Grow lights?

[FourOaks]

Like a lot of folks, I use the T8's, switching from T12's. I currently have 26 of the 4 foot 2 bulb fixtures. They are an investment no doubt, but seem to hold up better then the T12's.

Another added benefit, heat! The 8's seem to put out quite a bit more then the 12's ever did. When ever I want to start peppers, I sow the seed like normal, then put the starting trays ON TOP of the fixture. No heat pad required!

[BackyardFarm]

Originally Posted by FourOaks

Like a lot of folks, I use the T8's, switching from T12's. I currently have 26 of the 4 foot 2 bulb fixtures. They are an investment no doubt, but seem to hold up better then the T12's.

Another added benefit, heat! The 8's seem to put out quite a bit more then the 12's ever did. When ever I want to start peppers, I sow the seed like normal, then put the starting trays ON TOP of the fixture. No heat pad required!

OMG I'm doing this. It took my eggplants three weeks to germinate UNDER the lights. I'm moving my peppers up! Thank you!

[FourOaks]

Originally Posted by BackyardFarm

OMG I'm doing this. It took my eggplants three weeks to germinate UNDER the lights. I'm moving my peppers up! Thank you!

No problem! If you use the standard 4 foot fixtures, and use the standard 1020 style starting tray, you can put 3 trays on top of the ballasts.
My lights are on metal shelves, each shelf has 3 ballasts. Started with 5 per shelf, but it was just over kill.

[whoose]

Spend the money $85 for the 4 bulb at Home D. and about $10 for a T5 HO lamp. Use 6400K. Do not cheap out you can tell the difference.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by whoose

Spend the money $85 for the 4 bulb at Home D. and about $10 for a T5 HO lamp. Use 6400K. Do not cheap out you can tell the difference.

Going this route and if you can swing the bucks I agree.

Worth

[imp]

Originally Posted by Gardeneer

This is my 3rd season using T8 x 48" on double tube fixture. I have 3 of them. Right now I am using just one unit for about 30 small seedlings.
When I pot up, the I'll put the second into operation.
I paid about $13 for each fixture and about 7 buck for two bulbs with 6500 K (~ 22 bucks per complete unit) . I am using daylight and daylight deluxe. Each tube consumes 34 watts. All I had to do was put the tubes/bulbs in ... PLUG IT IN !!

Gardeneer

Wow, seems like a good buy. Where did you find them, if you don't mind me asking?

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by imp

Wow, seems like a good buy. Where did you find them, if you don't mind me asking?

I bought them at HD.
The brand name is "Commercial Electric".Model CES 401-06
They are very slim and compact(48"L, 4.25" W , 2.5"H) w/ white nice finish, fits T8 bulbs. All wired , ready to plug in.
You might not see them on display. Look in the shelves or ask a worker.
I use Philips Brand bulbs.

Gardeneer

[whoose]

Be sure to get the High Output (HO) T5 fixture and bulbs.

[Ricky Shaw]

whoose's point is important, because bulbs may not be switchable.

T5 HO: 4ft/54w and 2ft/28w, and the standards' are 4ft/28w and 2ft/14w

[NuttyPistons]

Originally Posted by beachykeen

This is my first year growing under lights (I used to buy all my tomato plants). Like many others here, I am using the T-8 48" lights. I have double units on 3 shelves (total of 12 bulbs) on a 5 shelf unit. I enclosed the sides of my shelving with cheap mylar emergency blankets, and use foil roasting pans to contain my plant cups. I also keep an oscillating fan going in the room. Plants are gorgeous, and I am going to start hardening off this week.

Mary

Your setup sounds similar to mine, although I don't have multiple shelves going. I also use 48" T8 bulbs. My shop-lights were about $12 a piece at home depot, so I second the idea of going with T8's as a cheap and very effective setup. Last year was my first with the current setup and my seedlings could not have been happier. I ended up covering the sides and back with mylar, and also attaching it to the shop-lights behind the bulbs to give it a more reflective surface. Who knows if the mylar helps much, but it is dirt cheap so why not?

[Father'sDaughter]

Originally Posted by beachykeen

This is my first year growing under lights (I used to buy all my tomato plants). Like many others here, I am using the T-8 48" lights. I have double units on 3 shelves (total of 12 bulbs) on a 5 shelf unit. I enclosed the sides of my shelving with cheap mylar emergency blankets, and use foil roasting pans to contain my plant cups. I also keep an oscillating fan going in the room. Plants are gorgeous, and I am going to start hardening off this week.

Mary

This is my set up exactly. Other two shelves hold my canning jars, etc. I have the three lighted shelves set at different heights so that I can move the seedling trays around as they grow and still keep the lights close enough. To light three shelves with more expensive fixtures and bulbs at this point makes no sense to me as the current set up has worked so successfully for several years now.

[luigiwu]

been super happy with my cheap but effective setup. Per shelf, 4 t8s using daylight deluxe bulbs and the cheapest shoplights. Everything from HD.
The clear sterilite bin makes for easy bottom watering which is ideal for seedlings. The red SOLO cups are cheap (drill hole at bottom.)
The shelf is up against a white wall and I have a pull down white block out shade in from to trap more light from escaping.

[NuttyPistons]

Very nice looking setup luigwu!

[Toothless_Kitty]

Got a great deal on a used grow light setup. 3 four foot adjustable shelves and lamps. Such a deal. Here's the rub. I'm trying to determine if the bulbs we bought will work. From what I've seen, they are to low on the kelvin range. Not sure. So much mixed info on the web.

We are starting tomato and other vegetable seedlings getting them ready for May planting out.

The bulbs we bought are T12. 40 watts. 2550 Lumens. 3500 Kelvin. Will these work, or are they to cool? Most suggest 6500 Kevin bulbs.

[arcanedeity]

You have to look at kelvins like sunlight. For instance, your 3500 kelvin would be like only growing during the sunrise or sunset. The 6500 is like growing when the sun is at its peak. You will get growth, although it will be much slower.