See the Inexpensive Seed Starting System message thread below.

MM

Hi Packer,

Use the reference from maineman,

Metal shelving unit from Sam's club is about $75. It is 5 shelf unit plus the top. I would reduce it to 3 shelves when you assemble it - but with an increased distance between the shelves.

Walmart carries the cheapest shoplights - about $7 a piece. If you are interested in low light plants - like african violets, - 1 shoplight will be enough, otherwise - 2 lights per shelf = 6 x $7= $42. You would need 6 cool white and 6 warm white 48$ bulbs - $30. You will need a power strip, timer and plug thing from 3 prongs to 2 - so you can use an inexpensive Walmart timer $5.

Someway the 2 foot fixtures are 3 times more expensive than shoplights - so whatever you can invent with 2 footers - will be less economical. ANother option - they will start selling 2 shelves minigreenhouses for seed starting soon - green metal contraption with a plastic cover. They are $20-30. I got 2 of them, made a 3 shelf unit out of 2, bought some 1/4 metal copper pipes, cut them to pieces and replaced the initial green vertical pipes that were too short for me. You can get a light stick - single 24' fluorescent light in walmart for $6 with the bulb. You would need 6 or 12 of them - depending on you llight requirements - and you are done.

Good luck

irina