Plant lighting for beginners

[hemmy]

@Zoomie Quick bump and an update of the "plant" room. Spring will bring another 40 foot of shelf and lights to the left side -

Grimmy

Beautiful setup! But how do you keep from getting raided by the police? If we ever move back to the Midwest, I’m thinking I’ll have to give away free ficus starts at the police station and offer an intro bonsai class so they can understand this kind of special brand of crazy!

http://www.kctv5.com/story/23951053/leawood-family-seeks-7-million-for-swat-style

 

[Zoomie]

Beautiful setup! But how do you keep from getting raided by the police? If we ever move back to the Midwest, I’m thinking I’ll have to give away free ficus starts at the police station and offer an intro bonsai class so they can understand this kind of special brand of crazy!

http://www.kctv5.com/story/23951053/leawood-family-seeks-7-million-for-swat-style

This is a very serious concern for me. Our complex has gone to heck. It used to be nice apartments until new owners just recently rededicated 50 percent of the 440 apartments to section 8 housing. And while I may sound insensitive for those that need a hand up versus a hand out, the police show up 3 times week here. We’re stuck in our lease until June 2018.

My whining aside, I’m running these LED’s which are blinding. Even through the blinds I’m certain the pinkish hue will be visible. This is in a bedroom facing general areas and parking.

I should probably meander down to the police station and let them know.

Taken in daytime light.

 

[Zoomie]

Well, I’ve run in to my first problem setting up this rack. Originally I wanted to test T8, T5, and LeD and compare health and growth rates. But these LED’s are miserable. They are beyond blinding.

Looks like it’s going to be t8 and T5. I don’t want to have to wear sunglasses in the house during the day.

 

[GrimLore]

Beautiful setup! But how do you keep from getting raided by the police?

The Police Chief's Mom lives across the street from me - all good and she loves what I have shown her outside and inside.

Grimmy

 

[GrimLore]

Looks like it’s going to be t8 and T5. I don’t want to have to wear sunglasses in the house during the day.

Cover the front of the LED section? Diffuse the light, inexpensive project boards all colors at he Dollar store...

Grimmy

 

[Zoomie]

Cover the front of the LED section? Diffuse the light, inexpensive project boards all colors at he Dollar store...

Grimmy

It’s just bad. And nowhere near pleasing to the eye. I’m still seeing stars. It’s just not worth it. I work at a desk in that room.

I really wanted to test them, but it ain’t happening.

Want me to send you one to play with Grimmy? You saw the par graph. It looks promising.

 

[GrimLore]

I really wanted to test them, but it ain’t happening.

Call me if you are done with dinner, we can also talk tools a bit.

Grimmy

 

[Zoomie]

Call me if you are done with dinner, we can also talk tools a bit.

Grimmy

Roger give me 10 and I’ll call.

 

[milehigh_7]

Doors always open, bring plants to work on too! Some bring as many as 30 - no BS. We make a weekend of it, good food, beer, or whatever Casual too! The "almost" done guest room sleeps 2 - 4 atm. If bringing young ones, tell them to pack a game system and we have LED displays.

Grimmy

Wish I was closer I would pop in some time. We could find something to talk about I'm sure!

 

[GrimLore]

Wish I was closer I would pop in some time. We could find something to talk about I'm sure!

Could be interesting and fun. Perhaps we will meet along the Journey as Crystal likes to travel the states.

Grimmy

 

[M. Frary]

Could be interesting and fun. Perhaps we will meet along the Journey as Crystal likes to travel the states.

Grimmy

Northern Michigan is nice in the winter.

 

[GrimLore]

Northern Michigan is nice in the winter.

pfffffffffffffffft

Grimmy

 

[ABCarve]

I just spoke with that turtle’s mom. She said that you’re ugly.

She is and they are great fun. Mom has been a resident of my pond for 23 years and I watch her lay eggs each spring, tearing up my garden plants looking for the best place for her multiple nests. Sometimes they are false nest to throw the off the raccoons. I mark them with a chopstick and follow their progress. This year seems a bit late. The new hatches don't seem to hang around ( there is only one permanent resident turtle) to long as I find these guys heading down my driveway looking for new digs. Maybe fear of being eaten by mom.

 

[milehigh_7]

Northern Michigan is nice in the winter.

Just so you all know, from now till about May our highs will be between 70 and 80 so Y'all come!

 

[Zoomie]

Putting one of the new lighting banks to work to dry sand.

Here’s a LUX reading too, in case anyone is wondering what a 4x4 t5ho puts out at a distance of 15 inches. I’ll do closer readings after I get this mess under control.

I won’t have a par meter until Monday to tell us the rest of the story. I’d say 189k is plenty bright for the crankiest of indoor species.

 

[milehigh_7]

Yep, that ought to do it! Now let's get you hooked up with some stuff!

 

[Zoomie]

Yep, that ought to do it! Now let's get you hooked up with some stuff!

I’m grateful and making a shopping list as we speak.

Ive also got regular t5 too so less light demanding plants can chill.

I’m buying a second one of these. Heat is negligible and they are dead quiet.

Slowly but surely, my little slice of heaven is coming together. Thanks to a number of members here!

 

[milehigh_7]

A quick tip, if the end of your shelves are open to the room, you need to put up flat white (NOT GLOSS OR REFLECTIVE) ends on your shelves to reflect the light back in. Glossy/reflective surfaces create uneven "hotspots" in the color spectrum that is reflected.

 

[Zoomie]

I can do that.

 

[milehigh_7]

Paper works just fine in a pinch. They sell really expensive film just for that purpose at the hydroponics stores but you don't really need it. Wood painted flat white works as well.