I agree with Antti. I am using a 12 on 12 off right now (winter) in basement. It's the only source of light. At mid summer I am up to 14 on and 10 off. My orchidarium cools down at night and plants are fine. I'd do on during day and off at night to assure the cool down lots of 'chids appreciate. If you have all warm-growing then there's nothing wrong with doing as you suggest. But even Phals appreciate a bit of a cool down prior to setting spikes. Sounds like the lights are to be your only source of light (nothing wrong with that) then you want to shoot for color temperature of approx 5000K (should be labelled on lamp) or something called "full spectrum".
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Ross
http://orchids-ross.blogspot.com/
I don't do most Dendros or large, "floofy orchids". For me it's minis (like Angraecoides), Masdies, Paphs, and others that crept in somewhere along the line. See my orchid list for complete collection (usually not current.)
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