New lights for seedlings.

Worth1 · December 1, 2015

I have a very short time to get my seed starting operation going again.
I dont have any lights and would like to know your thoughts on them.
Before I used two sets of two each shop lights suspended from a frame.

What is the new stuff like?
Like the high wattage screw in lights they have now?
I haven't even ordered seeds yet.

Worth

AlittleSalt · December 2, 2015

I keep reading about t8. I have 5 of the older type fluorescent lights that cost around $15 each. That's not what you asked, but they work for how I've used them.

Worth1 · December 2, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I keep reading about t8. I have 5 of the older type fluorescent lights that cost around $15 each. That's not what you asked, but they work for how I've used them.

I have the old T 12 lights but I bet my fixtures are trashed and I want something more compact even LED lighting can be an option.
After starting this thread I ordered my seeds.

Worth

Father'sDaughter · December 2, 2015

I went with T8 shop lights with the daylight bulbs. All I use them for is my seedling until I get them outside, so no need to invest money or electricity in the fancy grow lights.

Ricky Shaw · December 2, 2015

I have a couple of 4ft T8's with 6500k bulbs now, needed to double that, and am going with a high output 3 bulb 4ft T-5. The 15000 lumen is 40% more than two, 2 bulb T-8's.

$73.00 includes bulbs and shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/T5-Grow-Ligh...YAAOSwVFlUFrjS

BigVanVader · December 2, 2015

I use these http://www.lowes.com/pd_420866-43921...hop+lights#img with T8 bulbs. They have always done great. I think if you go LEDs you could grow stuff year round but I just need to get my seedlings ready for the GH.

clkeiper · December 2, 2015

I stopped at Lowe's and bought two 4' fixtures LED for the basement. I think I spent about 40.00 on each of them but if your lightbulbs are like mine every time I turn around I need to buy new ones as they have about a 3 month life span.. CFL's and incandescent. I was going to move them and use them for my winter keep over plants in my basement since I dont' keep the greenhouse warm enough to winter over the ones I want to keep such as aloes and hibiscus and potho's and ... elephant ears. I figure I f I was spending that much money on them they need to be double duty.

heirloomtomaguy · December 2, 2015

This last year i went from my hydrofarm flouro wings to hydrofarms designer series T5 setup. I am way impressed with how clean and powerful the new setup is. It fits my grow rack width perfect and is the perfect depth for a 20in×12in seedling tray. If you want you can turn on only half the bulbs with one switch or all of them with another switch. They also daisy chain together if you need another fixture. I buy from my local hydro store and i think i paid 120 bucks not the suggested 250. https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/FLP46

kurt · December 2, 2015

Some good deals and related info.The T5/two bulbs are what I put in my shed for starting and cloning,around 50 bucs.

https://www.htgsupply.com/Category-F...nt-Grow-Lights

Salsacharley · December 2, 2015

Two years ago I got 19 T-5 Sunblasters with Nanotech reflectors that I use 3 to 4 per 2' x 4' shelf. I thought I was a genius. There is no doubt they work great, but for the purpose of growing seedlings to transplant you could probably achieve about the same results with T-8's. After looking at Craig L's method I felt pretty dumb for spending a grand when I could have done about the same for a couple hundred bucks. T-5's do last for 5,000 hours and they can be used for complete indoor growing so they do have that going for them.

ContainerTed · December 2, 2015

Worth, I use the 4 foot (two bulbs) T-12 fixtures that run about 12-15 bucks each and I load them with Daylight bulbs (6500 K). A box of 12 bulbs costs about $35. Both the fixtures and the bulbs can be had at Lowes.

I'm currently on year 6 for the first bulbs I bought. My seedling setup uses 2 fixtures on each of 4 levels.

BackyardFarm · December 2, 2015

I used a couple T12 shoplight fixtures and daylight bulbs last year. It worked great and was cheap to purchase and to run. I used a $5 timer that is pretty cheaply made too but it worked fine and didn't break. I will add two to four more fixtures this year.

