bulb not included, but will use either a T8 or T12 bulb. Southern California Edison is subsidizing the cost of these light fixtures and you can buy them at Ganahl Lumber in Buena Park, CA, limit 10. I am trying to decide should I make a four shelf growing stand with two lamps on above each shelf, or three shelves with 3 tubes above each shelf. T12 bulbs cost about $1.88 each, but I have seen them on sale as low as 99 cents.