growth rate motorized light track vs. dedicated light - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T10:26:15Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/growth-rate-motorized-light-track-vs-dedicated-light?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A274444&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noA couple of weeks ago, I circ…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2744442012-01-07T11:07:06.619ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>A couple of weeks ago, I circumvented purchasing a T-5HO lamp and went with a PL-L style. Very similar to high output t-5's only way cheaper (at least here they are, and a little more high output) if you decide to go that route their may be some potential benefits to PL-L <a href="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/artificiallighting/forum/topics/pl-l-lighting" rel="nofollow">http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/artificiallighting/forum/topic...</a></p>
<p>So far it is performing…</p>
<p>A couple of weeks ago, I circumvented purchasing a T-5HO lamp and went with a PL-L style. Very similar to high output t-5's only way cheaper (at least here they are, and a little more high output) if you decide to go that route their may be some potential benefits to PL-L <a rel="nofollow" href="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/artificiallighting/forum/topics/pl-l-lighting">http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/artificiallighting/forum/topic...</a></p>
<p>So far it is performing wonderfully, but the HPS set up is still ready and waiting for when it comes to flowering/fruiting time (habeneros and other freaky-hot peppers). Personally I'm just not real keen on fuorescents high output or not, for anything other than clones and sprouts and leafy greens. You just cant beat the lumen output of HID's. By the time you set up a comparable/adequate T-5 set-up (400+Watts) it is no longer that much cheaper, it's still hot as hell, and your still no where near the lumen/per Watt output </p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/group/artificiallighting/forum/topics/pl-l-lighting"></a>of HID's...Again just my personal preference, heck if it was just salads/leafy greens, the older and way, way cheaper T-8's do just fine as long as you keep them reasonably close to your plants.</p>
<p> ...Hmmm...The greenhouse is 2131 square feet and yes, I plan on selling some things that are grown in it, so technically... but I don't know if I'd call it "a commercial" operation? Realistically that's pretty small for what we are used to as a commercial greenhouse. No investors, self financed and it is on <em>my</em> land, so I like to think of it as a <em>large </em>Family/<em>very </em>small commercial greenhouse/ap system...<br/> <br/> <cite>Dino Pantelidis said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/growth-rate-motorized-light-track-vs-dedicated-light?xg_source=activity#4778851Comment274187"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Interesting points.</p>
<p>I should have mentioned that I (was) thinking more than one light for a raft as big as 10 ft.</p>
<p>people have mentioned using t5ho they are much cheaper, especially if utilizing a light mover.</p>
<p>I need to read up on the LAR looks quite interesting. <br/><br/>Vlad - is your greenhouse for commercial purposes?</p>
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</blockquote> This was to simulate extreme …tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2741962012-01-07T06:44:59.542ZCarey Mahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CareyMa
<p>This was to simulate extreme conditions that lacked any external light (sunlight) as in subterranean or the dark side of the moon. </p>
<p>In the sense that light was distributed more evenly thus better, more uniform growth. No burned/ scorched areas (too much heat). No yellow or dark green or stretched out areas from lacking of light. It was also cheaper to run lights (12-30%) in a tighter checkered pattern with no loss of productivity vs. using the traditional in line method…</p>
<p>This was to simulate extreme conditions that lacked any external light (sunlight) as in subterranean or the dark side of the moon. </p>
<p>In the sense that light was distributed more evenly thus better, more uniform growth. No burned/ scorched areas (too much heat). No yellow or dark green or stretched out areas from lacking of light. It was also cheaper to run lights (12-30%) in a tighter checkered pattern with no loss of productivity vs. using the traditional in line method and prescribed lighting calculations. </p>
<p>These lights were controlled using X-10 (power-line carrier) automation on a simple algorithm that turned off one set of lights as the next set became brighter. In other words, a three minute delay.</p>
<p>Of course you have the ultimate setup with water cooled track lighting . Oh how I envy your toys....I'm sure I'll be able to play like that again in the near future...as soon as I can get someone to finance another lab;) :P</p> Hey Carey, what do you mean…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2741952012-01-07T06:12:44.022ZJesse Hullhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JesseHull
<p>Hey Carey, what do you mean by "more efficient"?</p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Carey Ma said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/growth-rate-motorized-light-track-vs-dedicated-light?xg_source=activity#4778851Comment274416"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I did an experiment in the mid eighties while working for an unnameable agency in California. The advantage of moving lights is that you get a more even light and heat distribution while using less lighting…</p>
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<p>Hey Carey, what do you mean by "more efficient"?</p>
<p><br/> <cite>Carey Ma said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/growth-rate-motorized-light-track-vs-dedicated-light?xg_source=activity#4778851Comment274416"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I did an experiment in the mid eighties while working for an unnameable agency in California. The advantage of moving lights is that you get a more even light and heat distribution while using less lighting units. However, in large scale application, it was more efficient to have two sets (twice the amount) of lights that are switched on and off in a checker board configuration, on rotation than one set of moving lights. This simulates intermittent shade from trees or clouds. </p>
