Grow light help

[Dumzy]

I know this isnt really a plant forum, but im sure some of you might know the answer, anyways, i have a Ficus, a Shleffara and a Pothos, but i dont know what kind of grow light i would need... My cage is 36 inches tall, i was looking at this: https://www.amazon.com/Lights-Hgrop...2?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1469813597&sr=1-2 But i dont know if i need stronger, or weaker.. I need something that will make my plants grow fast.

 

[Vincentuanluu]

I use a regular house flourscent light (daylight 5.5k) x2 and my banana tree, parlour Palm and pothos been growing out of control to point I'm planning repotting it and move to larger cage.

Had them for about 2 weeks. I'll take picture of them tommorow and a before picture so you'll know how much they grew fast.

 

[Dumzy]

I use a regular house flourscent light (daylight 5.5k) x2 and my banana tree, parlour Palm and pothos been growing out of control to point I'm planning repotting it and move to larger cage.

Had them for about 2 weeks. I'll take picture of them tommorow and a before picture so you'll know how much they grew fast.

Where did u get the lights at? Cant find anywhere to get em

 

[Vincentuanluu]

Where did u get the lights at? Cant find anywhere to get em

Home hardware, Home Depot, or Rona.

They are 100W but uses 26W

 

[brownie64]

You want to buy something in the 6500K range. I got mine at Lowes.

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

Don't even waste your money on those bulbs. Go ahead and buy a JungleDawn LED they work much better than any light you will find at the stores and make your plants explode.

 

[jpowell86]

So, you can use all sorts of lights to keep a plant alive.....this does not mean that it is going to grow strong or be attractive.

Many keepers will put lights over their enclosures and get what they describe as explosive growth. It's a catch 22. The plant may grow vertically very fast....but this is because the light isn't strong enough and it is actually putting all of it's energy into getting closer to the light source.

It all comes down to how close the plant is to the light source. In chameleon enclosures, we always try to provide vertical area for the chameleon. In saying this,. you will need a light that can penetrate deep enough into the cage to give the beneficial light needed for your plants.

I have played around with many light sources to see their affect on plant growth. Kind of a hobby of mine. You have many options. I have used the CFL like @brownie64 showed above. I have had really nice results with them when cages have been filled with pothos or something of the like.

I like to run T5's over the top of my enclosures. Not only is the light more effective, I also like the looks of a flat fixture v a dome light. Aesthetics yes, but I have many enclosures and having that many domes would be quite ugly in my opinion.

I have also been playing with the jungle dawn lights. They make a LED that I have fallen in love with. It comes in three different size options. I have had amazing success with it. When really wanting a cage to look good, you have to use lights that not only induce growth, but they also need to be able to keep compact plants compact. This requires the right levels. Theses lights have done great with this. There is also a Jungle Dawn Mega Spot LED bulb that is fan cooled and it is AMAZING. The light resembles sunshine breaking through a canopy. It is awesome. Great plant growth and will grow anything I have put under it.......and the plants grow correctly.

There is nothing worse than looking at an enclosure that has been filled with great plants and a month later they are all leggy and ugly. The only way to avoid this is with good light.

With all that said, I would run with T5's or something from the Jungle Dawn line of products.

 

[Dumzy]

So, you can use all sorts of lights to keep a plant alive.....this does not mean that it is going to grow strong or be attractive.

Many keepers will put lights over their enclosures and get what they describe as explosive growth. It's a catch 22. The plant may grow vertically very fast....but this is because the light isn't strong enough and it is actually putting all of it's energy into getting closer to the light source.

It all comes down to how close the plant is to the light source. In chameleon enclosures, we always try to provide vertical area for the chameleon. In saying this,. you will need a light that can penetrate deep enough into the cage to give the beneficial light needed for your plants.

I have played around with many light sources to see their affect on plant growth. Kind of a hobby of mine. You have many options. I have used the CFL like @brownie64 showed above. I have had really nice results with them when cages have been filled with pothos or something of the like.

I like to run T5's over the top of my enclosures. Not only is the light more effective, I also like the looks of a flat fixture v a dome light. Aesthetics yes, but I have many enclosures and having that many domes would be quite ugly in my opinion.

I have also been playing with the jungle dawn lights. They make a LED that I have fallen in love with. It comes in three different size options. I have had amazing success with it. When really wanting a cage to look good, you have to use lights that not only induce growth, but they also need to be able to keep compact plants compact. This requires the right levels. Theses lights have done great with this. There is also a Jungle Dawn Mega Spot LED bulb that is fan cooled and it is AMAZING. The light resembles sunshine breaking through a canopy. It is awesome. Great plant growth and will grow anything I have put under it.......and the plants grow correctly.

There is nothing worse than looking at an enclosure that has been filled with great plants and a month later they are all leggy and ugly. The only way to avoid this is with good light.

With all that said, I would run with T5's or something from the Jungle Dawn line of products.

Don't even waste your money on those bulbs. Go ahead and buy a JungleDawn LED they work much better than any light you will find at the stores and make your plants explode.

I need something that will make my plants massive, last a long time, isnt expensive (Under $20), and isnt a massive light. Jungledawns are too expensive, and i dont have a T5 fixture, is there anything that i can just get at a hardware store? Ive heard as long as its 6500k it will work fine..

 

[brownie64]

Don't even waste your money on those bulbs. Go ahead and buy a JungleDawn LED they work much better than any light you will find at the stores and make your plants explode.

I have heard a lot of great things about these lights, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to shell out the $70.00 price tag for them momma would kill me. Maybe I can get one for Christmas if I'm real good.

 

[jpowell86]

The only thing you will get for twenty or less is 1 CFL bulb and a dome from the hardware store.

There will be no massive growth......none.

Some of the most expensive costs in keeping chameleons is when doing a live panted enclosure. It takes a little cash to have the light you need. You might browse Craigslist and see if you can find some used fixtures.

There are also some T5 single bar fixtures that are sold on eBay for $19. You could get one for now and add some more later when you can swing it.

Unfortunately there are no corners to cut in this instance. Unless you have a sun room......lol

 

[brownie64]

I need something that will make my plants massive, last a long time, isnt expensive (Under $20), and isnt a massive light. Jungledawns are too expensive, and i dont have a T5 fixture, is there anything that i can just get at a hardware store? Ive heard as long as its 6500k it will work fine..

The one I showed you will work for growing plants, but if you want the best I'm afraid you will have to shell out some bucks for the Jungle dawn, or get a metal halide bulb.

 

[Nicholasdeaan]

I need something that will make my plants massive, last a long time, isnt expensive (Under $20), and isnt a massive light. Jungledawns are too expensive, and i dont have a T5 fixture, is there anything that i can just get at a hardware store? Ive heard as long as its 6500k it will work fine..

You wouldn't need a T5 fixture for the Jungle Dawn. Just a simple clamp lamp works. That's what I use.

I have heard a lot of great things about these lights, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to shell out the $70.00 price tag for them momma would kill me. Maybe I can get one for Christmas if I'm real good.

Man put that on your Christmas list. Lol You'll be happy you did. Yeah I know it sucks they're $70, but they last approximately 4-6 years, depending on how long you keep them on per day. So I'd say it's well worth it!