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Fluorescent Lights
All,
I recently purchased a quality $30 fluorescent light made by GE from the hardware store that came in a box describing the product as specifically for aquarium and garden use. Also in the lighting section were other cheaper and larger fluorescent lights for home/commercial use. Are all fluorescent lights the same as far as gardening? In my apartment I have plenty of indirect light but this will be the only source of direct light for my plants. I kept the receipt and don't know if I should take it back and do an exchange. I would appreciate your comments/thoughts. Peter |
Fluorescent Lights
Babberney wrote:
On 21 Aug 2003 13:40:05 -0700, ) wrote: All, I recently purchased a quality $30 fluorescent light made by GE from the hardware store that came in a box describing the product as specifically for aquarium and garden use. Also in the lighting section were other cheaper and larger fluorescent lights for home/commercial use. Are all fluorescent lights the same as far as gardening? In my apartment I have plenty of indirect light but this will be the only source of direct light for my plants. I kept the receipt and don't know if I should take it back and do an exchange. I would appreciate your comments/thoughts. Peter The fixture and ballast (which "turns on" the bulbs) are irrelevant--any will work as well as another, at least in teh short term. The type of bulb is important. AFAIK, there are three basic types of bulbs: cool white, warm (or soft) white, and wide-spectrum. Wide spectrum is commonly used for plants because each of the others lacks some of the spectrum (cool is more blue but less red, warm is the other way round). You can put one of each of the cheaper bulbs in a two-bulb fixture and compensate, but maybe not to the extent of duplicating the output of two wide-spectrum bulbs. That's all based on some research I did a long time ago--someone may report a new type of bulb and/or fixture I don't know about. Keith Your information is about 20 years old. The best inexpensive lamps you can get now are triphosphor lamps and electronic ballasts. If you stick to 4 foot lengths, they are *very* reasonably priced. The lamps, GE F32T8-SPX30, or Philips F32T8-ALTO-830 (or something very close to that) are about $2 or $3 each. The ballasts, which will work in old fixtures designed for F40T12 lamps, are less than $20. Best regards, Bob |
Fluorescent Lights
Generally you can use just about any fluorescent light.
You plants will appreciate it if you add some incandescent lights as well to make up for the missing colors of most fluorescent lights. This is less important or not needed at all if you use the more expensive garden or plant type lights. Using cheap fluorescent fixtures is a waste, the better (electronic ballast type) last longer, don't hum and are more efficient. If you are going big time, consider mercury vapor types. They are even more efficient and the point about adding some incandescent light still applies. Different plants need different mixes of lights so experiment. Have fun. It is more art than science. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math wrote in message om... All, I recently purchased a quality $30 fluorescent light made by GE from the hardware store that came in a box describing the product as specifically for aquarium and garden use. Also in the lighting section were other cheaper and larger fluorescent lights for home/commercial use. Are all fluorescent lights the same as far as gardening? In my apartment I have plenty of indirect light but this will be the only source of direct light for my plants. I kept the receipt and don't know if I should take it back and do an exchange. I would appreciate your comments/thoughts. Peter |
Fluorescent Lights
Joseph Meehan wrote:
Generally you can use just about any fluorescent light. You plants will appreciate it if you add some incandescent lights as well to make up for the missing colors of most fluorescent lights. This is less important or not needed at all if you use the more expensive garden or plant type lights. Using cheap fluorescent fixtures is a waste, the better (electronic ballast type) last longer, don't hum and are more efficient. If you are going big time, consider mercury vapor types. They are even more efficient and the point about adding some incandescent light still applies. Different plants need different mixes of lights so experiment. Have fun. It is more art than science. Mercury vapor? They are expensive, and only about twice as efficient as incandescent lamps, and their spectrum is about as bad as high pressure sodium lamps. You kind of get the worst of both worlds. Triphosphor fluorescents approach 100 lumens per watt, and they maintain their luminence much better than most discharge lamps. If you think broad spectrum is important (plants don't seem to think it's important), use GE "Sunshine" fluorescent lamps (available at Wal-Mart, IIRC they come in an orange package), or Philips TL90's. Best regards, Bob |
Fluorescent Lights
Wide spectrum lamps are good and they are the easiest solution, but you
will never see them in a commercial application where mercury vapor is favored due to the overall cost savings. Over the total life of the fixture the cost of lamps, fixtures and power strongly favors the mercury vapor. Just ask any pot grower. ;) -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math "zxcvbob" wrote in message ... Joseph Meehan wrote: Generally you can use just about any fluorescent light. You plants will appreciate it if you add some incandescent lights as well to make up for the missing colors of most fluorescent lights. This is less important or not needed at all if you use the more expensive garden or plant type lights. Using cheap fluorescent fixtures is a waste, the better (electronic ballast type) last longer, don't hum and are more efficient. If you are going big time, consider mercury vapor types. They are even more efficient and the point about adding some incandescent light still applies. Different plants need different mixes of lights so experiment. Have fun. It is more art than science. Mercury vapor? They are expensive, and only about twice as efficient as incandescent lamps, and their spectrum is about as bad as high pressure sodium lamps. You kind of get the worst of both worlds. Triphosphor fluorescents approach 100 lumens per watt, and they maintain their luminence much better than most discharge lamps. If you think broad spectrum is important (plants don't seem to think it's important), use GE "Sunshine" fluorescent lamps (available at Wal-Mart, IIRC they come in an orange package), or Philips TL90's. Best regards, Bob |
