Indoor Lighting/ Igrow

[AdamStage]

My brother uses Igrow lighting technologies for his indoor garden. They are amazing full spectrum lights and last forever. I am very interested in the possibilities of using them in my indoor tortoise room for the winter but don't know how they compare to your other reptile lighting systems. Would they be to strong ect. Does anyone have any experience with these lights or have any insight into this, I would really appreciate it. I am really working on developing a better understanding of how different lights and rays do different things. Thanks

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm definitely NOT a lighting expert, however, I think I remember reading somewhere here on the Forum that the grow lights have the incorrect spectrum for raising animals. You want UVB, and I'm not sure, but I think I remember that grow lights have UVA.

 

[tortoisetime565]

I bought a cool bulb for a Uvb from petsmart it was a tropical one and it says it "promotes plant growth" I have it over a tub of grass and it's growing like crazy! It was like $10. Much cheaper than a fancy full spectrum bulb I think!

 

[AdamStage]

Yes it would be much cheaper but I guess I should have explained a bit more. I want to turn this room into a tortoise oasis. I want to grow a variety of edible plants inside for them and that's why I was looking into the Igrow lights. Trying to get the best of both worlds if possible.

 

[AdamStage]

Igrow is using Induction light technology. They have a vegetative bulb that is supposed to have a full light spectrum to emulate the sun. I am just trying to research and figure out if this is safe for my animals as well.

 

[mikeh]

Igrow induction lights are one of the more efficient grow lights, but the cost is astronomical and the light does not produce UVB specific spectrum needed for tortoises for vitD3 conversion. For our purposes you can achieve similar results with T5HO and T5VHO grow lights at a same efficiency at a fraction of a $$ cost and with high quality UVB.

A 4' 8 tube T5HO fixture will cover similar square footage area as 400 watt Igrow induction light at the same wattage. The lume output is somewhat down but is plenty for established plants. T5VHO lights matches induction light in lume output if that is desired.

Let's take a 10x10 room to be converted into planted tortoise pen. Two or three 4' 8tube T5HO fixtures will give the whole room all the light it needs to grow any plants. Shade loving plants on the edges of room, direct sun loving plants directly under the lights.

Another great thing is endless versatility. The more UVB tubes are used in the fixture the higher it can be placed. If you use FOUR Arcadia D3+ 12% tubes and alternate them with four grow tubes in a 8tube fixture the fixture will be placed 3-4' high of the ground for ideal UVB levels covering large square footage with UVB creating sun patch. With 8 UVB tubes it will need to go 7-8' high of the ground as the UVB output multiplies, but lume output falls with increased height. UV meter is a must in this application as multi UVB tube combination creates an extremely high UVB output.

Mixing different color temperature tubes also allows to mimic any kind of temperature light. UVB tubes notoriously produce very cool color temperature, around 6500-7000K. Mixing it with softer color temp tubes such as bloom tubes 3500k allows to achieve very natural sun light colors. There are also 5600K tubes that are very close to midday sunlight color temperature.

Here is a 4x4 shipping crate converted to winter pen for EBT that I decided not to hibernate. The crate is in a dark, cold 60F basement. Lighted with 4' T5HO quad fixture with 12% UVB tube and different color temps grow tubes at 24" height. The plants are growing very well under the fixture, may be too much light for some. There are also plantain seedlings in a tray on the right that have been harvested few times. The fixture produces some heat, not enough for basking temp at this height, but is able to warm ambient temp and water in a large 2" deep dish directly under to 75F in couple hours. The boxie still senses some heat and uses the light to warm up.

FYI, while arid species will much appreciate the amount of light and I believe it benefits their psychological well being, some forest species tend to avoid bright lights and good light diffusion and shade created with dense plants is desired.

 

[AdamStage]

Mikeh thank you very much for the thorough information. I knew I could count on this forum for great insight. I know the Igrow costs are ridiculous but I can get it for free that's why I was considering it. I really appreciate all the detail. I will use your info when I build my large indoor room. My Leo is a baby still. Do you have a company or manufacturer that you use or suggest when I look to purchase these lights? My room is actually 16x8 it is built I just haven't started the inside because I don't need the space yet.

 

[mikeh]

Re: RE: Indoor Lighting/ Igrow

Mikeh thank you very much for the thorough information. I knew I could count on this forum for great insight. I know the Igrow costs are ridiculous but I can get it for free that's why I was considering it. I really appreciate all the detail. I will use your info when I build my large indoor room. My Leo is a baby still. Do you have a company or manufacturer that you use or suggest when I look to purchase these lights? My room is actually 16x8 it is built I just haven't started the inside because I don't need the space yet.

Free? Then by all means, and sign me up for one too. If the manufacturer is interested, I'd make a nice detailed review report on the Igrow lighting and its vast uses for indoor reptile (tortoises) housing and its benefits for psychological well being for arid species.

Along with Igrow, you would supplement with some type of UVB. Given that Igrow provides all the light we need to simulate day time light and support healthy vegetation growth, you may opt to use a better brand of MVB for UVB, such higher wattage MegaRay instead of using T5HO, in this case. Given the large space more then one will be desired as you expand the space over time. This combination of Igrow lights and MVBs would support the oasis, vegetation growth, UVB and basking/heating zones for the tortoise.

With T5HO fixtures, specific fixtures for horticulture are superior in light/UVB output to aquatic or reptile fixtures available in the US market. Brands such as Hydrofarm or New Wave SunSystems are among some. Few things to look for in a fixture are polished "true" specular aluminum reflectors that are curved for EACH individual tube, metal or aluminum fixture housing and a good warranty on ballasts.

UVB tubes, Arcadia brand and Zoomed are the only tubes I purchase.
Full spectrum grow tubes are less important in our application and unless one is looking to grow marijuana any reputable horticulture brand will do.

 

[AdamStage]

Mikeh, I don't have a direct connection with the manufacturer, but I am sure they would listen to the possibilities of expanding their lights sales demographic. Someone with your knowledge should approach them with the idea. You can email them direct from their website and they respond quickly. I have access to the free option through a friend. I really appreciate all the info. Would it be possible for me to consult with you further when I am at the point of lighting the room? It will be a while still.

 

[TortsNTurtles]

If you do please do it in the list I am really enjoying this thread

 

[mikeh]

Sure can. Sounds like an interesting project. Its a good idea to get the lights ahead of time to start experimenting with vegetation growth...fun fun.

 

[AdamStage]

Mikeh Awesome I will stay in touch. Please let me know if you contact Igrow and what comes from it. The great thing about their lights is that they have a 5 yr warranty for their bulbs. Like I said my brother uses them for his garden and they do not kick off a lot of heat so you don't need an exhaust system or anything to keep from over heating.