Reddit reviews ALZO 27W Full Spectrum CFL Light Bulb 5500K, 1300 Lumens, 120V, Pack of 4, Daylight White Light

I mostly lurk here, so the only advice I’d feel comfortable giving is basically “use open space and mirrors.” What I can talk a little bit about, though, are light bulbs.

You should know about color rendering index and how it relates to light bulbs: the sun has a CRI of 100; the higher the CRI rating of a light bulb, the more natural it looks. Also, color temperature: the color temperature of daylight (white light) is about 5500k–6000k; a color temperature lower than that would be yellower, and a color temperature higher would be bluer.


Here is a good example of natural-looking light bulbs: 5500k color temperature and CRI of 91 for a reasonable price. Keep in mind, though, that you shouldn’t just mindlessly use exclusively daylight light bulbs. Yellow light is comforting/relaxing and definitely has its place.

Here’s some more reading.

Daylight bulbs. Everywhere. I found them on amazon (I can link you if you want) and they are in my overhead fixture, and in the lamps I use for closeups.

Now, granted I am nowhere near perfect, but I think they have improved my swatches.

Here is the link

Hello. Doing both of those things is what led me here. :) My doctor recommended one.. and it was reading the reviews where someone mentioned that "I bought such and such product and when reading the manual (or something) it stated that it wasn't actually qualified as a SAD therapy device." So my thought was.. well, shit.. how do I verify that shit before spending the absurd amount of money this stuff costs?

..but yes, at the moment I'm just looking at getting those light bulbs

I recommend two or more CFLs of 23 watts or greater. Check out these bulbs (also comes in 45 watts, also just look around at department stores) *be sure to check the specs

http://www.amazon.com/Full-Spectrum-Light-Bulb-Fluorescent/dp/B0018OS06S/ref=pd_cp_hi_1

This will be more than enough for your herbs, keep in mind that the Aerogarden (if your familiar) uses only 26 watts, so if you have two 27 watt bulbs (5500k) you will have great growth, no need for any other type of lighting budget wise (LED, MH, HPS, t5)

As for fixture you should watch this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs_QRorECvo

For the hydroponics, the aquarium pump specs are gonna work fine for your Rubbermaid. I like using Deep Water Culture technique, I recommend getting a pump with two air outputs and attach two 6" or 12" air stones to circulate and bubble nutrient water to the roots. It is simple and effective, not taking anything away from your plan.

http://www.petco.com/product/109838/PETCO-Air-Pump.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

As for nutrient water, pumping it straight from your sump will be fine and will probably improve your lawn, if you had a valve on the container I highly doubt two inches of old water will poison your plants but you should just to a fresh water change if you can, maybe keep a spare Rubbermaid on hand to store the plants during the water change. That way you can just take off the top and pour the water out (your sump pump sounds perfect though).

I hope this addressed some of your concerns, I am not too versed in the fill and drain method, but the Deep Water Culture method is very cost effective, feel free to ask any more questions and good luck.

These are full-spectrum compact fluorescent bulbs...

Amazon Link

That's true. I found that they have light bulbs that do this. I'm going to have to get me some.

I bought both of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018OS06S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089MIH8I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hopefully they work out ok :)

Try a full-spectrum bulb in your bedroom. I use Alzo Digital. You can get them on Amazon. Not the most pleasant to look at, but it's worth it.

Something like this

Be sure it's not behind a thick lampshade. Frosted glass is ok though.

I'm using these full spectrum CFL bulbs, they put off a little heat but not much

These are the ones I have. They come in a pack of four and they are $30 USD on Amazon right now. That's the cheapest per light I have found. My light-starved plants love it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018OS06S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GXMRCbQJW3D27

Sorry I don't know how to do fancy links.

>There's a guide to light in my post history.

Wow, you post a lot. That was not an easy find, but on the plus side I know now more about lip care. I assume you mean this post.

My original plan was to mount two strips of lights, or build something if I couldn't find one, along the sides of the center mirror like this, but the original post on Amazon by the person who did this didn't really give any specifications other than "Ikea $20."

These 27 watt and these 45 watt, both ALZO Full Spectrum Compact Fluorescent CFLs, 5500K Daylight with a CRI of 91 (I think), look perfect using the information from your previous post (again, I think). Except for their clunky gigantic size and potentially blinding light.

I can build a smaller version of this light bar, to fit along the sides, but I just think it would look tacky with the cheery wood and huge bulbs, plus be way too bright. Am I wrong in this? Also, you had mentioned a lot of other different suitable types in your original post. Do you know if there something that meets the criteria that comes in a strip form for the side of a mirror? I don't even know how to look for something like that and I fail to believe I'm the first one to try to do this correctly and not have it look gaudy.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to post. It really means a great deal to me.

Edit: For what it's worth, she does already have the 8" Simple Human 5x mirror for close-up stuff. I'm not sure if that matters, but since I had already written you a book with a bunch of links... :)

LED

Fluorescent

While I'm not exactly sure what you're doing may I offer a suggestion?

Order 2 of this item:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019HVHMS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Now you're at 8 for the ring light. Each bulb pulls 85 watts so you'll be at 680 watts total.


Or you can do 12 by buying 3 sets of:
http://www.amazon.com/ALZO-Joyous-Spectrum-Lumens-Daylight/dp/B0018OS06S/ref=pd_sim_60_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=4160Z66ARRL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0GG9VY14PXNRT9CZ93CW

total wattage pulled: 325.


I'd really look into using CFLs for the photo ring. Keeps the wattage and heat down. unless you need the heat as part of that wet plate stuff.

For smalls all you need to do is an infinity table - white thin matte particle board at Home Depot, one side screwed to the wall, other screwed to a table next to the wall. Do some lights like these and you're good. This setup is eh/eh, I wouldn't go with a backdrop like that personally, I'd just use a white wall. Make sure you use color balanced lights, makes it so you almost need no editing at all - something like this: http://www.amazon.com/ALZO-Joyous-Spectrum-Lumens-Daylight/dp/B0018OS06S/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1457564633&sr=8-3&keywords=color+balanced+led+light

Thats what I used and my pictures came out great!

It is not the best situation, but if you get them a sun-lamp (sold as "SAD lights" on amazon) or "full spectrum light bulbs", that will help a LOT. If you get the sun lamp, be sure to protect the cord so they can't chew it. Also, you can get multi-vitamins from oxbow and those will help too.

You can also get a portable play pen to set up outside for a few hours every day so they can have sunlight. Make sure to get one with a top AND bottom so that they don't escape or get attacked by animals.

also these are good

I started replacing the bulbs in my house with "daylight" bulbs and I'm a huge fan of them. They really make a room feel like it's filled with sunlight and not artificial light. These are the ones I got.

http://smile.amazon.com/Spectrum-Light-ALZO-Compact-Fluorescent/dp/B0018OS06S/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1411157330&sr=8-4&keywords=daylight+bulb