LED Without LEDs -My First T5 Grow

[novice11]

Yes, I am forced to do this piecemeal due to the usual $$ issues, LOL.

So I have the 3 Fuji and the 1 Red Sun. Even though I am in bloom, you are saying I should go with the Blue Super Actinic and/or the 454 next? Then the 75.25, or is that just for Veg? Then finish with the rest of the Red Sun? THANKS (as always).

 

[pr0fesseur]

it's refreshing to find some people that see the science smacking them in the face too. I spent ten years selling the aquarium lightings and have been wondering why no one is talking about using these bulbs. most people tell me i'm crazy and aquarium bulbs won't work because I'm asking them questions they don't know the answers to. i always used 10K/420 actinic 50/50 PC bulbs for my veg and had good results in the past. I want to add some actinic into the mix for next veg cycle and start playing with different bulbs. Aquaticlife has a line of bulbs I've used in the past for reef and aquatic plants. I am by no means a rep. Just a satisfied customer. They make a 10K, 420/460 nm, 460/420 nm, 6000k and a roseate 650 nm bulb. If your having trouble finding red, their 650nm is worth looking at.
the link is for the actinic bulbs
http://www.aquaticlife.com/products2/337#1
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Ive seen those ... but i feel that 25% of the light on average comes from 550 nm and that is useless for plant growth... they make "fish" "look" good though! makes the color "pop" to the eye...
I try to stay away from mixed bulbs and use single nm range bulbs to get the highest PAR for my $$$

 

[pr0fesseur]

Yes, I am forced to do this piecemeal due to the usual $$ issues, LOL.

So I have the 3 Fuji and the 1 Red Sun. Even though I am in bloom, you are saying I should go with the Blue Super Actinic and/or the 454 next? Then the 75.25, or is that just for Veg? Then finish with the rest of the Red Sun? THANKS (as always).

ges the super blue or blue plus.. you need lots of 410-460nm light!that the best light to stimulate growth and resin production... red lights tell the plant to shift lifecycle... but lots of blue is needed still for increased photosynthesis and respiration as plants respirate better under blue light...less cellular damage...

 

[novice11]

Okay. Super blue = UVL Super Actinic @ 420nm, blue plus = UVL 454nm ?

If correct, then the only bulb that would get swapped out altogether when going from veg to bloom would be the 75.25?

Once I have this down correctly, I would like to put together a matrix of what bulbs to use and when for both a 8 bulb and 6 bulb array. I will run this by you of course. I think it would make it easier for the newly converted - like me - to see what to do and when in one convenient spot. Instead of peppering you with the same or similar requests, there would be no need to ask these questions, and I will be happy to do that.

 

[pr0fesseur]

Okay. Super blue = UVL Super Actinic @ 420nm, blue plus = UVL 454nm ?

If correct, then the only bulb that would get swapped out altogether when going from veg to bloom would be the 75.25?

Once I have this down correctly, I would like to put together a matrix of what bulbs to use and when for both a 8 bulb and 6 bulb array. I will run this by you of course. I think it would make it easier for the newly converted - like me - to see what to do and when in one convenient spot. Instead of peppering you with the same or similar requests, there would be no need to ask these questions, and I will be happy to do that.

Ive laid out the setup before multiple times, it really is in the thread if you read it... i only change out the red sun and 75.25... thats it... always use the actinics.. change out the non actinics for the red suns... and you dont really need but 2 in an 8 fixture
Always here to help ...
I do really deserve a stickey for this Thread!

 

[MurshDawg]

Hey there Pr0fesseur, Have you tried any lights by a company called Wave Point? I really like the Super Violet and The Super Daylight (12,000k). I would like your opinion before I send out for a $100 order for bulbs. Thanks again for your work.

 

[pr0fesseur]

Hey there Pr0fesseur, Have you tried any lights by a company called Wave Point? I really like the Super Violet and The Super Daylight (12,000k). I would like your opinion before I send out for a $100 order for bulbs. Thanks again for your work.

I commented on their bulbs a few posts ago....i would only buy their actinics and nothing else... too many companies with too many combinations stick to single wavelength bulbs
Coral wave
reef wave
super blue
stay away from the others... UVL is the only company that have internal reflectors i would stick with those! more light for your $

 

[MurshDawg]

my apologies but just to be sure if I ran V-HO bulbs on an HO ballast can I expect to get the 5000 lumens produced by HO bulbs?

