New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: connellsville, pa
Posts: 22
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first time starting stuff from seeds. i have some planted just waiting to sprout and while thats happens im trying to find a good cheap setup. i was looking at a 4' shop light that i can hang from 2x4s from a chain so its easy to adjust and it has a plug to add a timer. from what i have read is u want more to the cool side of the cpectrum (blues)
thanks |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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That should be fine. I don't think seedlings are that picky about spectrum.
The key with flouros is easy height adjustment, so you can keep them very close to the plants. |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: connellsville, pa
Posts: 22
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ok wasnt sure if the plant aquarium one would be better or just a daylight one
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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Is the aquarium light also a flourescent? Is the only difference spectrum? Look at the lumens they each put out as well.
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: ny
Posts: 1,219
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I use T8 Alto Daylight Deluxe (home Depot.) For wire-type restaurant shelving I have 4 fluorescent bulbs per shelf
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Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7! |
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 323
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I have a set up with two shelves, each shelf has a fixed ballast . I inherited this set up, and it works okay. I have to raise the seedlings up to the fixed light on boxes, but it isn't much trouble. Anyway, tbe top ballast has two plant/ aquarium lights. The bottom has two brighter bluer flourescents. Despite the fact that the bottom looks far brighter to my eyes, my tomatoes LOVE the top shelf. I just use the $15 plant/aquarium lights. Tomatoes planted the same day, same variety gow faster, stronger and leafier on the top shelf.They are actually pinkish and warm in light. So I am hoping to replace my brighter ones before next season.
This is obly my experience...but tbat is just to say youe plants will be fie with those lights! |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 6a - NE Tennessee
Posts: 4,538
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I use 4 foot - T-12 fixtures with "Daylight" bulbs. It seems to make the hardening off process go a lot smoother. Not sure, but it seems to. The fixtures are on timers set at 16 on and 8 off.
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Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,001
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And I'm also using 4' T-12 fixtures. The number I look for on the bulbs is 6500, or the "coolest." Mine are set for 12 hours on and 12 off. Microgreens are fantastic, and pepper and tomato starts seem to love the setup.
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"Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you!" -- Tommy Smothers |
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: connellsville, pa
Posts: 22
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picked up a cheap shop light with two t8 6500 lights. seeds just started sprouting yesterday. noticed some white stringy mold growing on my plant name sticks. took them out guess i need to get some plastic ones hopefully the light helps
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