Fluorescent Lights
Joseph Meehan wrote:
Wide spectrum lamps are good and they are the easiest solution, but you will never see them in a commercial application where mercury vapor is favored due to the overall cost savings. Over the total life of the fixture the cost of lamps, fixtures and power strongly favors the mercury vapor. Just ask any pot grower. ;) I think you are confusing mercury vapor lamps with high pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH). Regards, Bob |
Fluorescent Lights
No, but I do tend to place them all in the same general category. In
this case I would tend to leave the sodium out of the running, but I have also seen them used commercially. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math "zxcvbob" wrote in message ... Joseph Meehan wrote: Wide spectrum lamps are good and they are the easiest solution, but you will never see them in a commercial application where mercury vapor is favored due to the overall cost savings. Over the total life of the fixture the cost of lamps, fixtures and power strongly favors the mercury vapor. Just ask any pot grower. ;) I think you are confusing mercury vapor lamps with high pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH). Regards, Bob |
Fluorescent Lights
I tried a metal halide grow light for a few months. I thought I could
overwinter my container plants and save some $$. My light bill went up $40/month, though, so it wasn't much of a bargain. Besides, it made the growing room very hot. I'll try regular fluorescent bulbs this winter. -- pelirojaroja "Joseph Meehan" wrote in message ... Wide spectrum lamps are good and they are the easiest solution, but you will never see them in a commercial application where mercury vapor is favored due to the overall cost savings. Over the total life of the fixture the cost of lamps, fixtures and power strongly favors the mercury vapor. Just ask any pot grower. ;) -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math "zxcvbob" wrote in message ... Joseph Meehan wrote: Generally you can use just about any fluorescent light. You plants will appreciate it if you add some incandescent lights as well to make up for the missing colors of most fluorescent lights. This is less important or not needed at all if you use the more expensive garden or plant type lights. Using cheap fluorescent fixtures is a waste, the better (electronic ballast type) last longer, don't hum and are more efficient. If you are going big time, consider mercury vapor types. They are even more efficient and the point about adding some incandescent light still applies. Different plants need different mixes of lights so experiment. Have fun. It is more art than science. Mercury vapor? They are expensive, and only about twice as efficient as incandescent lamps, and their spectrum is about as bad as high pressure sodium lamps. You kind of get the worst of both worlds. Triphosphor fluorescents approach 100 lumens per watt, and they maintain their luminence much better than most discharge lamps. If you think broad spectrum is important (plants don't seem to think it's important), use GE "Sunshine" fluorescent lamps (available at Wal-Mart, IIRC they come in an orange package), or Philips TL90's. Best regards, Bob |
Fluorescent Lights
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Fluorescent Lights
Joseph Meehan wrote:
Generally you can use just about any fluorescent light. You plants will appreciate it if you add some incandescent lights as well to make up for the missing colors of most fluorescent lights. This is less important or not needed at all if you use the more expensive garden or plant type lights. Using cheap fluorescent fixtures is a waste, the better (electronic ballast type) last longer, don't hum and are more efficient. If you are going big time, consider mercury vapor types. They are even more efficient and the point about adding some incandescent light still applies. Fluorescent IS mercury vapor, except that the envelope is coated with a phosphorescent pigment. Mercury emission is rich in UV. That wavelength roasts living tissue unless converted to visible spectrum. UV is wasted on plants, anyway, since photosynthesis is most efficient with blue and red bands. Metal halide uses Hg vapor and a mix of halogen gasses (iodine, sodium, bromine, etc) to conduct the arc. Exact mix is formulated to approximate natural, noon sunlight as closely as possible; televised night baseball games were one of the first applications. Efficiency is excellent, surpassed only by HPS, but more favorable for vegetative growth. HPS stimulates floral development because its spectrum is close to low angle, autumn sunlight. It was designed for cheap security lighting, where color rendition doesn't matter. Home Depot annual flats are finished under this type of bulb because unknowing customers are more likely to purchase blooming rather than vegetative stage plants, which can better acclimate themselves to their gardens. Different plants need different mixes of lights so experiment. Have fun. It is more art than science. Weak bands can be compensated for by adding a couple of the same tubes or bulbs. Old-fashioned T12 fluorescents are cheap enough just to throw in a couple more for insurance. Use fluorescents if you're strapped for cash. Cool white tubes approximate metal halide. Kitchen-bath tubes can be subbed for HPS. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math wrote in message om.. All, I recently purchased a quality $30 fluorescent light made by GE from the hardware store that came in a box describing the product as specifically for aquarium and garden use. Also in the lighting section were other cheaper and larger fluorescent lights for home/commercial use. Are all fluorescent lights the same as far as gardening? In my apartment I have plenty of indirect light but this will be the only source of direct light for my plants. I kept the receipt and don't know if I should take it back and do an exchange. I would appreciate your comments/thoughts. Peter |
