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08-02-2005, 04:07 PM
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OB Admin
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Zone: 3a
Location: Edmonton, Alberta. Canada
Age: 47
Posts: 1,709
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T8 Flourescents
I picked up a couple of Philips ALTO T8 flourescent tubes from Home Depot today. They are supposed to be longer lasting, have reduced environmental impact due to reduced mercury content.
Anyone had experiences with the use of them and plant growth?
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Dave W
"It is easy to grow orchids - you just have to think like one!" - Unknown
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11-05-2006, 10:10 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 71
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Yes, I use four T8's in my light garden set-up.
They work good, with both warm and cool light bulbs they support both flowering and vegetative growth.
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11-05-2006, 10:55 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queens, NY, USA
Age: 28
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Does anyone know how they compare to T5's? I hear they aren't as good.
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All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
-J.R.R. Tolkien, LOTR, Fellowship of the Ring
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11-06-2006, 07:42 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 71
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The T8 definately uses more energy and produces more by-product heat.
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11-06-2006, 09:32 AM
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Roots are good
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Location: Cadillac, Michigan, USA
Posts: 7,434
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9
Does anyone know how they compare to T5's? I hear they aren't as good.
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From what I hear, the T5 units are getting to be as popular with hydroponics folks as the HID, etc. They run very cool. Never hear them using T8 or T12, though.
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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), Paphs, and others that crept in somewhere along the line. See my orchid list for complete collection (usually not current.)
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11-06-2006, 09:47 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 71
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Yup, T5's rock, and they produce a ton of light.
Last spring, I accidently burned some rupicolous laelias that were a full 2 feet from the tubes!
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11-06-2006, 10:11 AM
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Roots are good
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Location: Cadillac, Michigan, USA
Posts: 7,434
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ospylac
Yup, T5's rock, and they produce a ton of light.
Last spring, I accidently burned some rupicolous laelias that were a full 2 feet from the tubes!
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So, how far is your unit away from plants? 
__________________
Ross
http://orchids-ross.blogspot.com/
I don't do most Dendros or large, "floofy orchids". For me it's minis (like Angraecoides), Paphs, and others that crept in somewhere along the line. See my orchid list for complete collection (usually not current.)
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11-06-2006, 10:38 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 71
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Well, they vary depending on the plants light needs from 14" to 2 feet away. I had to use some shade cloth to provide for some species. Using both a red and a blue bulbs 50:50 does really well at getting plants to flower, much better than my cloudy windowsills.
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11-06-2006, 11:41 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 536
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I'm using a two tube T8 fixture to light two frog tanks. Price was right. Seems to work.
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Rob's Rules:  http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit
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11-06-2006, 11:45 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Zone: 6b
Location: Langley BC, Canada
Posts: 92
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In our grow facilities we are switching to T5's as well. They are cost effective, energy efficient, and produce very little heat (i can grab on to the bulb after it has been on for several days and it will not burn my hand). It as well gives off a crisp light much like HID bulbs.
If you are worried about the environmental impact, instead of tossing the bulbs why not recycle them. your local store like home depot should have the information on it.
Cheers!
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