Hi guys,
After pondering about the issue for about 2 years now, I have finally decided to step up and upgrade my lighting.
Currently I am using a 4' T5 system (4 bulb: 54watts/bulb) (20000 lumens) + 4' T8 (2 bulbs) to light my two WxLxH (2' x 2' x 3') tanks.
The upgrade options are as follows:
1) Get a 4' T5 system (6 tube: 54watts/bulb) : 30000 lumens. Use that as a single fixture on the tanks. approx 225$ with bulbs.
2) Get two 200 watt 6400K Sunblaster CFL. One for each tank. Average lumen output per bulb is 15000 lumens. (http://sunblasterlighting.com/125-200-watt-cfl-lamp.php) 150$/bulb setup with fixture
The purpose is to get good colour in my plants without cooking them. I thought about it and MH and HPS lights are just unfeasable to keep temperatures down. The plants are raised about 1' from the bottom by trays, pots whatever.
What do u guys think is a better upgrade? Which one might offer a more bang for the buck and not just an incremental upgrade over my current system?
thanks,
Varun
After pondering about the issue for about 2 years now, I have finally decided to step up and upgrade my lighting.
Currently I am using a 4' T5 system (4 bulb: 54watts/bulb) (20000 lumens) + 4' T8 (2 bulbs) to light my two WxLxH (2' x 2' x 3') tanks.
The upgrade options are as follows:
1) Get a 4' T5 system (6 tube: 54watts/bulb) : 30000 lumens. Use that as a single fixture on the tanks. approx 225$ with bulbs.
2) Get two 200 watt 6400K Sunblaster CFL. One for each tank. Average lumen output per bulb is 15000 lumens. (http://sunblasterlighting.com/125-200-watt-cfl-lamp.php) 150$/bulb setup with fixture
The purpose is to get good colour in my plants without cooking them. I thought about it and MH and HPS lights are just unfeasable to keep temperatures down. The plants are raised about 1' from the bottom by trays, pots whatever.
What do u guys think is a better upgrade? Which one might offer a more bang for the buck and not just an incremental upgrade over my current system?
thanks,
Varun