Lighting Suggestions Needed - Page 4

HewesHort · #31 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 12:04 PM

epiphile there are formulas for both conversions, i still cant find either one i think the foot candle one might be in one of my books, i will look when i get home tonight. even foot candles is a better gauage than lumens.

if i can find specific info on the effects of light on plants ill get it posted. it may take me some time i havent read up on that stuff in a couple years.

beckdg · #32 (**permalink**) 09-25-2009, 01:08 PM

i hope it's not the bit of info in the Fern grower's manual
By Barbara Joe Hoshizaki, Robbin Craig Moran pertaining to quantum meters. from what i see it suggests that all light is the same as there is a parallel in the formula that suggests to me that you'd not need the spectral output to go from one measurement to another except a basic mathematical formula in which the numbers don't change according to lighting type. there is a formula out there that uses spectral lumination in terms of nanometers i believe that one could be used if necessary. i believe it would be necessary if one wanted a true reading when converting from one scale to another. for instance a lux meter would be used to measure the output of a uvb bulb, a par meter for photosynthetically active light... and so on. so if the light would measure across the board in such a manner not only would we not need special bulbs for uv (a (photosynthetic slightly),b (uv needed for assimilation of calcium, d3...) or c (kills, blinds, or burns everything and is often used as a sterilizer for many applications from water plants to hospitals to fish tanks)) nor would we need specific spectrums for growing, budding or plant care in general. and since lumens is what we see... i believe candle power is light in general... they are all different so a light with x amount of y times a thousand to get v... v wouldn't always come out right without a formula that consists of said variable in said equation.

so basically i believe i've found something relevant but it is either only part of the puzzle or completely bogus when it comes to uses other than photography.

i may be having a horrible time making any sense... let me know... anyway... the book... Fern grower's manual - Google Books

jpstod · #33 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 02:30 AM

I use the lights of America Fixtures from Wally World and I use their 65oo K Bulbs

Take a look and see what you think..

I want to waste my money on other stuff than overpriced Bulbs

Epiphile · #34 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:37 AM

Looks good to me, and your reasoning down there at the bottom is quite sound.

jpstod · #35 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:47 AM

And this Tank
I had done some plant clippings So I removed the Fixture and took a picture before I put it back on

money saved on lighting can be used for More animals

MtuPup · #36 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 12:19 PM

Do you have those tank racks in a bedroom???!!!! I get aggravated when the two 10 gallons i have on timers go off in the morning!

So I did a little more analytical research on the lighting - taking into consideration a cost vs efficiency ratio as well as availability of replacement equpiment along with penetration heights of the light. With my tank the deepest the light has to go is 13 inches. It really came together (more or less laziness got the best of me too) when I was at Petsmart and seen the 3 bulb Exo terro hoods on sale for 29.99 a pop. I picked up two of them, went to Meijer got 6 6500k CFL and viola! I actually only run 4 of the six bulbs at a time and switch to 2 bulbs later at night.

Because of all the drainage hoses and pumps my roommate and I are going to build this tank into the front of a bar. When I do that, I plan to actually make a hood for it and use T5 hanging shop fixtures.

jpstod · #37 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtuPup

Do you have those tank racks in a bedroom???!!!! I get aggravated when the two 10 gallons i have on timers go off in the morning!

.

Yes thats is my bedroom
On workdays I am up at 0430 hr
I have a Red Bulb that is on in the Mornings when I am getting ready to goto work.and viewing sometimes. I also have solar powered pathway lights for low level lighting set on top of some of the Tanks so it looks like moonlight. I bought them from Wally World for $3.85 and they are recharged by the 6500 K bulbs

NonWorkdays I sleep in till about 0800 hr
I have two windows that Natural light come in through for morning Light in the room. The Fixtures do not come on till 1000 hrs and set to go off at 2200 hrs.