Fluorescent Lights
Light is expensive. Lumen for lumen, the fluorescents will be more
expensive. However in you specific case they may prove to be less expensive overall for a number of reasons. Either should be less expensive than incandescent. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math "-- pelirojaroja" wrote in message om... I tried a metal halide grow light for a few months. I thought I could overwinter my container plants and save some $$. My light bill went up $40/month, though, so it wasn't much of a bargain. Besides, it made the growing room very hot. I'll try regular fluorescent bulbs this winter. -- pelirojaroja "Joseph Meehan" wrote in message ... Wide spectrum lamps are good and they are the easiest solution, but you will never see them in a commercial application where mercury vapor is favored due to the overall cost savings. Over the total life of the fixture the cost of lamps, fixtures and power strongly favors the mercury vapor. Just ask any pot grower. ;) -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math "zxcvbob" wrote in message ... Joseph Meehan wrote: Generally you can use just about any fluorescent light. You plants will appreciate it if you add some incandescent lights as well to make up for the missing colors of most fluorescent lights. This is less important or not needed at all if you use the more expensive garden or plant type lights. Using cheap fluorescent fixtures is a waste, the better (electronic ballast type) last longer, don't hum and are more efficient. If you are going big time, consider mercury vapor types. They are even more efficient and the point about adding some incandescent light still applies. Different plants need different mixes of lights so experiment. Have fun. It is more art than science. Mercury vapor? They are expensive, and only about twice as efficient as incandescent lamps, and their spectrum is about as bad as high pressure sodium lamps. You kind of get the worst of both worlds. Triphosphor fluorescents approach 100 lumens per watt, and they maintain their luminence much better than most discharge lamps. If you think broad spectrum is important (plants don't seem to think it's important), use GE "Sunshine" fluorescent lamps (available at Wal-Mart, IIRC they come in an orange package), or Philips TL90's. Best regards, Bob |
Fluorescent Lights
Thanks for providing the more detailed information that I was too lazy
to write and to check out to refresh my mind. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math "Dr. Rev. Chuck, M.D. P.A." wrote in message ... Joseph Meehan wrote: Generally you can use just about any fluorescent light. You plants will appreciate it if you add some incandescent lights as well to make up for the missing colors of most fluorescent lights. This is less important or not needed at all if you use the more expensive garden or plant type lights. Using cheap fluorescent fixtures is a waste, the better (electronic ballast type) last longer, don't hum and are more efficient. If you are going big time, consider mercury vapor types. They are even more efficient and the point about adding some incandescent light still applies. Fluorescent IS mercury vapor, except that the envelope is coated with a phosphorescent pigment. Mercury emission is rich in UV. That wavelength roasts living tissue unless converted to visible spectrum. UV is wasted on plants, anyway, since photosynthesis is most efficient with blue and red bands. Metal halide uses Hg vapor and a mix of halogen gasses (iodine, sodium, bromine, etc) to conduct the arc. Exact mix is formulated to approximate natural, noon sunlight as closely as possible; televised night baseball games were one of the first applications. Efficiency is excellent, surpassed only by HPS, but more favorable for vegetative growth. HPS stimulates floral development because its spectrum is close to low angle, autumn sunlight. It was designed for cheap security lighting, where color rendition doesn't matter. Home Depot annual flats are finished under this type of bulb because unknowing customers are more likely to purchase blooming rather than vegetative stage plants, which can better acclimate themselves to their gardens. Different plants need different mixes of lights so experiment. Have fun. It is more art than science. Weak bands can be compensated for by adding a couple of the same tubes or bulbs. Old-fashioned T12 fluorescents are cheap enough just to throw in a couple more for insurance. Use fluorescents if you're strapped for cash. Cool white tubes approximate metal halide. Kitchen-bath tubes can be subbed for HPS. -- Joseph E. Meehan 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math wrote in message om.. All, I recently purchased a quality $30 fluorescent light made by GE from the hardware store that came in a box describing the product as specifically for aquarium and garden use. Also in the lighting section were other cheaper and larger fluorescent lights for home/commercial use. Are all fluorescent lights the same as far as gardening? In my apartment I have plenty of indirect light but this will be the only source of direct light for my plants. I kept the receipt and don't know if I should take it back and do an exchange. I would appreciate your comments/thoughts. Peter |
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