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From: Al Wootten <awootten at NRAO.EDU>
Subject: Re: Grow Lights
Comments: To: Ken Mosher <ken at SPATULACITY.COM>
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Hi Ken
You wrote:
--------
"when they burn out" isn't really the best answer. The light output
level of fluorescent tubes drops with age. If you're running them 12
hrs/day and you want to maintain decent light levels then you should
probably replace them after about 6-8 months (for standard household
tubes). Fluorescent "grow lights" are supposed to last longer but cost
more. At some level of usage the more expensive lights are more cost
effective but I've never tried to determine where the lines cross.

At the very least they should be replaced when you notice (more)
flickering and one or both ends begin to darken.
----------

Thanks.  I mix the grow lights with standard household warm lights in my =2-light
fixture.  Orchid growth clearly suffers for the Cattleyas and I should ha=ve
a four light fixture but it is all I can do just to water them.  I've tho=ught
that more heat would just stress them more, given my poor level of attent=ion.
Of course there are various grow light types.  I use whatever Lowe's carr=ies
at the moment and have replaced the grow tubes every two years, when I ca=n
remember which the second year is.  As you note, usually the darkening
'edge of night' is a good memory jog.

Clear skies,
Al
+----------------------------------------------------------+
|Al Wootten, Slacktide, Sturgeon Creek at the Rappahannock |
|Astronomer (http://www.cv.nrao.edu/~awootten/)            |
|NoWorkAllPlay homepage  http://members.tripod.com/~astral |
|Deltaville, Virginia 23043                                |
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