The guys in the store kept trying to get me to buy led or grow light kits and those were both well over a hundred each. (The one kit was over $300! Just for one light!) I couldn't afford that. And I'd read so many stories online of people just using shoplights I wasn't willing to spend $300 to make a salesman happy.

In my humble opinion you really don't need anything more fancy than cheap shoplights and daylight bulbs.

jillian · December 2, 2015

I have this one http://www.amazon.com/8lamps-DL8208-...olux+t5+grow+l, and I LOVE it. It also comes in a 4 ft. fixture, the 2 ft. more than serves my purposes. Amazing light at a great price!

Jillian

Worth1 · December 2, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

Worth, I use the 4 foot (two bulbs) T-12 fixtures that run about 12-15 bucks each and I load them with Daylight bulbs (6500 K). A box of 12 bulbs costs about $35. Both the fixtures and the bulbs can be had at Lowes.

I'm currently on year 6 for the first bulbs I bought. My seedling setup uses 2 fixtures on each of 4 levels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackyardFarm

I used a couple T12 shoplight fixtures and daylight bulbs last year. It worked great and was cheap to purchase and to run. I used a $5 timer that is pretty cheaply made too but it worked fine and didn't break. I will add two to four more fixtures this year.

The guys in the store kept trying to get me to buy led or grow light kits and those were both well over a hundred each. (The one kit was over $300! Just for one light!) I couldn't afford that. And I'd read so many stories online of people just using shoplights I wasn't willing to spend $300 to make a salesman happy.

In my humble opinion you really don't need anything more fancy than cheap shoplights and daylight bulbs.

Guys this is all I have ever used the 6500 bright daylight.

In another life many many years ago I read a book on indoor growing and it said they were the best things to use.
Sears was remodeling so I looked in the construction dumpster and got everything I needed for free.

Even brand new carpet for the living room, they made a cutting mistake and tossed the whole thing.

Worth

SharonRossy · December 2, 2015

I went with the Sunblaster Nanotech T5 Ho lighting which I set up on a table not hanging because I grew my seedlings in an extra bedroom (one way to make sure your kids don't move back in, lol!). I loved it, got rid of all the lamps and bulbs. The only thing I did wrong was keeping the lights on too long and my seedlings grew quite rapidly before I could plant outside. But it was fantastic. You can add up to 7 lights and I added the reflectors. Neat, not hot and very efficient. The only thing with the table top set up is that it becomes difficult as the seedlings grow to keep the lights high enough. But if you get the ceiling connection, no problem. Highly recommend!

December 1, 2015	#1
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	New lights for seedlings. I have a very short time to get my seed starting operation going again. I dont have any lights and would like to know your thoughts on them. Before I used two sets of two each shop lights suspended from a frame. What is the new stuff like? Like the high wattage screw in lights they have now? I haven't even ordered seeds yet. Worth

December 2, 2015	#4
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	New lights for seedlings. I went with T8 shop lights with the daylight bulbs. All I use them for is my seedling until I get them outside, so no need to invest money or electricity in the fancy grow lights.

December 2, 2015	#7
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	I stopped at Lowe's and bought two 4' fixtures LED for the basement. I think I spent about 40.00 on each of them but if your lightbulbs are like mine every time I turn around I need to buy new ones as they have about a 3 month life span.. CFL's and incandescent. I was going to move them and use them for my winter keep over plants in my basement since I dont' keep the greenhouse warm enough to winter over the ones I want to keep such as aloes and hibiscus and potho's and ... elephant ears. I figure I f I was spending that much money on them they need to be double duty. __________________ carolyn k

December 2, 2015	#8
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	This last year i went from my hydrofarm flouro wings to hydrofarms designer series T5 setup. I am way impressed with how clean and powerful the new setup is. It fits my grow rack width perfect and is the perfect depth for a 20in×12in seedling tray. If you want you can turn on only half the bulbs with one switch or all of them with another switch. They also daisy chain together if you need another fixture. I buy from my local hydro store and i think i paid 120 bucks not the suggested 250. https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/FLP46 __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Last edited by heirloomtomaguy; December 2, 2015 at 09:48 AM.

