Two Types of Fluorescent Growing Lights

!±8± Two Types of Fluorescent Growing Lights

There are a few very different types of fluorescent grow lights that are being used today for indoor gardening. The most popular ones are T5 fluorescent lights and compact fluorescent lights. Both can be used effectively when growing indoors, and both will generally yield strong, healthy plants.

T5 lights are one of the newer types on the market, however they are not as new as the compacts. These are optimized for producing taller, bigger plants than other types of fluorescent lights. Also, they are most effectively used during the vegetative state of plant growth instead of the flowering state, but can still do both. T5 fluorescents are usually composed of multiple long bulbs side by side, usually around six or so. There are arched reflectors positioned above each of these bulbs to direct more light towards your plants. Unfortunately, T5 lights are fairly expensive, so if you are on a tight budget you may want to look into compact fluorescent grow lights over these. Again, these are not well suited for the flowering stage of growth, and may cause you to get only around half of your normal yield if you use them.

Compact forms of these lights are the newest types available today, and can be useful for many reasons. The bulbs are designed to maximize the bulb surface in a smaller space than usual, so they often put out the most light per surface area of the bulb. They can be convenient because they are easier to place around your plants. Instead of just putting one big T5 above all of your plants, you can put a few compact ones surrounding them, and maybe a few above. The customization aspect is certainly higher with compact fluorescents. They are also generally less expensive than the T5s' of course, so you may be able to save some money in the long run with them. The compact fluorescent lights also perform similarly to the T5s' considering it's the same type of lighting, but you can set them up easier with the compact ones.

These two types of fluorescent lights are both readily available in many stores, and they can both support fairly healthy plant growth. They may not produce plants quite as good as High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide lights would, but they will certainly work fine, especially for a new grower. If you are a little tight on money but want to start gardening indoors, definitely look into one of the two types of lights in this article.

Two Types of Fluorescent Growing Lights

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20 gallon buried discus tank

!±8± 20 gallon buried discus tank

This is an update on my 20 gallon planted aquarium. I have made a recent addition by adding a red turquoise discus. I paid forty bucks for him at a local pet store here in louisville kentucky. I have also added a hagen natural plant grow co2 system and a zoomed aquasun 24" HO T5 light fixture that is using a florasun 24 watt 5000 k light bulb and an ultrasun 24 watt 6500 k light bulb. Since I have perchased the new light fixture and the co2 system, my plants have began to grow more vigouresly and my aponogeton bulbs have started to sprout. Fauna: 1x brilliant red turqouise discus 5x harlequin rasbora 3x pineapple swordtail( all of who I raised myself) 2x corydoras adolfi 1x cardinal tetra Flora: dwarf lillies anachris aponogeton bulbs Equipment: hagen natural plant grow co2 system aquaculture power filter 100 watt radiant heater zoomed aquasun HO T5 24'' light fixture with a flora sun and ultra sun 24 watt light bulb(2.4 watts per gallon)

20 gallon buried discus tank

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How to Convert a Freshwater Aquarium to a Saltwater Aquarium

!±8± How to Convert a Freshwater Aquarium to a Saltwater Aquarium

Maybe you are ready to convert from freshwater to saltwater. A number of advanced freshwater hobbyists eventually decide to set up at least one saltwater fish tank. Perhaps you saw a spectacular aquarium at a friend's home or just need a new challenge to keep you interested in the hobby. With the experience acquired from maintaining a freshwater aquarium, it will help you avoid some of the costly beginner mistakes. Remember to be patient and research the fish and equipment you plan to purchase.

Beyond the aquarium, what other equipment is useful? Only some of the equipment, like heaters, powerheads and lights can be reused and even they may need to be replaced or upgraded. In general, gravel and substrates, undergravel filters, bubblers, and most painted decorations and plants shouldn't be reused in a saltwater aquarium.

Start by cleaning the aquarium with a warm water and vinegar solution to remove any calcium deposits. Rinse until the vinegar odor is gone. There is no need to use bleach or soap. Please note that if you used any Copper Based Medication in the aquarium, it shouldn't be reused for a saltwater reef tank because copper may be present in the silicone, which can leech out and be harmful to corals and other invertebrates. If you only plan to keep fish, a copper treated aquarium will be fine, otherwise you should purchase a new aquarium.

Next, soak the heaters and powerheads in a water and vinegar solution to remove any calcium deposits. Clean the impellers of the powerheads and scrub the heaters gently. If your heater is glass, consider upgrading to a Titanium Heater as they are more difficult to break and will not absorb salt. Most powerheads are suitable in the beginning, but some aquarists upgrade to stronger Powerheads as they become more interested in corals.

