I have mostly succulents, just FYI. :)

Do you have a photo of your grow area, current lights, and a list of succulent species you are growing?

That would be helpful to know.

Led is not more efficient.

you can get led bulbs tuned to the spectrums. But you can also get florescent tuned to the spectrums. KorallenZucht FIJI PURPLE Is one example. Same peaks, with bulbs you can change without buying a new fixture.

"KorallenZucht FIJI PURPLE"

1. That is not very unusual. Similar fluorescent bulbs, e.g., Sylvania Gro-Lux, have been available since the late 1950s.

2. At $20,

"KorallenZucht FIJI PURPLE"

bulbs are a rip-off because they cost no more to manufacture than regular $3 triphosphor bulbs because they are essentially triphosphor bulbs with the green phosphor missing. Suckers are essentially paying $17 for the manufacturer to remove something from a $3 bulb.

3. For $10, there are better bulbs:

http://htgsupply.com/Product-AgroMax-4ft-T5-Pure-Bloom-Bulbs

http://htgsupply.com/Product-AgroMax-4ft-T5-Pure-Par-Bulbs

less a rip-off but still a rip-off.

It's not a rip off if you know that the peaks are exactly where a plant wants them. Each bulb peaks in blue and red perfectly.

also my post was to show that the comment that led are better because you can only "tune" them exactly where you want them is not true.

I prefer philips bulbs personally but do want to try the Fiji purple because I care less about cost than performance. To a point. I would never waste any more money on led fixtures that are more or less throw aways.

Where do you get t5ho 54w for $3? Or is that a made up number?

"Where do you get t5ho 54w for $3? Or is that a made up number?"

See

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2997407/are-20-lamps-really-needed-another-blue-red-question-too?n=3

Note, "case (25) of the below bulbs, for around $80" = $3.20

I assume better prices can be found.

"It's not a rip off if you know that the peaks are exactly where a plant wants them. Each bulb peaks in blue and red perfectly."

Wrong, KorallenZucht FIJI PURPLE peaks at 450nm and 611 nm (ignoring the mercury spectral lines), same as common triphosphor bulbs, whereas photosynthesis peaks near 435nm and 660 nm. See

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--qYE1QGT-k4/U0MDI51zbsI/AAAAAAAAKWs/7UljzrljunE/s680/pigment%2520int%2520fiji%2520purple%2520purple%2520plus.jpg

You will have to enlarge the image to read the abscissa.

The $10 bulbs that I showed you peak near 650 nm. You should be thanking me for saving you $10/bulb.

"my post was to show that the comment that led are better because you can only "tune" them exactly where you want them is not true."

The only person to say "tune" is you.

You can't just arbitrarily ignore spectral peaks. They are there. Fiji peaks at 440 and 660 almost matching chlorophyll a perfectly and closely matching chlorophyll b. If you want $3 bulbs that peak in the useless green then go ahead.

you don't have to use a word like tune to imply it.

"Using "full spectrum" fluorescent tubes will certainly work substantially better than regular fluorescent for growing plants, but it is still much much less efficient than LED grow lighting. With 660nm red LED lamps, you would only need 4-9 Watts energy per plant. (less if the plants are all bunched together)"

Feel free to pretend this spectrum isn't close to perfect. $20 per bulb x8 for ultra cola bulbs is still much cheaper than a 400w actual power used led. And when a bulb goes you don't have to replace the whole fixture.

Plants appear green because chlorophyll reflects green and doesnt absorb it. The lesser pigments might use green but not by much.

the led fans promote the same, peaks in blue and red. I'm just against fixtures that cost a lot and must be tossed and replaced when they age.

" Fiji peaks at 440 and 660 almost matching chlorophyll a perfectly and closely matching chlorophyll b. If you want $3 bulbs that peak in the useless green then go ahead.

That is NOT the power spectra density chart (PSD) for FIJI PURPLE. It looks exactly like the PSD for Sylvania Gro-Lux which is not available in T5.

Proof:

https://www.google.com/search?q=gro-lux&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwia_bi6kafKAhVB8mMKHQSWAG4Q_AUICSgD&biw=1150&bih=579

in particular,

http://www.aquascape-boutique.fr/WebRoot/ce_fr3/Shops/233807/48F3/5F5F/C283/51FA/862D/3EC1/CD19/A143/ECTH-029_0020__00E0__0020_034.jpg

I already gave you the PSD for FIJI PURPLE,

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--qYE1QGT-k4/U0MDI51zbsI/AAAAAAAAKWs/7UljzrljunE/s680/pigment%2520int%2520fiji%2520purple%2520purple%2520plus.jpg ,

and the fact that you failed to address it and instead produced a big fat graphical lie indicates that you are immoral.

The idea that fluorescent bulbs can be made to peak in the red and blue regions is old and never in dispute. The bottom line is that you can buy LEDs that are much more efficient than any fluorescent bulb. For example,

http://shop.stevesleds.com/SemiLeds-Deep-Red-3W-Newest-Version-8794102499.htm

Forward Voltage is 2.2 @ 700ma implies power consumption of 2.2*0.7 = 1.54 watts

Radiometric Output - 530mw @ 700ma implies that these LEDs have an electrical efficiency of 100%*0.53/1.54 = 34% . Doing the same analysis on

http://shop.stevesleds.com/Philips-Luxeon-ES-ROYAL-BLUE-3-Watt-LEDs-8794102476.htm

shows an electrical efficiency of 63%. That's more than triple the electrical efficiency of any fluorescent bulb.

Using higher efficiency and larger power supplies would be a significant advantage for LED.

Fluorescent ballasts have improved greatly over the years, by in my opinion are not quite as good or as easy to obtain.

Also, plants not using green light for photosynthesis is a misconception. The utilization of green light in plants is actually quite high and an evolved advantage due to specialized cell structure and organization.

Many people (not saying it is necessarily any of you) believe photosynthesis is done on just leaf surfaces, but to a large extent it is occurring inside the leaves as well.

I pulled that chart off of a coral reef website. If someone Posted it and lied its not my fault. Either way the other chart I posted is correct

http://www.nzmas.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6672&view=previous

you posted a generic image link. How about a specific one that doesn't include hundreds of pictures of relevant and non relevant items?

Why don't you address the fact that like all bulbs led's lose effiency with use and all led fixtures must be tossed and replaced when the bulbs wear. Vs t5ho where you can just change the bulbs.

63% effiency? Bull. Post an article not by the people trying to sell it.