Seedling light set recommendations

14 years ago

As the holidays approach, my dear wife has asked me if there's anything I might like as a present for my garden. Probably the next thing I was going to get myself would be a growing light for seed starting. I'm a purely amateur, hobbyist urban gardener - so I don't need anything elaborate, and certainly nothing too expensive. Just something I can set up in our spare room that will keep the little plants happy.

Any suggestions for what I should look for in a growing light? Anyone have any particular ones that they're especially happy with? Or even a site that reviews or evaluates them? I'll keep researching on my own through google, but I end up getting directed to a lot of very intense hydroponic systems, which I think are well beyond what I need.

Alan

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Comments (5)

User
14 years ago
For seed starting you don't need special bulbs. Simply mix together cool and warm florescent tubes. Some say you don't even need the mix just cool or just war is fine. To be clear I am talking about just normal fluorescent bulbs you would get at Lowes or walmart. Buy regular shop lights and put them right next to each other so the reflectors touch. That is all you need and just keep the bulbs an inch or two away from the plants.
gardengimp
14 years ago
Alan, here is a picture of my setup I took back in August. The plants on the sides where brought in temporarily for the hurricane watch.

I use cell trays, and 3 light sets is the bare minimum. 4 would be better. On one end I have a small vertical oscillating fan. A mechanical timer and a multi-outlet box and something to set it all on and you are ready to go.

Although, I have to advise you to search here on the forums for Tom's seeding start up system. It is major cool.

~dianne
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albaby
Original Author
14 years ago
I appreciate the input - and having priced out the components at HD, I think I'll try to put together my own rig, rather than buy one of the ready-made lighting systems. Nothing as elaborate as Tom's (which I found after a quick search, and it is AWESOME). With my small garden, I'm only starting off 25 or so plants each season so I don't really need a huge set-up.

Alan

Here is a link that might be useful: Tom's Awesome Seed Rig
abnorm
14 years ago
I've always used the flourescent tubes to grow the seeds....Soon the seedlings end up anemic under a couple fixtures......This year I'm experimenting with something different....

Silvia posted about UrbanSunshine....I stopped by....It's a Hydroponic/GROW Store! I had a EUREKA moment when I saw their economy grow light utilizing a hanging reflector and a large CFL bulb.......

Here's an early attempt.....That's two 300 watt CFL's
(Home Depot $17x2)......

The light is intense...the plants LOVE it...It's only 2700K but the plants don't seem to mind....I hung Two of the bulbs from a custom fixture.....the fixture hanging from a moving light track....

Time will tell....doug
whgille
14 years ago
Hi Doug - That is some nice set up! let us know how it works for you, if it does, I will be copying one, lol

Silvia