Viewing post #1015559 by hankz

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Dec 25, 2015 6:57 PM CST
Name: Hank Z
WNY state (Zone 6a)
Hello All and happy holidays.

Roose, I think the 2700k bulb will work insofar as the color temp and the additional red spectrum. Any of the "white" type led bulbs will have a mix of the color spectrum from blue to red. It is the proportions that will control whether they are "warm" (red) or "cool" blue. The intensity will probably be too low unless you provide some sort of a reflector though, as the specs you have given appear to be of one of the standard base type lamp bulbs that will not provide any directed light. I do not have any of the spectrum data for the philips 2700k bulbs but believe they will just have more red and a bit less blue than the 3000k that are available in in the linear Tled bulbs. Honestly, I would buy 2700k Tleds for my setup if they were available.

More info below that you or others may find useful.

I have been growing seedling plants under lights for lots of years. I mostly grow lilies that I hybridize, but this past year I grew lots of various annuals and perennials. In prior years all were grown under T12 shoplights with a 4100k color temperature, then eventually over to T8's. For the most part growth was reasonable except for one year when I went to 5000k color temp in an 800 series bulb. I believe the 800 series had a better color rendering index, but this was done with the color phosphors that illuminate the bulb. These 800 series bulbs while making things look better by eye, actually were shifting away from the color spectrum needed by the plants.

I am now growing most of the seedlings under leds. I have a few Philips commercial fixtures (not at all cheap), and a few of the fluorescent fixtures now running Phillips Tled Instant-Fit bulbs. Both work well. The Tleds I have used are 3500k. I will be purchasing a few more of the Tled bulbs but at a 3000k color temperature as I now have data that lead me to believe these will work better.
Thumb of 2015-12-26/hankz/58efa7
Above is a plot that I made showing the Philips Tled spectrum data at the wavelengths most important to photosynthesis. The most important part of the spectrum is in the 610 to 660 band (red to far red), and the blue spectrum at 460 to 470 is also important. Six to eight percent of the light requirement is from the blue spectrum region.

Cost difference to set up is 2 to 3 x greater using the Phillips commercial fixtures over the Phillips Tled. Power usage is 3 x 35 watts = 105 watts per shelf using the commercial fixture vs 3 x 44 watts = 132 watts using the Tleds. It will take quite a while to make up for the initial cost of the commercial units. The commercial units do run a bit cooler, although neither is overly warm. I have been able to use a 12 hour on 12 hour off schedule with the leds, where I used to use a 16 hour on cycle with the T8 fluorescent tubes.

The commercial units have a red to blue led ratio of 4 to 1. Probably not optimal as these are mostly designed for growing leaf type crops. I have noticed that not everything liked these lights (I should have made more notes and photos.) The commercial fixtures are difficult to work around as healthy leaves will appear black to very deep purple. It also temporarily makes everything look green when you get under normal light.

+ All in all both led setups work.
+ Led setups can be placed closer to the leaves without burning them.
+ Cheaper Tled setup may work better for some plants but will require some testing.

Thumb of 2015-12-26/hankz/2516ec Verbascum liking the commercial led grow fixtures
Thumb of 2015-12-26/hankz/7ef6d4 Lily seedlings under the commercial fixtures
Thumb of 2015-12-26/hankz/021fdb Various annual seedlings under the Tleds

Hankz
Hank Z
WNY near the Falls
Last edited by hankz Dec 25, 2015 7:30 PM Icon for preview

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