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seeds Will these lights work for seedlings?

G

GrumpyPepper

Hey everybody, 
 
This year will be the first year that I am growing a wide variety of peppers and am planning on starting from seeds. I just want to know if this light will work for seedlings until they are transplanted outside after the last frost. I do not intend to use this light for prolonged growing, or trying to harvest peppers indoors but just from Feb - April/May when they are seeds/seedlings. 
 
The light in question:
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DNPL2VC/?coliid=I1YS5DVRV66JG9&colid=K44USUJ5LU0X&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
 
I will probably be using 3 or 4 per rack on a wired wrack like this:
 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Trinity-48-in-W-x-18-in-D-5-Tier-NSF-Chrome-Wire-Shelving-Rack-Decorative-Shelf-TBFZ-0910/206443633
 
Thanks! 
 
Yeah, I'm pretty sure they are both LEDs as they have the same output if you were to add 2 together it would equal one of the Shop Lights. 
 
That being said, which would be better? The ones linked by Juanitos has a hoods to help with reflection and it would be easier to hang on the wrack, it is also 5k instead of 6.5k. It is also 45$ more but would still keep me under 100 and should be enough for two full racks of seeds. 
 
 
 
Walchit said:
The ones you posted have a total of 19,200 lm

Op is 17,600

But cheaper. I would say try them out
Click to expand...
 
So would it be worth the extra 40 bucks for the higher lm/hoods/hanging clips or should I just go with the cheaper ones? 
 
Also, does 5k vs 6.5k matter for seedlings?
 
I don't mind spending an extra 40 bucks if it would be a better light all around. 
 
Thanks! 
 
GrumpyPepper said:
 
So would it be worth the extra 40 bucks for the higher lm/hoods/hanging clips or should I just go with the cheaper ones? 
 
Also, does 5k vs 6.5k matter for seedlings?
 
I don't mind spending an extra 40 bucks if it would be a better light all around. 
 
Thanks! 
Click to expand...
 

For me I am a straight up cheap a$$ mofo and would rather put the extra $40 back into buying a whole other set and doubling the lm but for seedlings you could probably make up that 2k lm with very inexpensive options or not even bother and would be fine I think.
 
Last couple seasons starting my other vegis and flowers I have always used 6500k...now I based this on an article I found from a Canadian University that stated the farther North you went the more blue the light was from the sun. If I can manage to find that article I will link it. But 6500k worked just fine for me. Have always wondered what everyone else was using.
 
There is honestly no harm in trying them out. If worse comes to worse you at least have lighting for a shed or garage possibly. The money you saved can go back into a quality fertilizer or grow tent or even both honestly!
 
I start all my seeds out on CFL regardless of what type of plant it is.

LED does cost more but if you intend on 24 hour usage over months/years, you will save on electricity and bulb replacement.

As far as that rack goes, i have that exact one. Just get one that is deep enough for your needs. You can split it into two different racks for waist level unless you need one that is higher.


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GrumpyPepper said:
 
So would it be worth the extra 40 bucks for the higher lm/hoods/hanging clips or should I just go with the cheaper ones? 
 
Also, does 5k vs 6.5k matter for seedlings?
 
Click to expand...
 
Yes, I think the lights you are considering should work. The ones Juanitos linked would probably be easier to mount on the rack. On the other hand, with the cheaper ones I'm thinking that you might be able to squeeze in an extra bulb or two on each level of the rack. 
 
Peppers don't seem to be that fussy about light spectrum. I have plants under 4100K T8s and 6500K T5s. They both work fine for me. 
 
T5 means the light is a tube of 5/8" diameter.

T8 means the light is a tube of 8/8" diameter.

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Peppergrower said:
There is honestly no harm in trying them out. If worse comes to worse you at least have lighting for a shed or garage possibly. The money you saved can go back into a quality fertilizer or grow tent or even both honestly!
Click to expand...
 

I would totally agree with that...And really 5k is a daylight (early afternoon I think) color temp.
 
Thanks everybody!
 
I have them both on my wishlist for now, I'll probably decide which I'll get when I pick up the stand. The ease of attaching/unattaching them to the stand might sway me to the more expensive option. I'm just glad that either of these options will allow me to grow the seeds for a relatively cheap startup cost.
 
This is the one i mentioned to a friend. He got it and loves it. You can run either all 6 bulbs or just 3. Pretty good deal too. I think there is also a white version for a little less.
https://www.amazon.com/AgroBrite-Designer-6-Tube-Fixture-Fluorescent/dp/B015UUKBP8/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1542040408&sr=1-1&keywords=agrobrite+t5+6+bulb
 
White version
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005H1C74O/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvpv2_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6375e697-f226-4dbd-a63a-5ec697811ee1&pd_rd_wg=ugg1M&pf_rd_r=0SE1GHTK53AG0D4H3XX9&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B005H1C7NA&pd_rd_w=7N7EB&pf_rd_i=t5%2B6%2Bbulb&pd_rd_r=b1c6ca64-84af-4745-8004-375aeaa4a252&ie=UTF8&qid=1542040694&sr=3&th=1
 
 
4 tube models will fit that rack and they run about $92 each if you really want to use that rack.
3"H x 13.5"W x 46"L
 
This has been good info. I'm going to buy one of these systems. Question I have is what is the best height distance between the lights and the seedling cups. 
 
I've found a lot of success around a wide variety of plant seedlings keeping a fluorescent tube bulb (or set of them) kept several inches (2-3) above the top of the seedlings. Fluorescents develop heat, but not a ton. Keep an eye on your starts and if they seem to stretch and get tall and skinny, get the light closer. If they're burning a little, move the light further.
 
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