increasing light levels on grow stand

[Ironwood]

4 foot 54 watt T5 lamps have their own unique pin placement for mounting so you would be much better off to get complete fixture designed for T5 lamps. T5 lamps have an electronic ballast that makes them more efficient. Another advantage of T5 lighting is the fact they only loose about 5% of output throughout their life as compared to 30 to 40 % loss for other fluorescents and HID systems. The lamp life is 20,000 hours, twice the life of other fluorescents.

I grow catts under these and it is almost too much light for them (red in the leaves) and the lights are more than 3 feet above the bench (about 1900 to 2000 foot candles at bench), also have mylar on walls. Some oncidiums turn very yellow and it will stunt their growth from the 14 hour cooking I give them under these lights.

4 T5's with the proper reflectors would provide enough light to grow phals 8 to 10 feet away from lights.