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Grow Light Options and Spectrums

As I started cuttings early this year I’ve needed to up my game in lighting. It looks like there has been some discussion already here on the forums in the past: 

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/grow-lights-6054832?highlight=lighting+requirements

Bobs Post here is an ideal read: 
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Lighting-6123556 

I am curious what other peoples set up is like. 
I am also curious what others are using for drip pans /humidty dishes while indoors. 
I am very interested in details for those using LEDs, especially DIY systems. 

Many people in my reef club are now using these ever grow LED-they do group group buys and getting them 20-30% off. They have exellent PAR readings. Evergrow has an entire line of grow lights. 

Here is my set up: 


This is a Odyssey 48” MH system 2 x 250watt 10K Ushio bulbs, 4 actinic bulbs @65watts each. I have not started using the halides, thats why the ficture is so close. For cutting propagation after the bags, I go to a cups in a mostly covered 10 gallon aquarium with a incandescent grow light (in background)

I use two 4' fluorescent bulb stand 26" above the plants. The bulbs are GE "Plant & Aquarium Electrolux ?" most probably 40W each. The bulbs stand and plants are covered with transparent plastic sheet from dollar store that is usually used for coverings when painting. Enough pots inside give enough humidity. 
It is economical set-up but it has been working fine for me and I am happy with plants progress..

Greetings Frank,
I just use a florescent set up, I read an article that said the cheapest do it yourself was a fixture from Loews or the Poe that holds two bulbs and you put in one cool white and one warm white and that covers it. As for a humility chamber I got some clear plastic totes and cut out a few squares in the top that I hot glued a piece of gauze to for a vent. For far that's working great and keeps out the fungus gnats. They killed more cuttings....as for a drip pan I just use a low sided plastic tote..IMG_0458.jpg IMG_0456.jpg IMG_0457.jpg


I am using T5 hydroponic lights in a tray, rooted cuttings with 5 minute SIPs. It is a very dry environment, but the SIPs help keep the medium from getting too dry (25% perlite %75 spaghnum peat moss).

Quote:
Originally Posted by KK4DFU
Odyssey 48” MH system 2 x 250watt 10K Ushio bulbs, 4 actinic bulbs @65watts each. I have not started using the halides, thats why the ficture is so close. For cutting propagation after the bags, I go to a cups in a mostly covered 10 gallon aquarium with a incandescent grow light (in background)


KK, I believe that actinics produce a spectrum length of >460nm and do very little (perhaps nothing) in terms of photosynthesis. You would be better off raising the fixture up and kicking the halides on. What kind of PAR readings are people getting from those LEDs, and what is the spectrum? I would think 4-6k would be optimal. Long term I think it would be worth the energy savings and metal halide bulb cost to invest in an LED fixture geared towards planted tanks... Just my two cents.

I use four fixtures all with T-5 bulbs and have
Six plastic dishes with river pebbles in each with water
for humidity in a 6x11 grow room. I rooted over 125 cuttings
last winter and the lighting was fine.

Been using cheep walmart shop lights with grow bulbs bought from walmart too for years with not a single problem. Oneday I plan on updating my grow room with t5 set ups but no hurry as this cheep rout has done wonderful.

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