Using Shoplights
Using Shoplights
I have seen in some of the post that members are using shop lights. Do any one have thoughts about this. I have a 48" and am looking to have the plants grow rather than just survive w/o spending a lot on lights. Any thoughts at all would be helpful.
I didn't have any specific questions, at the time, but was just wondering if they were successfully used.
I have however thought of some other questions.
Can a shop light be placed in a canopy or do they produce to much heat? If they are in a canopy can they be directly mounted to the top (wood) or is some sort of insulator needed to keep them away from the wood?
Can any bulb be used with a shop light or do I need to be mindful of the wattage of the bulb included with the light? Has anyone had success with a Phillips (or any other home depot brand) plant and aquarium bulb?
Is there a large need to put a reflective surface all around the canopy to keep the light from escaping?
I have however thought of some other questions.
Can a shop light be placed in a canopy or do they produce to much heat? If they are in a canopy can they be directly mounted to the top (wood) or is some sort of insulator needed to keep them away from the wood?
Can any bulb be used with a shop light or do I need to be mindful of the wattage of the bulb included with the light? Has anyone had success with a Phillips (or any other home depot brand) plant and aquarium bulb?
Is there a large need to put a reflective surface all around the canopy to keep the light from escaping?
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RTR
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My utility setups are not enclosed in hoods, but can be and I have done. If mounting to a homemade wooden hood, I use a couple of metal washers as spacers between the shoplight and the hood.
The fixture specifies the fluorescent tubes which may be used with the included ballast. Most of mine use 48" T12 (which means it is 12/8" or 1 1/2" diameter) tubes and I use mostly Phillips 'Daylight Deluxe' which is a 6500K triphospher tube which is quite decent for growing plants. I get them at Home Depot, as I do the Shop Lights themselves.
I do gave some fixtures (also HD) which use T5 48" tubes, These are more efficient, so less expensive to run, and put out as much or more light as the T12a, but I do not care for the "look" they give the tank. They work about the same, but are not over the near-display tanks.
Go to: http://www.gwapa.org/articles/august2005/index.html
Scroll down to the "Wall-O-Tanks shots, that is the "view" side of the tank room. Scroll dpwn more and you can see the backside of that wall, with the Shop Lights. Over the big veggie filter are two of the more efficient T5 units.
On a hood/canopy when the fixture itself includes a reflector there is no need for additional, only the need to protect the wood from moisture if it is not already finished.
Most commercial canopies are in part open at the back and need no extra venting. If you go for high light, ypu might need some more or fan assist.
The fixture specifies the fluorescent tubes which may be used with the included ballast. Most of mine use 48" T12 (which means it is 12/8" or 1 1/2" diameter) tubes and I use mostly Phillips 'Daylight Deluxe' which is a 6500K triphospher tube which is quite decent for growing plants. I get them at Home Depot, as I do the Shop Lights themselves.
I do gave some fixtures (also HD) which use T5 48" tubes, These are more efficient, so less expensive to run, and put out as much or more light as the T12a, but I do not care for the "look" they give the tank. They work about the same, but are not over the near-display tanks.
Go to: http://www.gwapa.org/articles/august2005/index.html
Scroll down to the "Wall-O-Tanks shots, that is the "view" side of the tank room. Scroll dpwn more and you can see the backside of that wall, with the Shop Lights. Over the big veggie filter are two of the more efficient T5 units.
On a hood/canopy when the fixture itself includes a reflector there is no need for additional, only the need to protect the wood from moisture if it is not already finished.
Most commercial canopies are in part open at the back and need no extra venting. If you go for high light, ypu might need some more or fan assist.
Where's the fish? - Neptune