Greenhouse: Lighting Questions, 0 by Hoya_24

Hoya_24 wrote:
Here is a little more info on my T-5 setup. It was difficult to obtain information on growing high light tropical plants under artificial lights. I kept going back and forth on whether to spring for HID lights or these new T5s. I opted for the T5s because I thought they would be more versitile - I have some mounted vertically to side light tall plants, and I was afraid of the heat generated by HID. I also have some mounted over windows where I thought they could help supplement the natural light. The lights that I used are from the link that I posted below. They are much less money than some of the HOT-5s advertised. I first found this company on Ebay and they have over 7,500 favorable feedbacks and no negative feedback so I figured they had to be pretty reputable. I ordered directly from the company and saved a little bit over ebay. I am very happy with the build quality of the fixtures. The shipping is faster and better packed than any company that I have ever used. I bought three two tube fixtures and two 4 tube fixtures. They really pump out the light, you cannot look directly into the light.

In my main plant room, I mounted 5 rubbermaid or closet saver five foot standards to the wall, which I use with the 20 inch brackets and shelves. It is infinitely adjustable. On the shelves I have two extra large (20X48inch) boot trays bought from Gardener's Supply Co. I put pieces of PVC pipe into the bottom of the trays to support plastic egg crate that I bought from Home Depot. The trays will have water in them to help provide humidity for the plants. From the ceiling above the shelves I mounted the two 4 tube T-5 fixtures.

I have attached a photo of a two tube fixture hung from the ceiling as supplemental light for some plants.

Doug

High Tech Garden Supply Link to the fixtures that I bought.

[HYPERLINK@www.htgsupply.com]