Confused, which simple grow lights should I get?

4 years ago

I want to set up a simple grow light station to keep my seedlings growing the best I can till I take them outside. I may do some micro green growing too. But that would be pretty much like growing healthy seedlings.

(I tried to give links to the pdt page on Amazon but that would not work. I am writing out the name as it appears on the pdt page. May be able to go to the pdt by highlighting)

An YTer suggested these shop lights:

Barrina LED Shop Light 4ft, 40W 5000LM 6500K, No RF & FM Interference Garage Light with reflectors, V Shape Linkable Shop Light, Clear Cover T8 Light Fixture, Plug and Play (Pack of 10)

while asking the vendor a question, they said their 'grow lights' would be better for me:

Barrina LED Grow Light 4FT,168W(4 x 42W, 1000W Equivalent), Full Spectrum, V-Shape with Reflector Combo, Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Greenhouse, 4-Pack

These are different kinds of lights. I just dont have the background knowledge to make an informed choice.

I would be so grateful if you tell me what would work best for me or what to read to make the best decision.

Thanks so much!!

Featured Answer

User

4 years ago

I used to use just plain fluorescents, just whatever they had at Home Depot, and they were fine. I'm now using leds, however and they are just fantastic! So great that in fact last spring my started-from-seed delphiniums actually started to bloom TOO early (like, end of April), and all my other seedlings did great. Also, the quality of the light is really pleasing (which for me is a big plus since the only place my plant lights can go in our tiny house is in my home office). But again, I do think you'll be absolutely fine with regular fluorescents.

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Comments (6)

erasmus_gw
4 years ago
Katyajini, It's possible that grow lights would be better but I always have used ordinary florescent lights such as a shop light and for seedlings they work fine. I keep the lights close to the seedlings so they won't get leggy. Keep an eye out for fungus gnats. They are little bitty flying insects. The larvae eat roots.
katyajini thanked erasmus_gw
katyajini
Original Author
4 years ago
I just ordered the shop lights before I got this message @erasmus_gw, thank you! I am setting the shelves and lighting up in a spare bathroom that has a strong ventilation fan. Maybe the ventilation might help against the fungus gnats. I have never had them but with more seedlings growing, who knows!
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woodrose77
4 years ago
According to Gary Pilarchik you need "Daylight" shop lights that are 3,000 lumens or higher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgDwTZcnTWI
katyajini thanked woodrose77
merrybookwyrm
4 years ago
francis_in_nj, what kind of LEDs are you using? The fluorescent shoplights here have bitten the dust. I'm trying to decide whether to replace them with some kind of led shop lights, or search out old school fluorescent ones. Please and thank you
hc mcdole
4 years ago
I have been getting the Honeywell 5,000 lumen LED shop lights at Sam's Club for $20 - works great. And they are half the weight of the fluorescent shop lights which makes hanging them so much easier - one hand instead of two to hold them.

here is a unit I built last year for taller plants in the basement - 7' tall, 6' long, 4' wide to accommodate 4 LED lights (that can be daisy chained which is a nice feature too).