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My first post! Need help/recommendations with grow rack lighting

Hello!

So I'm upgrading my grow rack from a makeshift shoe rack conversion to a full fledged, multi-shelved growing environment. Now I must choose the lighting, which will be used for primarily nepenthes and drosera (for now).

I know I want florescent, I just don't know which one I really need. Here are the options I've narrowed it down to:

Lithonia Lighting Shoplight Diamond Plate Chrome Finish 50 In. 2 Light T8 Fluorescent Fixture:

75d8eabd-6902-4291-aca8-1693dada09c8_300.jpg


Link

For about $35 + cost of bulbs.

Is that reflector going to be good enough? How about 32 watt bulbs? With the highest lumen bulbs I could find (and at 6,500K), the most lumen I think I can get out of the fixture is around 5,800.

OR should I go with two of these?

21zjJdxDiDL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


Link

$43 a piece, bulbs included.

This fixture is actually meant for hydroponics and would produce 10,000 lumen with two of them.




Thoughts on which one I need to go with? If I can get away with the lower lumen output on the first one I'll go with that.

Or is there another fixture I should look at?

Thanks for everyone that provides advice. I plan on sticking around!
 
I would go for T5s, but that is by no means the most cost-effective T5 fixture available. Try contractorlighting.com. Otherwise, skip T8s; T12s are more economical if you ask me. The fixtures and tubes are both cheaper, even if they draw a little more, and I think that they're nearly identical in terms of light output.
~Joe
 
Any specific recommendations for things to look at on that site?

After a quick run through I did find this fixture, which is presumably the closest to my needs:

Link

$87 + cost of bulbs. The white enamel reflector kind of has me worried though.

It seems like two of the T5 fixtures I posted is the better deal. Bulbs + decent reflector.

And that isn't to say I know that much about lighting, I'm kind of in the dark (pun intended).

As bad as it sounds I was hoping someone would post a link to a specific fixture, with specific reasons why it's better than what I've posted. Hopefully I don't seem too needy :/ I'm just a noob that doesn't want to waste money.
 
Are you growing outside? Otherwise just get the high bays. You don't need the vapor tight casing. These are the ones that I use, and number of other members such as Avi8tor have also had great success with them:
http://www.contractorlighting.com/high-bay-fluorescent-4lmp-t5ho-120277-p-152.html
http://www.contractorlighting.com/high-bay-fluorescent-6lmp-t5ho-120277-p-153.html
I have several of the six-tube model but will probably get the four-tube ones next time around so that they fit more easily on my racks. The reason is pure and simple; these are dramatically cheaper than anything you'll find from a hydro shop, because these guys sell to contractors and not dumb kids trying to grow you-know-what. Also, they offer a spectacular warrantee on their merchandise; I had one ballast go out on one of mine about seven or eight months after I purchased them, and not only are they sending me a replacement, they're sending three - one for the dead one, two more for the ones that have been starting slow - and a case of new tubes to replace the six that went bad from being used with the faulty ballast. You won't find that kind of service from most hydro retailers.
~Joe
 
+1 for Joe's recommendations

Av
 
Hey, I just want to say thanks to you guys. I've been looking at so many fixtures the past couple of weeks and had so many people give me conflicting opinions I thought it was time to get advice from people that actually grow carnivorous plants.

I think I'm gonna go for that four tube fixture from Contractor Lighting.
 
If you buy those lights, do you also have to purchase the $18 cord/plug and a ballast for it to plug in like a normal shoplight?
 
You might want to try aquatraders.com for T5HO lighting in attractive fixtures and VERY reasonable prices.
 
  • #10
If you buy those lights, do you also have to purchase the $18 cord/plug and a ballast for it to plug in like a normal shoplight?

The ballast should be included and prewired inside the light. I can talk you through how to wire the light so you can just plug it in. I offer free over the phone electrical advise to all TF members. It's a benefit of a membership here.
 
  • #11
Thanks Ozzy, but I think I would be more successful if I were able to read some kind of directions. It seems like there should be a stickied thread specifically on wiring high bay lights (ideally from contractorlighting.com) for use with a three-prong plug. I read the thread posted above, but the pictures seemed to be outdated. I'm actually considering ordering the 4 tube t5ho fixture from them right now, possibly with the $18 plug already attached.
 
  • #12
really need to read all of the thread answers are there
 
  • #13
I decided to just purchase the plug with it. I don't want the lights to arrive and not be able to use it because of a few missing pieces needed for wiring.

---------- Post added at 09:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:48 AM ----------

As far as bulbs are concerned though, I have two aquarium supply stores within walking distance from my apartment. Haven't looked for bulbs yet, but I'm sure I'll find some.
 
  • #14
Just received the fixture and they forgot to include the plug... Waiting for a return call from one of the reps. Said he's going to send me the cord, but I have to obviously wire it myself.
 
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