Thinking of growing year-round under lights....

[Dollythehun]

Would not be close. Hanging from ceiling above three tier staggered shelves. Supplements dreary Indiana days.

[Leafmite]

I really like my T5HO's. They do generate heat but I think you will be okay by keeping the lamp far enough above the terrarium.
I have four sets of T5HO lights and it is always a bright, sunny day in the plant room. My part of Ohio is really dark and dreary most of the winter, too. As for the cost of electricity, I haven't noticed it being too terrible. I figure it is cheaper than heating a greenhouse.

[Dollythehun]

No terrarium. Shelves, which it will hang above. Lots of open air, lots of fans running. Thanks. I'm light deprived lately.

[terryros]

The economics can be looked at short term (LED bulbs more expensive) or long term (electricity costs reduced, fewer bulb changes) and I considered a long term tie at worst.

That left two important advantages for LED lighting.

1. The bulbs can usually be higher over your plants, particularly if you use bulbs that have any focusing narrower than 120 degrees. This not only accommodates spikes better, but makes it easier to get to your plants for care.

2. The heat production is much less than comparable lumens with other types of lighting. In some growing spaces this is important to allow the cooler days/nights that allow spiking of some types of orchids. For some other growers, this could be a disadvantage if their growing space is already too cool and then you have to use supplementary heating at some times that you didn't use before.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD