Hi new, I have a lighting question?

Great website! I've been reading for a couple weeks & got some great info.
But I'm having a hard time finding the right light at a economy price. I built 3 shelves in my kitchen window to start my seeds in. I'm getting 3 small flourescent lights that will move up & down to the height needed. Starting at 1"-2" from the seedling. Going up to 6" above. What I need to find is a 6' plant light for the plants when they out grow that set-up. I only have one place to finish them. I will have plants that will have flowers & fruit, tomatoes. I want to grow veggies for salads and keep some container flowering plants alive through the winter. After reading I think it means I need red-orange spectrum. Like a T8 or T5? Is that right? and where can I get the best buy? Thank you very much!

Thank you. Well they grew so big & I didn't figure out which light to buy so they're out on the patio awaiting the freeze to get them. Guess I'll start again in spring.

Mona--sorry, didn't see your original question. Are you looking for a light that is 6' in length? I think everything is pretty much a standard 2 or 4'.

A T8 or T5 fixture can provide a lot of light. I've got both types.....I think I prefer the T5, although they are little more expensive to start with. However, I grow tons of seedlings and need strong light, so for me it was worth the expense. I also manage to keep a lot of herbs and coleus cuttings overwintered.

If you want some recommendations on where I've purchased from, feel free to send me a d-mail.

I do not know much about plant lights but DH has a long one in the garage for the alocasias, brugs, bananas, plumerias and other tropicals. this is on 24-7 and a smaller one in the dining room for the jasmines and other house plants. thos is also on 24 - 7

Now i have a ??? Will i see an increase in my electric bill?

Thanks,

Belle

Belle: That's a good question that I don't know the answer to--hopefully someone here can address that.

THe only time I ever have all of my grow lights off is for a few months during the summer. Since we're running our air conditioning full blast by then, it's hard to notice any change from having the lights off LOL

i have to wait for the bill but then the house heater is on and the pond is also on.

Belle

If you don't want to wait for the bill then you can use a watt meter for $20 something that will measure the watt, amp, watt hour, and voltage. It can also be used to measure the energy household items use when plugged in but not turned on (like the TV, Computer, vacuum cleaner, kitchen appliances, etc.). It is rated for 120vac and so will not do 240vac items.

The one I have is http://www.amazon.com/P3-International-P4400-Electricity-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU



This message was edited Nov 21, 2011 1:32 PM

Should have also said that you can calculate the amount of energy that a light fixture uses by the number of hours the light is used a month. That will give you basically the watt-hour value. The cost is then the number watt-hours per month times the price the electricity company charges you per watt-hour. On fluorescents there is energy usage by the lighting ballast but the above calc should get you somewhat close.

This message was edited Nov 21, 2011 2:42 PM

I use 50 watts per tube for and old style 4' fluorescent with magnetic ballast and 40 watts per tube for the latest t12s with electronic ballasts.
The rate for Virginia power I looked up is 10.61 cents per KW. This means that a 2 tube traditional fixture will cost 1.06 cents per hour to run. (50watts x 2 /1000watts/KW x 10.61c/KW) Running them 16 hours per day will cost you 17 cents per day or about $ 5.10 per month.



This message was edited Nov 23, 2011 8:28 AM

Hi folks - I found these on special https://www.owlyn.com/commercial-t5-4ft-4-tube-fixture-flt44.html Best price I found that beats Amazon.

Also, been having good luck with https://www.owlyn.com/haight-solid-state-led-grow-light.html More expensive but uses 90 watts and does not take up much space at all. I have three 2 1/2 foot tall tomatoes FLOWERING already and it's only been 2 months since planting seeds.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/48/

I've run 12 fluorescent lights almost 12 hours/day since January. I find my electric bill increase is quite negligible...around $5-6 add'l per month?

The link is to the originator of the light shelf system I use. Here's my own system below.

This message was edited Dec 2, 2011 11:01 AM