Another seed starting setup question

tam91 · February 15, 2011

I got a 4 foot x 18" wire rack setup at Sams Club (6' high I believe).

Home Depot had t12 shoplights for less than $10 each, so I got some of those.

I presume I should have 2 lights (4 bulbs) per shelf?

Big question - they also had these bulbs for the best price, so I got a big pack - will these work well?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Philips Daylight Deluxe F40T12 2325 lumens

I saw some plant research study used this kind.

fortyonenorth · February 15, 2011

Those are 6500k bulbs which are considered "full spectrum" - IMO they should work well for your purposes.

FILMNET · February 15, 2011

Over kill bulbs, you do not need these take them back, I have herd for leaves to grow they need cold light bulbs, so guy use both warm, to slow down growth and cold bulbs in 1 light. Someone must have told you need full spectrum lights, which are the best. But the mixed ones are OK.

tam91 · February 15, 2011

I didn't get full spectrum on purpose (didn't know enough anyway haha). Must be a sale - because these were the best deal there, in a 10 pack.

So ok, I'll just keep them then - thanks all.

ContainerTed · February 15, 2011

If that's a box of 10 bulbs, then the price is right and that's exactly what goes into mine. Only difference is that I use two fixtures (4 bulbs) per shelf.

Put them on a timer to simulate the experience the plants will get outside, and you're good to go.

One of the closest things to sunlight you can get.

Don't listen to the "nay" sayers above, you've now got a great setup.

Ted

amideutch · February 16, 2011

Seed starting, 6500k, $2.50 a tube. Don't get much better than that. I'll second Ted's comment. Ami

tam91 · February 16, 2011

Terrific, I think I'll pick up another box, and I'll be good to go. I was planning on 4 bulbs per shelf.

Oh, and I can get the Metro-Mix 360 I think, so that's what I was planning on using.

Almost time...

sfmathews · February 16, 2011

Just like my set up with the shelving and the fixtures and lights. I use two fixtures per shelf. My maters are 4-6" high now and these were all I used. Your set up should work great!
Susan

February 16, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by tam91

I got a 4 foot x 18" wire rack setup at Sams Club (6' high I believe).

Home Depot had t12 shoplights for less than $10 each, so I got some of those.

I presume I should have 2 lights (4 bulbs) per shelf?

Big question - they also had these bulbs for the best price, so I got a big pack - will these work well?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Philips Daylight Deluxe F40T12 2325 lumens

I saw some plant research study used this kind.

-- I did the same thing at Lowe's. Then I saw the "warm" and "cool" bulbs at Wally World, and I said to myself "This set-up is fine for now. If I want to be "professional" I'll spend big bucks for some HPS lamps someday." If I remember right, they used to be around $400 dollars back in the day. $60 bucks for lamps and bulbs is good enough for today. And some get them even cheaper.

erlyberd · February 17, 2011

Looks like you lucked out there. The 6500k's are ideally what you want for seedling stage vegetative growth. That said a combo of 2700k and 4100k will work as well. Good job!

February 15, 2011	#1
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	Another seed starting setup question I got a 4 foot x 18" wire rack setup at Sams Club (6' high I believe). Home Depot had t12 shoplights for less than $10 each, so I got some of those. I presume I should have 2 lights (4 bulbs) per shelf? Big question - they also had these bulbs for the best price, so I got a big pack - will these work well? http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053 Philips Daylight Deluxe F40T12 2325 lumens I saw some plant research study used this kind.

February 15, 2011	#5
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	If that's a box of 10 bulbs, then the price is right and that's exactly what goes into mine. Only difference is that I use two fixtures (4 bulbs) per shelf. Put them on a timer to simulate the experience the plants will get outside, and you're good to go. One of the closest things to sunlight you can get. Don't listen to the "nay" sayers above, you've now got a great setup. Ted __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

February 16, 2011	#6
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Seed starting, 6500k, $2.50 a tube. Don't get much better than that. I'll second Ted's comment. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

February 15, 2011	#2
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	Those are 6500k bulbs which are considered "full spectrum" - IMO they should work well for your purposes.

February 15, 2011	#3
FILMNET Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Charleston,South Carolina, USA Posts: 1,803	Over kill bulbs, you do not need these take them back, I have herd for leaves to grow they need cold light bulbs, so guy use both warm, to slow down growth and cold bulbs in 1 light. Someone must have told you need full spectrum lights, which are the best. But the mixed ones are OK.

February 16, 2011	#8
sfmathews Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 398	Just like my set up with the shelving and the fixtures and lights. I use two fixtures per shelf. My maters are 4-6" high now and these were all I used. Your set up should work great! Susan

February 17, 2011	#10
erlyberd Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CT Zone 5 Posts: 186	Looks like you lucked out there. The 6500k's are ideally what you want for seedling stage vegetative growth. That said a combo of 2700k and 4100k will work as well. Good job!