Rob-Rah Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Hi, I am planning to place lights inside/outside (?) my cold-frame terrarium in my greenhouse to assist with highland growing in there in the winter, when the UK is too dark. The tank is very humid (heated by waterbath in winter, and with ultrasonic fogger in summer) and 4 feet long x by 3 feet deep. Can someone tell me if the thing below looks ok to use? Importantly, do these things make a lot of heat, either upwards (i.e. will they fry whatever sits above them on the staging) or radiated downwards (into the tank)? http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.js...49&id=11408 Thanks for any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-Rah Posted January 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 Just bumping.... no-one have any advice on waterproof level and the power output of these for the space I have in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-Rah Posted April 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Bumping again. These look like the best I can do for the space I have. Further question.... This twin light fitting is 116W (2 x 58W Osram T8 1.5m). The lights will be around 1-2 feet away from the plants. The tank is under the staging in a greenhouse (I guess it's semi-shade to bright shade in summer, and shade in winter). I want to be able to make macro-utrics and highland neps happy. Is this going to be enough light? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimfoxy Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Looks like nobody knows. :-k The light fittings you are looking at in Screwfix have IP65. Technically, this means they are totally protected against dust ingress and low pressure water from any direction (but limited ingress permitted). Should be ok from that point of view. Of course, any holes for wiring etc have should be made waterproof, too. Flourescent lights are about 40% efficient (I think). If your total will be 120W then you will be generating about 50W of heat. This will mostly be in the ballast part of the light fitting (if that's how these ones work - can't see). Spread over 1500mm of metal frame, that's enough to make it warm but not too hot to touch. Most of the heat will rise - I really do not think you will cook the plants below the light with this arrangement. You could hang them an inch or so under the bench above them using a hook and chain both ends (that way you can easily take links up or let links out to raise and lower) - probably safer than screwing direct as it allows the air to move - or put something tropical above them! Probably worth putting tough plastic sheeting on the bench above them, too, so no water falls on them, just in case. Be careful that any electrics are reasonably sealed, and environmentally ok if you are in a high humidity environment. Silicone sealant is usually good for sealing all the gaps (apply when dry and leave for 24hrs). Can't say if that's enough light or not - hopefully, someone else can answer that. I know the type of light is important (warm white?) and extended light hours are usually necessary. 1-2' may be too far, but then you are supplimenting so not sure. You can always move them closer or further away depending on what your plants tell you. I hope to have a greenhouse soon - hope it can looks as good as yours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-Rah Posted April 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 What the heck. I'll give it a go and see.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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