My new CFL setup...suggestions welcome!

[Austinerd]

Hello All,
I just wanted to share that my new 200 watt CFL (5000K) was delivered today. I posted a picture of it here, and apologize for the quality of the photo. A friend is coming by with a light meter so I can determine how close to the bulb I need to set my catts. But, to put it non-scientifically, this thing is BRIGHT. What I hope to induce to bloom are:

Slc. Hsin Buu Lady 'Y.T.'
Blc. Haw Yuan Beaty 'Hong'
and a NOID which I suspect to be another small Blc.

I know I'm supposed to gradually increase the light so as not to shock the little plants, and may also wrap a clear shower curtain around the shelving unit (starting maybe a foot below the lamp itself) though not sure if that will be necessary. If anybody has any suggestions or has experience with this type of bulb please share....

Just wanted to share because I'm excited!
Thanks!
Dan in Austin

[calvin_orchidL]

Heya Dan cool setup. I have a 65 watt with a similar setup. Works well, but definitely play with the light meter to get a reading. You might want to think of ways to extend the reflective surface as well, both for the sake of your eyes, and for maximum light. You can get white reflective mylar from hydroponic stores. White is the best reflective surface, after high grade reflective aluminum. I had catts 6" away from my 65W, at around 1500fc...but the amount of time you have the light on will be a factor too (ie longer photoperiod, less light intensity needed)

[Magnus A]

Nice setup!
I would test to turn the lamp 90 degree to see if the spread is "longer" in one of the direction. You may cover more bench area and less wall and room if it is so.
For a referance, the light on the shelfs with phals., how many watt and color temp do they have? Are they new or "old"....?

[Austinerd]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. As far as the other lights, on either side of the CFL setup they are new tubes that are T12 standard 40 watt, newly replaced. Not sure of the color temp. But the phals are happy under them.
And as for the reflector, I do think I need to try getting some of that mylar sheeting. The lamp is at such a high profile that it's not easy on the eyes when I walk into the room....I didn't think of that, trying to save space by putting it up on the cabinet. For now I'm leaving it on about 13 hours per day. The shelves are adjustable as well as the lamp itself.
Thanks for the feedback!
Dan

[Ross]

Couple observations:

You will know for sure of the brightness after you get your meter. The human eye is a terrible judge of relative brightness. Just step quickly from a dim room to the ful sunshine and you think it is pretty bright. Stay out there for a while and it won't seem so bright.

Be careful if you close in the shelving. The light operates at 95 degrees F and it's pretty easy to overheat the setup if you don't exhaust the heat some way.

13 hours should be fine. I wouldn't go beyond 14-15 hours though, in middle of summer.

At 13 hours, I would strive for 1500-1800 foot-candles at the leaves themselves, not the bulbs.

Good luck and keep us informed.

[Austinerd]

Ross, is the 1500-1800 foot-candles you suggested the reading I should expect to get with the light meter, or what the particular plants I mentioned in my original post need in order to bloom?
Thanks,
Dan

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Austinerd

Ross, is the 1500-1800 foot-candles you suggested the reading I should expect to get with the light meter, or what the particular plants I mentioned in my original post need in order to bloom?
Thanks,
Dan

Let me answer your question this way: I measure 1800foot-candles at the leaves near the top of my tank. Under lights you will need less foot-candles than under a clear blue sky. So the answer is 1800 FCs as measured by your light meter. I bloom mini dendrobiums, etc. at these light levels. Watch leaf color. You want light green, and maybe even tinged purple. Really blazing light or sun is not necessary for blooming reliably.