For smaller aquariums, standard Hang on the Back or Canister Filters will be acceptable for fish only aquariums. For those planning to keep a reef or have trouble with high nitrates, consider a Hang on the Back Protein Skimmer. A Protein Skimmer works by mixing water and air to create millions of microbubbles. Waste in the water attaches to the microbubbles and is forced into the neck of the Protein Skimmer. When the microbubbles burst, the waste is pushed into the collection cup where it no longer negatively affects water quality, unlike traditional sponge filters. Aquarists with tanks larger than 55 gallons should consider a sump with an In Sump Protein Skimmer, Wet/Dry Filter, Refugium or any combination of the three. Be sure to research the different methods and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

For lighting, new hobbyists only keeping fish will be able to reuse their current fluorescent fixture, but may want to replace their yellow plant bulbs with white daylight or Blue Actinic bulbs. If you plan to keep a reef aquarium with corals, you may need to upgrade your lighting to Power Compact, T5, Metal Halide or LED. These more intense forms of light, allow the corals to perform photosynthesis. Please note, the lights don't need to be upgraded immediate, they can be added once you start keeping corals.

You will also hear about this stuff called Live Rock. Live rock is rock from the ocean with living bacteria and organisms on it. Live Rock won't move by itself or physically grow in size. Live Rock provides extra filtration, a structure for fish to hide in and a place to mount corals. The typical reef aquarium needs.75 to 1.25 pounds of Live Rock per gallon, but this can vary based on the density of rock.

Instead of gravel or fluorite, most saltwater aquariums use Live Sand or Aragonite. These substrates provide a natural buffer against pH drops and won't need to be siphoned if maintained by the proper clean-up crew consisting of snails, crabs, starfish and shrimp.

Finally, a saltwater aquarium requires salt and some way to measure the salt. You should not use table salt or softener salt. Instead, purchase a Synthetic Salt Mix. To make saltwater with a specific gravity of 1.020, add approximately two cups of salt to five gallons of Reverse Osmosis or tap water. Stir until the salt is completely dissolved. Then measure the salinity or specific gravity with a Hydrometer or Refractometer. Most saltwater aquarists will use Reverse Osmosis water, as it is purified and contains no phosphates or nitrates like tap or well water. This will reduce algae growth and make the hobby easier.

How to Convert a Freshwater Aquarium to a Saltwater Aquarium

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Hydrofarm Commercial T5 4FT 8 Tube Fixture

!±8± Hydrofarm Commercial T5 4FT 8 Tube Fixture

Brand : Hydrofarm | Rate : | Price : $199.59
Post Date : Nov 07, 2011 09:48:05 | Usually ships in 24 hours

T5 Fluorescent Light SystemHydrofarm's newest T5 System delivers performance, flexibility and high lumen output in any growing environment. These systems allow you to choose multiple hanging configurations to meet your garden's design. They combine German specular aluminum with energy-efficient/high-output T5 bulbs and put out double the light energy of normal fluorescent systems.?Dual On/Off switches allow you to control the amount of lumens as needed (6 and 8 tube models only) ?UL Listed components, including German made socket and specular aluminum, for longer life ?Powder coated, pre-galvanized steel housing ?UL Listed ballast with 5 year warranty ?Low profile ?Hangs 3 ways - overhead, vertical or horizontal?10' grounded power cord?Includes fluorescent 6400K tubes8-lamp120v/60Hz3.78A454W3"H x 26"W x 46"LRated up to 37,600 lumens

• Includes fluorescent 6400K tubes
• Hangs 3 ways - overhead, vertical or horizontal
• 10' grounded power cord
• 6-lamp, low profile
• 120v/60Hz

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Growing With T5 Light Bulbs

!±8± Growing With T5 Light Bulbs

T5 light bulbs are the first type of light bulb that is serviced only by electronic ballasts. Smaller than previous models in the T series of bulbs, it is infamous for its lumens per watt efficiency. Developed in 1995, it became popular within the United States for the advantages it offered indoor gardeners. It is thus named because of the bulb's tubular shape, and the number 5 represents the diameter of the lamp. Its peak efficiency is achieved at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The financial savings that it afforded businesses and residential homes compared to previous models, including HO fluorescent bulbs, was astounding. However, the introduction of metal halide lamps quickly eclipsed the glory of the T5.

T5 light bulbs are ideal to use in enclosed spaces where there is not very much room for effective ventilation. It does require constant vigilance though, because the components do require a certain degree of care. These types of bulbs are not the most energy efficient on the market, especially when compared to metal halide bulbs, sodium vapor, or HO fluorescent bulbs. However, compared to older bulbs, they can still cut the potential use of energy in lighting by more than 60%.

Another popular feature of the T5 light bulbs (such as Sylvania Pentron Lamps) is the fact that they have a low mercury content. The bulb itself contains a coating on the inside of the bulb's glass, similar to that of HO fluorescent lights, that prevents the glass and its contained gases from absorbing mercury. This coating reduces the required amount of mercury from 15mg per lamp to 3mg per lamp. To prevent further absorption of mercury, it is most desirable to keep a lamp near its initial output.

T5 light bulbs are roughly 40% smaller than previous T series models. It also uses a smaller bi pin base compared to the medium bi pin base of older models. Like HO fluorescent bulbs, T5 bulbs are prone to developing cold spots. A cold spot rises and falls according to the temperature of the bulb. The life span of a T5 bulb is approximately 20,000 hours. For longevity, it cannot be beat. If you are a beginner gardener, this may be an ideal system for you to invest in because of its comparable low cost. If you change your mind about becoming a gardener, then you will not have wasted time or money on a hobby that disinterests you.

Growing With T5 Light Bulbs

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