lighting system

[winterkid]

the total cost is RM 30
items used:
1)philips 865 cool daylight
2)reflector
3)6 metre of wire
4)electric ballast
here is some pics of my home made lighting system for CPs............

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[Harris Azariel]

nice setup!
i wish im good at setting wires so i can use fluorescent bulbs.i use CFL bulbs

[winterkid]

Thx harris. .as u see the light I used is only a short one so I dont have space to sow many seeds.
I expect to buy some plants from mr lim....my light space Is realy limited.

[piscesilim]

You need to change the electric ballast to electronic ballast. Because electric ballast produces a lot of heat!

[winterkid]

Are they different? And I dont know if its a eletric or eletronic ballast?
And how do I change to an electronic ballast?

[tzestan]

This is a magnetic ballast. It is heavy but durable.
Electronic version is lighter and does not need a starter (the round can).
More expensive. Upon startup, electronic ballast does not flicker. There is no humming noise as generated on some magnetic ballasts.

I don't know about others' experience. Personally, I don't find electronic ballast reliable. Broken a few, Philips and China brand. Seems not suitable for environment above 40C.

[winterkid]

I don't think that heat is affecting my gemmae n vft seedling under the light. . . .i on the light only at night. . . Temps drop abit than the day.

[piscesilim]

May be sundew and VFT are ok. But I think Mex. pings may not grow well.

[winterkid]

Mex pings dont like warm temps? Meby I will try to grow one before I start growing a few. . . . Any candidates from your price list mr lim?

[cbkhoon]

my personal opinion:

1) put 2 pcs 865 lamp instead of one, 18w is not enuf at all and your plant growth will be slow, i tried this before i change to use 39w T5HO lamp.
If you have 2pcs , then u wil have 36w, that is something much cheaper to try instead of upgrading to use T5HO.

2) use electronic ballast to save more power, you do not want to see a hike in your electric bill, do you ? make sure water does not splash on to the ballast then it will be safe to use, i only broke one pc so far.
you can buy it from the shop oposite times square, shop name = hup seng lee