European vendors for light fixtures? Can anyone help me out! - Orchid Board

Jeff9 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:26 PM

Hello all,

I'm looking to construct an orchid shelf preferably with 2 levels, i have attached some sketches of what i'd like to build.
I was wondering if anyone could help me out what kind of light fixtures i'd need to create these shelves.
I want to move my orchids under artificial light because my country has very short times of sunlight except for the summer and the way my house is situated makes my plants get barely any light.

The light they get is enough for most but some of the other species that require more light are progressing very slowly and putting out small bulbs.

I'd also like to point out i'm european so it would be nice if someone from europe could point out where to order.

Thanks.

s.kallima · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:42 PM

Hi Jeff,

It would be easier to help you if you tell us in which country in EU you live

kavanaru · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:52 PM

In Switzerland, I have used both Riffhaus and Regent, and also have used in the past light fixtures from warehouses like Obi.

My experience, is to rather go for shops specialized in aquarium, as they have good fixtures and often also water resistant.

Check this link LUMI MASTER T5 - Einbaubalken 6 x 54 Watt... - DER Meerwasserspezialist in der Schweiz! Probably you will not be able to buy from them, but you can check the brands available in Europe and google for them.

Other option is to look for shops specialized in indoor Marihuana growing (yes, in some european countries this is legal, and as long as they do not send seeds or plants, they can send other products within the EU)

but as S.kallima said, it would help if you indicate in which country you are

kavanaru · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 08:00 PM

here you can see how the fixtures are mounted in my two setups:

Vivarium:
Frame (Light system) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Frame (Light system) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Light System on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Shelves:
Shelves on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Jeff9 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 08:38 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.
I actually live in the Netherlands and i don't think near my area there are any shops specialized in growing pot, atleast not the lights etc.

However i could probably find an aquarium specialized store.
If you look at the sketch i posted i guess i could probably buy a premade shelf and fit it with lights and make the case around it and add fans myself.

Any suggestions?

Im looking at the links you posted now kava

Jeff9 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 08:45 PM

Basically what i want to build is a sort of vivarium
I dont know if i will need two levels maybe i will just stick to one.

I want to place an epiweb backwall with a waterpump running over it and some light fixtures at the top.

My main concern is building a safe system, especially since it involves water and electricity and im not home alot.

s.kallima · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 01:26 AM

Jeff, you should check this online store :
http://www.rainforest-frogs.nl/shop/index.php?cPath=55

They have all you need for a full orchid enclosure setup. I have never ordered from them, but I read some posts about them in a french orchid forum.
Camille could tell you about the stores she knows... if she comes around this post.

Blueszz · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 09:05 AM

Camille ordered from Rainferest frogs. Too bad I forgot the shop name I ordered from. Same lights as Camille uses.
We both use PL lights and they put out a huge amount of light. I use the 4000 Kelvin but these lamps are also available 5000K and up. 4000 Kelvin seems good enought for vigorous growth and blooming. I have mainly Phal's under these lamps and have them about 50 cm away from the lamps, still giving me around 550 fc at leaf leavel. Enough for growht during the summer. Now they are spiking I brought the plants closer to the lamps and some leafs are turning reddish. I still could bring them closer to the lamps, but that would burn the leafs I think.
I use the VSA's (ballast) the generate extra heat. That way I have day temps around 25 C for my plants, despite the room temp is 19-20 C. I have the plants in a wooden enclosure. I use 2 small computer fans for air circulation. Works like a charm.
Be aware when you mount the VSA. They get *hot*. Don't mount them on woold, you risk fire.
Another option is Gamma. They have cheap open fixtures so that you don't have to wire everyting yourself. I saw them last week for about € 5,95. They come including the lamps but they are 3200K I think. They look nicer than my own wired thingies...

The shop I bought from advise me to use 6 x 36 Watt on 1,4 m * 0,5 m (enclosure is 0,6 m high). bought 4 lamps and that is enough for me. Mainly on the sides of the enclosure I have some spots with a bit less light, but that's OK for me, as not every plant wants the same amount of light - like seedlings.

PS Paph's grow/bloom under these lamps too and I was able to get a Den. Phal type to spike under these lamps, it didn't want to set a spike in my South windowsill last month.

Nicole

camille1585 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 10:10 AM

Like Nicole said, I went for the PL (power compact) CFL. It looks like a standard tube folded in two. I have a 36W one and a 55W that I got from rainforest-frogs.nl. They happen to be 10km away from me (I'm in Wageningen) so I saved on shipping. Vivaria.nl sells the same ones.
They might not be the best for you depending on how long your shelf is.The 36W is about 40cm long, the 55W is about 50 or 60cm (can't remember) and I don't know about the 80W ones. The reason I got those lights is that they come from stores that specialize in vivariums, so they sell lights made for plant growth. And I have to say that I'm very happy with them. My 36W lamp is enough to bloom some phals that stayed behind in France, in a badly lit room.

But if you are looking for standard tube fixtures, I don't know any address in NL (but I'll check in all my saved links). There was a shop in Amsterdam that sold good lights, but it closed almost 2 years ago.

camille1585 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 11:36 AM

I forgot to mention that Rainforest Frogs does sell T8 and T5 TL lights as well! You have to buy all the pieces separately and mount/install everything yourself (just like the PL lights Nicole and I got). It's cheaper, and you can install everything how you want it. You need to get the tubes, reflectors, ballasts, and slip on sockets. Like Nicole said, if it's not an electronic ballast, don't mount on wood. I mounted my second one on a aluminium 'board'