Lights for starting from seed.

[Tapout]

My grow table is 4'x2' and I use 5 T8 double bulb fixtures over my table. I was thinking of over driving my system but decided it wasn't worth the hassle.

[ARgardener]

Aright, so I've got a box of T8 4100K lights... is it worth buying a new box of 6500K lights (now $30) for my tomato/ pepper/ eggplant starting?
Or should I just save my money and use the 4100K?

[dmforcier]

Nah, they'll do fine with 4100K. Spectrum is plenty wide enough.

[ARgardener]

Originally Posted by dmforcier

Nah, they'll do fine with 4100K. Spectrum is plenty wide enough.

Thanks... I don't want to over complicate things. If the difference will be marginal, I'd rather keep my $30!

Anyone else have an opinion?

[BigVanVader]

I use 15$ dollar fluorescent lights from Lowes and they work great. I really don't know why people get so into the high dollar lights. If your not fruiting the plants indoor or growing weed really no reason to buy expensive lights.

[Ricky Shaw]

Yeah, T12 T8 T5 CFL's, they're all fine, and 4100k is fine. It just doesn't take all that much light to bring seedlings to that 6" to 10" outdoor transplant stage. I think early growth is more controlled by hours of light and temperature than intensity of light. Maximum growth conditions in my mind are, 18hrs of light, ferts started at first true leaves, and ~75F days/ ~65-70F nights

[ARgardener]

Originally Posted by Ricky Shaw

Yeah, T12 T8 T5 CFL's, they're all fine, and 4100k is fine. It just doesn't take all that much light to bring seedlings to that 6" to 10" outdoor transplant stage. I think early growth is more controlled by hours of light and temperature than intensity of light. Maximum growth conditions in my mind are, 18hrs of light, ferts started at first true leaves, and ~75F days/ ~65-70F nights

Thanks! My temps will likely hover around 67 most of time... not much control over the space to raise it and drop it in a daily cycle.


Appreciate y'all's input. I'm getting my 30 bucks back!