Grow Light Stand

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

So I built my stand for the plants that can't make it into a decent window over the winter. I am hoping I will only need this one shelf. If I need another it is easy to order another set of lights.

I got a 5-tier shelf at Target and only built the bottom half of it. I'll use the other half for shed storage.

I got some plastic liners off Amazon to line the shelves with. This should prevent drops from leftover water in the pots from damaging my floor and will allow me to place smaller pots on the surface easily.

The hardest part was getting the lights I needed/wanted. I spent a lot of time in Lowe's and Home Depot but could not find anything that suited me. I spent a few days looking online and finally decided on the SunBlaster's with Nano Tech T5 reflectors. These are sold as grow lights so they already came with the T5 6500I bulbs that I wanted. These are awesome and can be connected so you only have one power cord.

I also ordered a programmable digital timer to plug the lights into as well as 6 feet of chain to attach the lights to the stand. I seaparated the chain into 1 1/2 feet pieces, which allows me to easily adjust the height of the lights.

Obligatory cat picture.

The lights.

The set-up. I plan on having two rows of plants with the taller ones in the back and shorter ones in the front. I have a lot of possibilities with adjustment.

The chains can easily be moved as needed.

I know it doesn't seem like much but I'm usually the type to just buy things pre-designed. I'm excited that I built this myself and literally saved hundreds of dollars doing so.

Oh, wait! One more :) Tired from all the hard work.

-Erica

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Comments (4)

oldstumpy1 Long Island ny
11 years ago
looks good but where are the plants.

Richard
Plantspace (5a)
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Set up looks good, BUT I couldnt help but notice you had a nice window and sunlight coming in! Did you just close it for the photos or ? Was going to suggest bringing the lowest level a bit higher closer to the window to grab more of that natural sunlight if you plan on opening it up at all. Also one more suggestion at the very bottom put some kind of plastic protection for the carpet, just in case a plant spills or water makes its way down.

and oh yes, cute cat, they're always always hard at work lol :)
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ewwmayo
11 years ago
I have the same lights - I really like them! Also have the same shelves in my basement (for storing things) and a similar version for my plants outside (which got a tiny bit rusty...).

Is the plastic liner you purchased very sturdy? With these shelves, I noticed that small 2.5" pots risk toppling over if they're not placed perfectly or bolstered by surrounding pots. I ended up putting some white plastic lighting egg crate (<$10 for a large sheet) which worked nicely.
ehuns27 7a PA
Original Author
11 years ago
Plants are enjoying the warm weather outside :)

Thanks, Minty. That window is north facing and I will have it open sometimes. I want to be able to have it closed though without worrying if they are getting light.

I was thinking of putting a cut up shower curtain at the bottom to protect the flooring but I don't think it much matters. The carpet is stain resistant and the floor underneath is linoleum, oddly enough.

Mayo, glad to hear the lights are good. There weren't many 36 inch options and these seemed too good to be true!

The liners are really thick plastic and are awesome. I got them off Amazon for maybe $12 or so for both. I have a bunch of 3 and 4 inch pots that I even struggle with spacing because they topple over and this definitely solves that issue.

-Erica