CheapboatKev - lighting question.

[Kiwi Phil]

I need an opinion re light to grow plants.

This is what I have - plenty of light from above

Then the crop on the top grows to this

And the crop underneath gets this much light - although it is saleable, the lack of light slows growth and development and output.

After a lot of research I am led to believe I have 2 options.

1. Orchid Growers advise I use T8 twin 36w Fluro with tubes giving 6500K would be the most economical and productive light. They are $4.90 a pair.

2. A whole-saler recommends I use Growlux Tubes at $32 a pair.

Keep in mind I need 200 tubes.

In nice and simple terms, what would be your opinion on this.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Orchids?................HMMMMMMMMM!

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Orchids?................HMMMMMMMMM!

Sorry, I make that mistake every time.
Cheers
phillip

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Sorry, I make that mistake every time.
Cheers
phillip

Just having a little fun Phillip!

DP

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

HIYA Kiwi!
Glad you are done with all that flooding..you are done?

Will the T8s be in a 2 lamp fixture? 4 lamp?
that is a LOT of fixtures, a lot of ballasts..
How do you plan on mounting the tubes?
How many sq feet?
I am leaning towards HID/HPS grow lights on mobile poles, the initial cost per lamp may be a bit more compared to the tubes, but they cover a much larger area..

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Sorry..
Just took a good look at your set up..:facepalm:
I see the multi level beds you have..
The cheaper T8s..do you know the blue & red output in Nm?

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Yep, floods were exactly 1 year back. I lost income (no sales for maybe 6 weeks) but of course the costs rolled on. It is history now.

The T8's will be twins.
Not sure, but sparkie says he will work out how to raise and lower - but this will be minimal - apparantly best at approx 12" above crop, and fancy basils will grow 12". Lemon balm 8". Cress 6", so not a great deal of movement.

Tables are 1.8m wide and 9m long, BUT outside 25% of tables get enough natural light, the inside (50%) is short. Then comes the big variable, when I remove the crop from above, the light increases massively.

These are the T8's I have been recommended "Osram Daylight tubes, T8, 32W 6500K (full spectrum)".
(I did have info on them but can't find it now).

The HID/HPS grow lights on mobile poles is an interesting idea.
Keep in mind, I have little understanding of this subject.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Sorry, i don't think I answered your question "how many sq feet" correctly, especially if it relates to "HID/HPS grow lights on mobile poles".

The shed is 30m long by 10m wide, and the space between bottom and middle table is 1m, and middle and top table 1m.
Each table is 1.8m wide by 9m long.
Walkways are 1m wide.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[foodfisher]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Mirror's/reflectors?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

For that setup, I'd use the LED strip lighting designed for horticulture. Less heat, cheaper to operate, and longer life. Especially when you just need to fill in the area that needs it.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

For that setup, I'd use the LED strip lighting designed for horticulture. Less heat, cheaper to operate, and longer life. Especially when you just need to fill in the area that needs it.

Woooooow!! - you got me going on this one SS Mayfloat.
What do you know about growing plants under these?
I have found these sites that seem interesting.
Remember, I don't understand a great deal in this field.

http://www.growlight.cn/

http://www.growlight.cn/grow-products.asp

http://www.ledcentral.com.au/online-store/led-strip-lights/flypage/1m-led-strip-light
(it says LED Kelvin CW Cool White 5000-7000k and I was told 6500K or above was needed)

Cheers
Phillip

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: CheapboatKev - lighting question.

Those are some great sites with a wealth of information. I do know that the use of LEDs is the thing of the future. Like everything else, as the market gets flooded with their use the price will eventually go down. We just had 2 of our stores remodeled. Lighting was upgraded on the inside and outside with the use of LED lighting. Only draw back we have found is sometimes a few of the fixtures can be bad right out of the box. The suppliers have been excellent in replacement without any questions.

The use of LEDs (for growing) has been around for about the last 4 or 5 years that I know of. I never have used them. I have talked to a few people that have. They said that the coverage area of lumens is about equal to that of florescent bulbs.

When I was a teenager, I worked in the produce fields where I grew up. In the green houses where they would start the seedlings for produce, they would use artificial lighting to extend the light period due to the natural short period of light. I can't recall what the meter was called that they used to measure the artificial light. It would let you know if it was the proper light, distance, and the strength of the light for the coverage.

One other benefit that I didn't see mentioned is the safety factor. There is NO glass. As a pro grower, you know if a bulb or lense would break over your produce contaminating it can be costly. Nothing can shut down a business faster is that of a bad product caused by any contamination that is harmful to consumers.

Check you PM, I added a bit more info there also.