Can anyone recommend a good small grow light setup for starting seeds. I'm gonna do containers a few plants at a time so I don't need anything massive. Google brings up so many options I'm not sure what to go with. Thanks in advance!
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Grow light recommendations for a newb!
- Thread starter thirdcoasttx
- Start date
Are you growing the plants indoors fully? Or just to get them big enough to plant out?
Just to get them big enough to transfer outside.
And a small pc fan to help strengthen the main trunk.
And a small pc fan to help strengthen the main trunk.
And a small pc fan to help strengthen the main trunk.
I like LEDs but I make my own,don't like the cheep ones on the net.
I like t12 Fluorescent lights in 5000-6500k.
T 8 are too hot for my shelves and don't or didn't come in the 5000-6500k I liked in the lumens that the t12 come in.
My grow room has no windows,it stays 80 degrees+ even in the winter.
Gets too hot with only 2 shelves of 8 t8 fluoros on them.
t12's were no problem.
I think the t8 ballasts get a lot hotter.
Never tried halides or cfl's due to heat...
LEDs are best if you get the right ones.
The cheap ones are crap for the most part.5mm LEDs with no lumens.
Good for suplimental light for branching but too weak for what the seller claims they will do.
Some will work for sprouts but only that at best.
They aren't any better than fluoros.
I'd build my own LED panel for a few $ more if you want to go with LEDs.
LEDs can be built with the wavelength plants use.
Other light sources aren't,in general as light wavelength specific.
Get shop lights and get bulbs in the highest lumens you can find in 5000-6500 k for your starter plants.
Cheapest way to go I think.
I like t12 Fluorescent lights in 5000-6500k.
T 8 are too hot for my shelves and don't or didn't come in the 5000-6500k I liked in the lumens that the t12 come in.
My grow room has no windows,it stays 80 degrees+ even in the winter.
Gets too hot with only 2 shelves of 8 t8 fluoros on them.
t12's were no problem.
I think the t8 ballasts get a lot hotter.
Never tried halides or cfl's due to heat...
LEDs are best if you get the right ones.
The cheap ones are crap for the most part.5mm LEDs with no lumens.
Good for suplimental light for branching but too weak for what the seller claims they will do.
Some will work for sprouts but only that at best.
They aren't any better than fluoros.
I'd build my own LED panel for a few $ more if you want to go with LEDs.
LEDs can be built with the wavelength plants use.
Other light sources aren't,in general as light wavelength specific.
Get shop lights and get bulbs in the highest lumens you can find in 5000-6500 k for your starter plants.
Cheapest way to go I think.
millworkman
Extreme Member
Moved to tech.
I have a Hydrofarm 2' 4 tube that I use for seedlings that does great. You can get one for less than $100 of amazon.
If your just starting plants you can get t8 shop lights at Walmart for around ten a piece. They work great..
+1 the T5 HO. If in your budget, even the regular non grow fixtures will produce impressive results.
Something like this maybe? https://sunlightsupply.com/p-11376-sun-blaze-t5-ho-fluorescent-light-fixtures.aspx
Something like this maybe? https://sunlightsupply.com/p-11376-sun-blaze-t5-ho-fluorescent-light-fixtures.aspx
That would be a nice addition.
That would be a nice addition.
The sun system HPS are nice little lamps, built in ballast and 150W of HPS goodness, definitely a nice, high lumen option for starting out.
I've got a 400W switchable in a 4x4 tent. Half the tent is dedicated to propogation however and I use 42 watt CFL 6700K then move them under the 400W HPS when I start to see flowers.
I've got a 400W switchable in a 4x4 tent. Half the tent is dedicated to propogation however and I use 42 watt CFL 6700K then move them under the 400W HPS when I start to see flowers.
+1 for 150 Hps. More lumens than 150 watts of fluorescent and your plants will probably require less 'hardening off' when you move them outside. Only downsides are cost and if you want to upgrade you have to buy a more powerful ballast.