December 2, 2015	#9
kurt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Homestead,Everglades City Fl. Posts: 2,500	Some good deals and related info.The T5/two bulbs are what I put in my shed for starting and cloning,around 50 bucs. https://www.htgsupply.com/Category-F...nt-Grow-Lights __________________ KURT

December 2, 2015	#2
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	I keep reading about t8. I have 5 of the older type fluorescent lights that cost around $15 each. That's not what you asked, but they work for how I've used them.

December 2, 2015	#5
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	I have a couple of 4ft T8's with 6500k bulbs now, needed to double that, and am going with a high output 3 bulb 4ft T-5. The 15000 lumen is 40% more than two, 2 bulb T-8's. $73.00 includes bulbs and shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/T5-Grow-Ligh...YAAOSwVFlUFrjS

December 2, 2015	#6
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	I use these http://www.lowes.com/pd_420866-43921...hop+lights#img with T8 bulbs. They have always done great. I think if you go LEDs you could grow stuff year round but I just need to get my seedlings ready for the GH.

December 2, 2015	#10
Salsacharley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,052	Two years ago I got 19 T-5 Sunblasters with Nanotech reflectors that I use 3 to 4 per 2' x 4' shelf. I thought I was a genius. There is no doubt they work great, but for the purpose of growing seedlings to transplant you could probably achieve about the same results with T-8's. After looking at Craig L's method I felt pretty dumb for spending a grand when I could have done about the same for a couple hundred bucks. T-5's do last for 5,000 hours and they can be used for complete indoor growing so they do have that going for them.

December 2, 2015	#11
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Worth, I use the 4 foot (two bulbs) T-12 fixtures that run about 12-15 bucks each and I load them with Daylight bulbs (6500 K). A box of 12 bulbs costs about $35. Both the fixtures and the bulbs can be had at Lowes. I'm currently on year 6 for the first bulbs I bought. My seedling setup uses 2 fixtures on each of 4 levels. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

December 2, 2015	#12
BackyardFarm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Wisconsin, zone 4b Posts: 360	I used a couple T12 shoplight fixtures and daylight bulbs last year. It worked great and was cheap to purchase and to run. I used a $5 timer that is pretty cheaply made too but it worked fine and didn't break. I will add two to four more fixtures this year. The guys in the store kept trying to get me to buy led or grow light kits and those were both well over a hundred each. (The one kit was over $300! Just for one light!) I couldn't afford that. And I'd read so many stories online of people just using shoplights I wasn't willing to spend $300 to make a salesman happy. In my humble opinion you really don't need anything more fancy than cheap shoplights and daylight bulbs.

December 2, 2015	#13
jillian Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 880	I have this one http://www.amazon.com/8lamps-DL8208-...olux+t5+grow+l, and I LOVE it. It also comes in a 4 ft. fixture, the 2 ft. more than serves my purposes. Amazing light at a great price! Jillian

December 2, 2015	#15
SharonRossy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,140	I went with the Sunblaster Nanotech T5 Ho lighting which I set up on a table not hanging because I grew my seedlings in an extra bedroom (one way to make sure your kids don't move back in, lol!). I loved it, got rid of all the lamps and bulbs. The only thing I did wrong was keeping the lights on too long and my seedlings grew quite rapidly before I could plant outside. But it was fantastic. You can add up to 7 lights and I added the reflectors. Neat, not hot and very efficient. The only thing with the table top set up is that it becomes difficult as the seedlings grow to keep the lights high enough. But if you get the ceiling connection, no problem. Highly recommend!