Interesting facts about T-8 fluorscent bulbs

[AeroKnipp]

I just received my SunLite Light Garden made by Gardener's Supply Company - http://www.gardeners.com/ (purchased from a Canadian dealer).

Here is what they say about the bulbs:

• They are 20% more efficient than conventional grow lights.
• They last up to 4000 hours longer and perform better over time.
• Even after burning for 10,000 hours, they retain 95% of their original output (that is 625 days at 16 hours per day)
• They contain less mercury.
• SunLite T-8 bulbs use quiet electronic ballasts with no annoying buzz.
• T-8 32-watt fluorescent light tubes can provide up to 24,000 hours of use (that's 1500 days at 16 hours per day, or over 4 years).

Wow - eh (couldn't resist the "eh"). 
Now ... what am I going to plant ... baby carrots, nasturtiums, impatiens and a DIY unit??

[shane arthur]

I just spent a few bucks arming myself with compact florescent bulbs but  Keep us posted if you buy these t8's.
They seem to be a good bulb, although i like to see kelvin ratings on bulbs i want to use as growing bulbs.

[AeroKnipp]

Keep us posted if you buy these t8's.

They are part of my light garden.

 

[shane arthur]

Doh! So how do you like them? do they produce much heat?

[Melissa in Michigan]

A little off topic...  but, just in case you may not be aware of this, regular incandescent light bulbs will be banned in America starting in 2014.

[AeroKnipp]

Doh! So how do you like them? do they produce much heat?

I'll let you know. Right now I'm spinning my wheels about what to plant on the light shelf. I think I may put together a DIY system and run that with some rotating pots of mini carrots ...

The top shelf is already full - but it doesn't have a light.

[AeroKnipp]

do they produce much heat?

I just turned on my light garden and let run for 30 minutes. Leaving the lights on, I could firmly grasp and hold on to a T-8 tube. It was warm, but didn't burn. You could never do that with an AeroGarden bulb.