Succulents under LED 4000k (2000 lumens)?
Comments (11)
Nick P
7 years agoRelated Discussions
LED Under Cabinet Lighting
Comments (2)Not sure. I would do the following 1. Assume 200 lumens per ft (max output) 2. Do a mock up layout. 3. Count the number of strips required for each possible vendor. 4. Layout string to represent wiring from the transformer/ dimming power supply to each run of lights. 5. Measure the strings. There are tables to help determine the wire gauge to use with each run given the total power draw - (line loss, power consumed by each type of led bar/ strip) 6. The total number of strips, lengths of wire will help determine the required capacity of the dimming power supply ( Add a 10% - 15% margin)....See MoreArtificial Light Spectrum
Comments (49)Christina, some of the key differences between CFL bulbs that fit any old light socket, and T5HO fixtures with long tubes is how the power and light is distributed. CFLs are twisty, which means the light goes in all directions, and in particular is not primarily projected out the "front" when plugged into a socket. In addition the CFL bulbs have an internal balast/driver to power them, which has to be small and cheap - so it is also usually not very efficient. This means it'll make a bunch of heat together with the light you want it to produce (every light does this, some more than others tho). T5HO fixtures usually have a reflector stretched all the way along one side of the long straight bulbs, so more light ends up going where you want and need it. The fixtures are also usually bigger, and the balast is separated from the bulbs with less size constraints so they are often more efficient (less heat for same amount of light, and -maybe- better power bills, but unless you have lot of lights running it's probably not very significant). That all said, CFL bulbs are cheap and easy, T5HO fixtures usually require a bit more planning, space, and $$ (however maybe not as many more $ as you assume). They both work pretty well at keeping your plants happy during winter. I started out my first winter shelf with a mishmash of CFL bulbs in hardware store shoplight clippy things, then moved to 2 foot 4 tube T5HO fixtures that fit perfectly with my 24 x 18" shelves a few months later and have been happy with them. But I like to tinker, so I'm always trying new stuff....See MoreHardwired LED Under Cabinet Lighting - Kelvin rating?
Comments (6)There are 3 separate aspects: 1. Color warmth--in Kelvin. I think 3000 is perfect. Not too warm and yellow and not the surgical suite/interrogation chamber look. 2. Color accuracy measured by the CRI (color rendering index). 100 is perfect fidelity to the true color. Lower CRI gives sick green tones. Make sure the CRI >90 so the colors are true. 3. Brightness is measured in lumens. For LED strips, look at the lumens/foot. These range widely by product with a good range being probably 125 to 350 lumens per foot. More lumens is brighter. With a dimmer you can go brighter as you can always turn it down. 4. Not mentioned but desirably is "dim to warm"--those are available in some fixtures/bulbs but at a premium price. In LED strips I have seen "tunable" white so that you can create different moods. Still pricey at this time but would be nice for the option of romantic candlelight glow all the way to bright and white....See MoreTemperature of LED Bulbs
Comments (16)I have found that my color preference is similar to Lars -- a bit either side of 3000K, but it can be hardest to find bulbs in that range. I can find 2700K more often and I will not go lower than that and I won't go over 3500k. When we walk the dogs at night, it surprises me how many houses have lights on in such different colors through their house. It would drive me bonkers, but I know I see color differently and it has been a thing for me ever since we started getting so many different kinds of bulbs. One has a dining room that is so cold it seems creepy to me, but I guess others don't see it? Bbstx, I would go higher in lumens or watt equivalence rather than color temperature if you want better light at the kitchen sink, You don't have to have that blue white light to get better or brighter light. ETA: we changed nearly all of our bulbs to LEDs years ago. We started with changing to enclosed can replacements (no dark gaps around the bulbs) in our family room because we needed to get new bulbs for a couple anyway and the trim rings were starting to break. At the time, one store had those for $50-60 each. We pulled the trigger when we found another store had the same exact units for $24. Not only did we notice a drop in the electric bill, we noticed a drop in the temperature in the room during the summer....See Morerina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoNick P
7 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years agoNick P
7 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years agoNick P
7 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
ewwmayo
7 years agoRina - You're spot on. Nothing to add there. =)
Merging some comments over from the other thread! [Artificial Light Spectrum[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/artificial-light-spectrum-dsvw-vd~3482922).Ez said, "i get the 3x2, but not sure about the 3rd dimension. One tier of plants in a two foot tall tent, or multiple tiers? If a single level of plants i think what you propose is very doable. There isn't a great output of heat with the t5's, so the tops of the foliage can be just an inch from the tubes."
Ez - Agreed that single level is doable and the bulbs can be quite close. My preferred distance is 2" or so, less than an inch can end up in burnt leaves (by touching the lamp) if you're not careful.
Nick said, "Oh it's LxWxH! I'm just a bit worried about there not being enough light for all the plants, but you think one's enough? One HO T5 or two bulb normal T8 fixture is all I can manage right now, which do you think would be the best? Or would neither be really good?"
Nick - One T5HO is far better than two T8's since you will have space to add an extra light if required. The 2xT8s would give you 20% more light output, but the better T5HO reflector could easily make up that difference.
You mentioned that you will have 10 plants? I'm not sure what pot sizes you plan on having, but here is a photo I just took of two of my setups.
I put measuring tape to show scale. There are around 115 succulents in this photo, mostly being Haworthia. Some on the bottom shelf are still rooting and most there are not well established yet. I have a second fixture ready to be installed; I'm just waiting for the plants to be able to take the higher light.
Only one side of this setup has mylar, the other sides are open for airflow. There is a fan set up to blow air on this setup during the day. Adding a second mylar sheet to the front would probably be even better, but I like being able to see my plants without having to move anything.
Hopefully that helps - seeing a real example often makes it easier to discuss.Nick P
7 years ago
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a