Growlight + Plant Racks
 

Anyone have any advice for a grow light setup to start plants indoors. Looking to do a t5 lightbulbs on multiple racks for my grandma.

Something simliar to this

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV4-4-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0001XLSGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389500120&sr=8-1&keywords=grow+light+plant+start[/URL]

Of course that is ridiculously expensive. Thinking of doing a multi tray stacking setup.

I use the 2 foot wide HydroFarms system, ganging 3 lights together on one base. Very compact and does a great job:

[URL="http://s1192.photobucket.com/user/raybo2/media/IMG_1211.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa322/raybo2/IMG_1211.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Raybo:D

Heh, out of all people I thought you would have a homemade one.

[QUOTE=tqn626;386588]Heh, out of all people I thought you would have a homemade one.[/QUOTE]

Normally I would have, but my son owns Santa Fe Hydroponics and I got these at cost....:yes:

Raybo:D

This year we have a bunk bed set in the spare bedroom. I plan on taking the mattress off the lower bunk, and usingsome of cheap board there instead to hold my plants. Then I can tie my 2 foot by 8 foot grow light to the upper bunk for hanging and adjust the height as needed!

That is a creative idea with the bunk bed.

The frame to hold your lights can be made out of lumber if you have a saw and a drill to build it. It doesn't have to be pretty to work well.

[QUOTE=tqn626;386574]Anyone have any advice for a grow light setup to start plants indoors. Looking to do a t5 lightbulbs on multiple racks for my grandma.

Something simliar to this

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV4-4-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0001XLSGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389500120&sr=8-1&keywords=grow+light+plant+start[/URL]

Of course that is ridiculously expensive. Thinking of doing a multi tray stacking setup.[/QUOTE]

I like the [URL="http://sunblasterlighting.com/t5-fixtures.php"]Sun Blaster T5 systems[/URL] which are available from a number of suppliers; for example Harris Seeds.

Thanks Cole! I'm limited on room right now. Last year I used an old coffee table for the plants with the grow light attached to ceiling hooks by a cheaper length of chain I bought by the foot at the local hardware store.
That cheap coffee table ended up breaking over the summer due in part by some water leakage when I was watering plants last spring. Oops!

So after much thought, i'm not cheaping out on this growlight system for my grandma. My plans so far is to either get a 2 foot growlight or 4 foot.

For a 2 foot setup i will use this stand.

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/Sandusky-WS241430-Adjustable-Shelving-Shelves/dp/B009O086MQ/ref=pd_sbs_hg_8[/URL]

or

[url]http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials-black-3-tier-wire-shelving/-/A-13892292?reco=Rec|pdp|13892292|ViewedPurchased|item_page.vertical_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|ViewedPurchased|item_page.vertical_1[/url]

Not sure if the height is adjustable on this one.

The lighting for a 2 foot would be

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/EnviroGro-2Ft-Tube-Fixture-Bulbs-FLT22/dp/B0031CA3OM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1389597590&sr=8-7&keywords=t5+2bulb[/URL]

or

[URL]http://newandusedgrowlights.com/shop/fixtures/t5-fluorescent-light-fixture-2-bulb-2-ft/[/URL]


For a 4 foot setup im debating on

[URL]http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTG-Supply-4-Foot-2-Lamp-High-Output-T5-Fixture[/URL]

or

[URL]http://www.amazon.com/EnviroGro-4Ft-Tube-Fixture-Bulbs-FLT44/dp/B005H1C7NA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389598472&sr=8-1&keywords=t5+4+foot[/URL]


In the end i may just build a PVC stand. Still researching on stand and various fixtures. I can get a 20% discount at the local hydro store i frequent so i may just buy the light fixture there. I keep you guys/gals updated on some good prices.

I have the T5 4' lights w/4 bulbs from Amazon-very bright!!

I set it up on 6 Jan, 2014

I bought 3 of the lights and mounted a couple wire shelves in my store room in the basement...The bottom/floor I have lettuce and spinach growing. The 2nd tier is a mix of tomatoes, peppers and summer squash. The top shelf is parsley, basil, cilantro, scallions and 2 NBD tomatoes and 2 Siberian tomatoes.

I recycled the cardboard that the lights came in and wrapped them with mylar to make all 4 sides reflective around the shelves.

In 1 week I had almost all of my containers sprouting up!

It's been a fun project:)

I will post some pics later.

[QUOTE=Sgtwalleye;386804]I have the T5 4' lights w/4 bulbs from Amazon-very bright!!

I set it up on 6 Jan, 2014

I bought 3 of the lights and mounted a couple wire shelves in my store room in the basement...The bottom/floor I have lettuce and spinach growing. The 2nd tier is a mix of tomatoes, peppers and summer squash. The top shelf is parsley, basil, cilantro, scallions and 2 NBD tomatoes and 2 Siberian tomatoes.

I recycled the cardboard that the lights came in and wrapped them with mylar to make all 4 sides reflective around the shelves.

In 1 week I had almost all of my containers sprouting up!

It's been a fun project:)

I will post some pics later.[/QUOTE]

Did you buy actual mylar sheets or use the emergency blankets.

I;m using this right now.

[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GCRWCG/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/url]

I purchased a roll...
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Mylar-Roll-Feet-Long/dp/B00725XC42/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389729072&sr=8-3&keywords=Mylar[/url]

It is working good so far.

Think I can put 4 grow trays stack horizontally side by side with this

[url]http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/88858/SUN-960300.html?utm_source=SmartFeedGoogleBase&utm_medium=Shopping&utm_term=SUN-960300&utm_content=T5+Reflectors&utm_campaign=SmartFeedGoogleBaseShopping&gclid=CLGJ5o_C_7sCFZdsfgodly8AtA[/url]

light stand
 

I built one like this and can send you detailed drawings with dimensions if you want to make on. I used bolts and wingnuts so I can disassemble it for storage.
[IMG]http://www.motherearthnews.com/~/media/Images/MEN/Editorial/Articles/Magazine%20Articles/2006/12-01/Grow%20and%20Sell%20Heirloom%20Tomatoes/TomatoPlantStand.jpg[/IMG]

That's extremely impressive and good looking. I ended up buying a Sunblaze 44 for 120 flat. Going to build a stand out of pvc on saturday.