Re: [Aroid-l] LED growlights

From: Philip Crabb <treetrustee at yahoo.com> on 2007.03.14 at 15:16:02(15415) Hi, I grow under 4-tube T8 fixtures currently. My next move is to the 4-tube T5 fixtures, which are now down in price considerably compared to a couple of years ago. A 4-tube T5 fixture puts out the same lumen strength as a 400W metal halide lamp. I grow orchids, epiphytic ferns (primarily staghorns ), and Philodendron. Phil bonaventure@optonline.net wrote: Thank you Franck, You're technical expertise wowed me. Right now I just go with a mix of flourescent cool white and warm white tubes in one growing case, Metal-halide and high pressure sodium lamps mix in another growing case, and a smaller metal halide supplemented with new (experimenting with) compact flourescent bulbs. The light may make up in +More wavelength imbalance by its intensity. My worry is cost in utilities and heat produced, especially if I have to expand. It also appears the bulbs are weakening. This was apparent last winter to me about a year ago when I did replace them. I may opt to go compact flourescents or T3/T5 bulbs all the way. Bonaventure ----- Original Message -----From: "Franck R." Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 2:08 amSubject: Re: [Aroid-l] LED growlightsTo: Discussion of aroids Hello,I was also interested by this method but after some researches it seems that this system is not ready to be the best in artificial condition as defined. In fact it seems that for having a good result it is necessary to multiply the led system to obtain a good power of light. It seems too that there is a problem with the surface lighted and necessary to increase the number of led then. All this remarks give a cost of install by this system relatively hight.So for the moment, and this system interested me, I have not choice it and prefer some fluocompact lights ; It is easy to find some light with special temperature of colour and the power is interesting too. I use lights of 6500 °K for 23W and 1500 lumens. I have completed too my system by a 2700 °K for 30W. I have not finished in totality the test but for the moment the plants seem appreciate and for the moment all the lights give an equivalent about 300W than in reality I use 76W. I have recorded some data by sensor for PAR and 660nm and 730nm in comparison with conditions in a greenhouse.A problem, the red colour. This type of light has not enough. So I think that it could be very interested to find a solution to complete the spectrum of light by this ray to obtain a good quality of light.For the moment I test some different plants under this artificial lights and orchids, ferns do not present problem ; about araceae as Anthuriums a small etiolation is present for certain species and more for the young form, but I have some A.trinerve which have made their first flower without problem.I envisage to complete my system by grolux neon for the red colour in waiting to find a good system of artificial light, and at the finish I think that I will use about 100-110W for more than 340W in equivalence.Franckbonaventure@optonline.net a écrit : Anyone have experience with LED growlights? From what I've googled, they appear low energy use and maintenence, low heat production and efficient wavelengths for photosynthesis. Down side is high initial cost and unnatural appearing color. Any experience out there? Bonaventure-- ----------------------------------------------------- Franck RADNAI - Climate Zone 7 Web site : http://fradnai.free.fr/ Photos : http://fr.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/franckmilus/my_photos _______________________________________________Aroid-l mailing listAroid-l@gizmoworks.comhttp://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and always stay connected to friends._______________________________________________ Aroid-l mailing list Aroid-l@gizmoworks.com http://www.gizmoworks.com/mailman/listinfo/aroid-l

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