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<p>As far as growth rates go, it is about the same due to the fact that it is the amount of PAR (photo active radiation) that the plant is able to absorb. The only way to boost productivity is to increase the wattage. Although I use 600 watt lights tho grow most fruit bearing veggies, the industry standard is to use 100 watts. On a side note: High wattage is not necessary for leafy greens.</p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Cheers</p>
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</blockquote> Jesse my friend! Congratulati…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2744382012-01-07T06:01:23.307ZCarey Mahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CareyMa
<p>Jesse my friend! Congratulations!.....You are rich!</p>
<p>Jesse my friend! Congratulations!.....You are rich!</p> I have one of these Volksgard…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2742872012-01-07T05:59:03.580ZJesse Hullhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/JesseHull
<p>I have one of these Volksgardens here at home. We've been considering where to set it up in addition to our current garden.</p>
<p>They are a bit of a pain to plant and harvest, the plant holders don't slide in and out as easy as they might seem. Not bad though if you're just running one or a few. </p>
<p>Also, rockwool... *shiver*. I used to have to stock and sell that stuff, and it makes me itch just thinking of it. </p>
<p><br></br> <cite>Vlad Jovanovic said:…</cite></p>
<p>I have one of these Volksgardens here at home. We've been considering where to set it up in addition to our current garden.</p>
<p>They are a bit of a pain to plant and harvest, the plant holders don't slide in and out as easy as they might seem. Not bad though if you're just running one or a few. </p>
<p>Also, rockwool... *shiver*. I used to have to stock and sell that stuff, and it makes me itch just thinking of it. </p>
<p><br/> <cite>Vlad Jovanovic said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/growth-rate-motorized-light-track-vs-dedicated-light?xg_source=activity#4778851Comment274340"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Yeah but this just looks <em>sooo </em>much cooler than the Coliseum system<img src="http://www.bkserv.net/images/Smile.gif"/></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772196709?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772196709?profile=original" width="233" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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</blockquote> Oh, another point is that yes…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2741892012-01-07T05:43:50.069ZCarey Mahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CareyMa
<p>Oh, another point is that yes track lights are good, no doubt about it but, it's kind of expensive and not worth the cost for most hobby and or commercial growers (unless you 1. can convert an old garage door opener or 2. are growing medical herbs).</p>
<p>Oh, another point is that yes track lights are good, no doubt about it but, it's kind of expensive and not worth the cost for most hobby and or commercial growers (unless you 1. can convert an old garage door opener or 2. are growing medical herbs).</p> Interesting points.
I should…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2741872012-01-07T05:37:48.168ZDino Pantelidishttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DinoPantelidis
<p>Interesting points.</p>
<p>I should have mentioned that I (was) thinking more than one light for a raft as big as 10 ft.</p>
<p>people have mentioned using t5ho they are much cheaper, especially if utilizing a light mover.</p>
<p>I need to read up on the LAR looks quite interesting. <br/><br/>Vlad - is your greenhouse for commercial purposes?</p>
<p>Interesting points.</p>
<p>I should have mentioned that I (was) thinking more than one light for a raft as big as 10 ft.</p>
<p>people have mentioned using t5ho they are much cheaper, especially if utilizing a light mover.</p>
<p>I need to read up on the LAR looks quite interesting. <br/><br/>Vlad - is your greenhouse for commercial purposes?</p> Yes definitively a very big K…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2741742012-01-07T02:42:17.756ZCarey Mahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CareyMa
<p>Yes definitively a very big Kewl factor...but not quite as energy efficient...bang for the buck per sq ft/ heat dissipation/ simplicity and more importantly to us is the ability to adapt a recirculating aquaculture to become AP.</p>
<p>Yes definitively a very big Kewl factor...but not quite as energy efficient...bang for the buck per sq ft/ heat dissipation/ simplicity and more importantly to us is the ability to adapt a recirculating aquaculture to become AP.</p> Yeah but this just looks sooo…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2743402012-01-07T02:00:32.244ZVlad Jovanovichttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/VladJovanovic
<p>Yeah but this just looks <em>sooo </em>much cooler than the Coliseum system :)</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772196709?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772196709?profile=original" width="233" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>Yeah but this just looks <em>sooo </em>much cooler than the Coliseum system :)</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772196709?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2772196709?profile=original" width="233" class="align-center"/></a></p> yep one kW...all in the name…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-01-07:4778851:Comment:2742682012-01-07T01:18:17.031ZCarey Mahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/CareyMa
<p>yep one kW...all in the name of science. Although it is more energy efficient to do it in a checker board design, it is too costly in capitol expense for profit making enterprises to justify the little bit of growth enhancement. </p>
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<p>If you are looking for maximum grow efficiency in a low light, enclosed area (like a basement). The best grow method is using a tower configuration (google colosseum) with verticle lighting. Tall towers can use verticle movers for…</p>
<p>yep one kW...all in the name of science. Although it is more energy efficient to do it in a checker board design, it is too costly in capitol expense for profit making enterprises to justify the little bit of growth enhancement. </p>
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<p>If you are looking for maximum grow efficiency in a low light, enclosed area (like a basement). The best grow method is using a tower configuration (google colosseum) with verticle lighting. Tall towers can use verticle movers for maximum efficiency. </p>