Hello everyone,

I have been saying for some time now that I need to buy some high output lights for my tropicals for next winter. I really lucked out this year. Nothing really suffered from being grown under the shop lights that I am currently using. I have even flowered orchids, and have seen good growth on my lancetilla and cogshell. julie did loose most of its lower leaves but now I am seeing new bud growth at almost every leaf scar. I should have a lot of heavy growth this spring!

I want to buy lights that are going to put out good light(I found a 1,000 watt HID for just under $300.00) but also some heat. I didn't think it would be that hard but it seems that most light descriptions state that the light wont put out very much heat. Do the LED lights put out any heat? I plan on using an electric heater and humidifier along with it. I am also going to buy a nice thermometer to keep track of the temperatures in the basement. I know it doesn't get to freezing. In the winter I keep my orchid cacti, a hoya, and my glad, and dahlia bulbs. I plan on buying two each of the HID and the LED so I can have the trees run the length of the wall. I just thought that I could cutdown on some of the expenses if I didn't have to run the heater as much. Any suggestions woud be very helpfull. Keep in mind that this will be for next year.

Thank you,

Andrew