Propagation: Please critique my diy grow light set-up, 1 by hcmcdole

hcmcdole wrote:
The 17 Watts of fluorescent light output (in lumens) is equivalent to 70 Watts of incandescent light output is what the reference is to. So you get the same amount of light for a lot less energy - you save lots of $$ - its like cutting your lighting bill by 75%. You pay more for the light up front but you save in the long run both in energy costs and typically a fluorescent will last a lot, lot longer than incandescent bulbs.

I just compared one of the first places that was on the Google list when I searched for grow lights. The garden supply store had a T5 system (one bulb, 54 watts) puts out almost as much light as a standard shop light T12 with two bulbs. This system also has a stand if you need it, the fixture, and one bulb for $80. The shop lights plus two bulbs I got at Home Depot were $12. I have over 60 fixtures so my initial cost was over $700. With the special grow light at this on line garden supply store would be almost $5000 for the same set up.

Here is a photo of one of my rooms in the basement.