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Post by Seymour on Dec 8, 2016 18:44:33 GMT -5
So i have a single shelf setup at the moment. I run a 24" shop light with 2 17watt T8 bulbs at 6000k light temp. Plants grow well, i get high germination rates and my droseras dew nicely. I have come to aquire a 30Amp 12v power supply from an old subwoofer display. And i have part boxes at work of HID headlamps. I decided to swap my shop light out for a 35watt 6000k 12v HID lamp. I used a phone ap to compare lux readings at the base of my plants and i have found that my readings are almost 3x higher with the HID bulb. I think i will try this out for a while and post my findings. Anyone else try automtive lighting for grow lights??
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Post by mackthompson on Dec 9, 2016 8:52:28 GMT -5
I was considering doing this! It will be interesting to see how the plants do.
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Post by Seymour on Dec 9, 2016 9:08:55 GMT -5
I have seen mixed posts on the internet about it. But one guy on a different plant growing forum was able to get his plants to bud and flower with them. Im willing to try it especially because all the components to set it up were free.
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Post by shoggoths on Dec 9, 2016 9:17:05 GMT -5
Nice job. I'm really interested in your setup.
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Post by Seymour on Dec 9, 2016 9:22:56 GMT -5
I can post more photos tonight. My plan is to expand to 2 shelves and 4 dome trays. That way theres more space per plant and i can grow moss in between the pots. If it works i can get 2 bulbs and 2 ballasts for $60 CDN. thats cheap lighting imo.
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Post by WillyCKH on Dec 9, 2016 11:23:34 GMT -5
Is there any cooling mechanism? Interesting setup, definitely keep us posted
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Post by Seymour on Dec 9, 2016 11:41:14 GMT -5
Again ill show a pick tonight but the bulb is not cooled. I have a lasagna tin above it to keep the heat off my shelf and reflect light down. The ballast gets hot but not enough to burn anything. But i did however put a heat exchanger i had lying around on it to draw the heat out and cool it. It looks backyard but its doing the trick for now. The power supply has its own heatsinks and fan.
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Post by WillyCKH on Dec 9, 2016 11:46:37 GMT -5
Again ill show a pick tonight but the bulb is not cooled. I have a lasagna tin above it to keep the heat off my shelf and reflect light down. The ballast gets hot but not enough to burn anything. But i did however put a heat exchanger i had lying around on it to draw the heat out and cool it. It looks backyard but its doing the trick for now. The power supply has its own heatsinks and fan. no worries about its looks, my DIYs are much more ghetto so I understand haha
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Post by Seymour on Dec 9, 2016 12:25:52 GMT -5
I have to thank you willy, i saw your square tin plates in your photos and had to raid the freezer and cook lasagna to get one lmao.
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Post by dvg on Dec 9, 2016 14:42:42 GMT -5
Nice work Seymour. dvg
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Post by atom on Dec 9, 2016 17:16:02 GMT -5
Definitely staying tuned to this thread! I'm very curious about the outcome. Got a brand new HID light I've been trying to sell, but maybe I'll have to keep it!
Very neat looking set-up too. I need to get myself some square pots!
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Post by Seymour on Dec 9, 2016 18:17:04 GMT -5
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Post by Seymour on Dec 9, 2016 18:41:56 GMT -5
I know its only been 48hrs but this D. Hamiltonii is not usually this dewy. I did not spray it with water prior to the photo.
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Post by WillyCKH on Dec 10, 2016 1:49:10 GMT -5
Great job, D. Hamiltonii is hard to please.
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Post by lloyd on Dec 10, 2016 5:31:02 GMT -5
Strangely, I find D. hamiltonii easy, much like a terrestrial utric. The only trick is that when the plants dwindle every year or two, you repot the roots and off they go.
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