently. Which is a shame. If you are worried out electricity, T5s are more efficient than T8's and will produce more light per watt.

Sam

 

[caboose_122]

ok, i was looking for a cheaper solution because its a 6 sided tank with about 18.5 inches from the widest points

 

[Colin_T]

I have used compact fluoros but found they melted in the hood. The actual plastic housing, insides as well as the globes turned into blobs of smelly stuff. In a well ventilated hood they should be ok but most only come in a cool or warm range, 3-5,000K. Some hydroponic shops sell 10,000K compacts but they get expensive.

 

[caboose_122]

i am making the hood out of wood so melting wont be to much worry

 

[Piscator]

I doubt energy saving bulbs will produce enough light to grow plants decently. Which is a shame. If you are worried out electricity, T5s are more efficient than T8's and will produce more light per watt.

NB - T5's also use a higher quality ballast than the T8's.

 

[SuperColey1]

If you are worried out electricity, T5s are more efficient than T8's and will produce more light per watt.

NB - T5's also use a higher quality ballast than the T8's.

These 2 statements are not necessarily true.

The T5 is more efficient in that in conjunction with a reflector more light will be redirected back towards the tank than a T8 with a reflector. Electricity wise 18W of T8 and 18W of T5 are using the same amount of power.

They do of course have more watts per inch of tube so a T5 the same length as a T8 will have more wattage and therefore cost more to run than the T8 but you will need less tubes to reach your target level.

T5s and T8s use the same ballasts. However if you buy a new tank with T5s you will be almost certain that it has an electronic ballast fitted whereas if you buy a tank with T8s fitted in most cases it will have a magnetic ballast.

The magnetic ballast is the type that needs a starter and the light flickers when you turn it on. The electronic ballast runs cooler, requires no starter and has no flicker. It just turns straight on and therefore the tube lasts longer.

I have a T8 in my current tank alongside T5 HOs which runs off an electronic ballast from an old modification I made.

Andy

 

[Piscator]

If you are worried out electricity, T5s are more efficient than T8's and will produce more light per watt.

NB - T5's also use a higher quality ballast than the T8's.

These 2 statements are not necessarily true.

T5s and T8s use the same ballasts. However if you buy a new tank with T5s you will be almost certain that it has an electronic ballast fitted whereas if you buy a tank with T8s fitted in most cases it will have a magnetic ballast.

The magnetic ballast is the type that needs a starter and the light flickers when you turn it on. The electronic ballast runs cooler, requires no starter and has no flicker. It just turns straight on and therefore the tube lasts longer.

That is what I meant when I wrote that the T5's have a "higher quality ballast" than the T8's.

Also, consider that T5 Fluorescent lights have better "Lumen Maintenance" than T8's. In other words, T5's can maintain a constant light output for a longer period than T8 lamps. This is because an improved phosphor coating on T5's reduces mercury absorption - the main cause of lumen depreciation.