[QUOTE=mysidx;254626]I recently realized that I need more light fixtures, after running out of room for my transplants, and back up seedlings that I just started. [COLOR=red]I don't see how Craig has so many flats of plants with only two shop lights, and how they don't suffer from insufficient light.[/QUOTE[/COLOR]]

Seems to me he posted he does the same as I do, carries them outside as soon as they pop up and brings those babies in if it get to close to frost. :) Linda

System looks good, but lamps need to be about 2" above what you are growing, to promote the most husky plants (they stretch to light).

Good news - a grower with 4 acres wants me to raise about 6,500 additional starts! That means more lights, space, $ and satisfaction.

We built a six-level light stand with 17 fixtures and 34 T-12 bulbs (cost for materials <$300). It can hold 24 1020-size trays and is filling up fast!

I'm using a lot of 288 plug trays, so theoretically this setup could hold >6,900 seedlings simultaneously. Of course they can stay there only for a couple of weeks, then it's transplanting time and moving to a makeshift greenhouse.

[IMG]http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/SEAMSFASTER/Seedlings/LightStand3-06-2012B.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/SEAMSFASTER/Seedlings/LightStand3-17-12C.jpg[/IMG]

That's great news! :)

Fantastic! Congratulations, and best of luck!

I buy the shop lights at Lowe's and the T8's in a twin pack. The T8 bulb's
are something like 7.97 for the twin pack. Not very expensive.

I used regular work light fixtures with 100 watt daylight CF bulbs with great success this year... very cheap and works great...

Raybo, where did you find the base to support multiple Jump Start lights? I have the 48" light set but the based only supports 1 light.

I think I'm going to upgrade to a 400W Metal Halide system...:))

Here's my larger light stand at full capacity:

[IMG]http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/SEAMSFASTER/Seedlings/LightStand4-13-2012.jpg[/IMG]


Except these two trays:



[IMG]http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/SEAMSFASTER/Seedlings/TomatoSeedling4-13-2012B.jpg[/IMG]

These are the first two of 25+ 288 plug trays. More than ready to transfer to pots, 557 of 576 germination, all from seeds I saved last year using the fermentation method. Some others have not done so well.

Time is scarce, but I had some great help yesterday and we got nearly 1,000 pepper seedlings into pots then under the metal halide lights:

[IMG]http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h368/SEAMSFASTER/Seedlings/Seedlingsundermetalhalide4-14-2012.jpg[/IMG]

Yup, it's a jungle in here!

Wow! My experience is that you will need to spread out plants once they get bigger, and use a fan on them several hours a day to toughen them up. That may be your biggest challenge. When they grow together, they aren't strong enough to stand up on their own. Good Luck.

wow that looks really amaxing where do you get that jumpstart from /can I use it in a garage

[QUOTE=DogsandDirt;267670]Raybo, where did you find the base to support multiple Jump Start lights? I have the 48" light set but the based only supports 1 light.[/QUOTE]

I'm guessing he did a little DIY'ing.