 

[MurshDawg]

I really like UVL as a bulb company they have a nice selection and their sales material are very informative.

 

[pr0fesseur]

my apologies but just to be sure if I ran V-HO bulbs on an HO ballast can I expect to get the 5000 lumens produced by HO bulbs?

No worries its not about lumens..... but PAR... if you have close to 100% par your fine! my bulb combo is ~96%Par you could have 100000 lumens @ %10PAR and my light would kill yours

 

[salvador60]

my apologies but just to be sure if I ran V-HO bulbs on an HO ballast can I expect to get the 5000 lumens produced by HO bulbs?

i sold aquarium lights for a long time, and i had a customer who was big into freshwater plants that swore by using the t-12 VHO's in the reg t-12 fixtures because they would hold spectrum longer.

 

[novice11]

Ive laid out the setup before multiple times, it really is in the thread if you read it... i only change out the red sun and 75.25... thats it... always use the actinics.. change out the non actinics for the red suns... and you dont really need but 2 in an 8 fixture
Always here to help ...
I do really deserve a stickey for this Thread!

Yes you do!!!

A point of confusion in the above reply. You said (in a previous post) for an 8 bulb array to use FUJI / BLUE / RED / FUJI / 75.25 / RED / BLUE / FUJI for VEG phase. For BLOOM phase, swap out the 75.25 for RED. If I do that, I will have 3 RED bulbs, but in the above reply, you say only 2 RED bulbs are necessary, thus my confusion.

Do I really swap out the 75.25 for a RED for a total of 3 RED? If not, then what? Another BLUE doesn't seem right. Another FUJI?

I just want my girls to have the light they need!

Thanks as always, pr0fesseur!

 

[novice11]

A note to all - according to Aquarium Specialty, the RED SUN is now referred to by UVL as RED LIFE.

 

[pr0fesseur]

Yes you do!!!

A point of confusion in the above reply. You said (in a previous post) for an 8 bulb array to use FUJI / BLUE / RED / FUJI / 75.25 / RED / BLUE / FUJI for VEG phase. For BLOOM phase, swap out the 75.25 for RED. If I do that, I will have 3 RED bulbs, but in the above reply, you say only 2 RED bulbs are necessary, thus my confusion.

Do I really swap out the 75.25 for a RED for a total of 3 RED? If not, then what? Another BLUE doesn't seem right. Another FUJI?

I just want my girls to have the light they need!

Thanks as always, pr0fesseur!

thats what I personally do... however you have to remember that the fujis are 50% red too.... 3 reds in a fixture "for me" shift the balance of light from more blue to more red... again you dont NEED 3 thats just because i have a PRO COLOR which is DEEP red...i like to swap that in when blooming... pro colors are no longer avail in 48" so i am looking for a replacement in the LED arena @ 660nm+

 

[pr0fesseur]

i sold aquarium lights for a long time, and i had a customer who was big into freshwater plants that swore by using the t-12 VHO's in the reg t-12 fixtures because they would hold spectrum longer.

t12 are just not as efficient as t5. bottom line. better PAR with t5. better color, better phosphors, =WIN.

 

[pr0fesseur]

BTW sharks breath official weigh in 31.22 grams dry... not to shabby...

 

[novice11]

Thanks for clearing that up pr0fesseur. I just ordered the rest of the bulbs I need to complete the array. What I like about this is that even though you have to buy some pricey bulbs, you only need 9 for both veg and bloom.

I guess I can join the group you started now.

 

[pr0fesseur]

Your welcome... Yup 9 bulbs instead of 16... your saving money already!

 

[PetFlora]

9 bulbs? My Quantum runs on even numbers. If one bulb goes out the adjacent bulb does not light. I have to use even numbers.

FYI I checked Quantum's site about a week ago, still no spectral photos

hth

 

[salvador60]

t12 are just not as efficient as t5. bottom line. better PAR with t5. better color, better phosphors, =WIN.

what i was getting at really is that in my experience with the t-12 lights at least, is that if you fire a VHO bulb at a lower wattage it will last longer than it's lower wattage counterpart. I have not tried or looked into under driving the t-5 VHO's though.