Advice on plant lights?

Like Dignbloom, I'm just getting ready to start my seeds (the ones I've gotten from all you awesome people) indoors for the first time. I have been so anxious to do it, but now that it's about that time, I'm trying to get some more info. I know that there are great websites that tell how to grow from each type of seed... so I don't need info about that. The thing I need advice on is plant lights. I think I would have more luck if I used these. I want to be able to start all my seeds in my guest bedroom because my cat and Greyhound would have fun digging in them while I'm at work! That way, I can close the door. The only thing is- that room only has one window. I'm willing to invest in them, but then again I don't want to pay $300! What do you guys use?

Dave - I think this is the best site on the web! Gardeners are so nice!

Thanks in advance,
Shannon

I use a regular shop light. I have a farm and garden store that sells gro lights for shop lights for about $10.00. I have been growing under the flouresent(sp?)light for almost 2 months now and they are doing great. This is the first time I have tried this. So far so good.

Shannon
I use Gro Lites in cheap shop light fixtures.
I use one Gro Lite and one Soleil Brio tube per fixture and suspend them about 4 inches above the plants. I put 3 shop lights side by side which gives me about 48 x 24 lighted
area. I can get four 10 x 20 flats per shelf.
The cost is about $20 for a fixture and 2 lights.
When seedlings first germinate I usually put them closer to the lights until they get some true leaves. This helps to prevent stretching or legginess.
For a small area you can get a Gro Lite spot lamp. This , combined with a 75w incandescent bulb is satisfactory for one flat. You must turn the tray every day for good coverage.
Bud

Thanks Meghan! Can you tell me about how long each day you leave the light on each day? And this may sound silly, but I'm not sure I know what a shop light is.

Never mind about the shop light thing... I just asked my husband. Of course I knew what that was. It's been a long week!!

I've used the shop lights with the regular flouresent bulb in them for several years now. I have read that you should replace the bulbs each year. Something about the hue of the light changing as the bulb grows older, something that we won't see with our eye, but will make a difference to the plants. Since the bulbs are very inexpensive, this is easy to do.

I have 2 of the lights suspended over my table. And another light suspended under the table for more plant space.

This year I'm trying the grow bulbs in one of my light fixtures just to see if there will be much difference. So far, the seedlings are germinating at the same rate. I imagine any difference will show up with the growth of the seedlings.

One more thought on the plant lights - I have several lights and they are all plugged into one power strip. This way just one switch to turn everything on or off. This way the light cords don't need to be plugged in and out each day. Anything to make it easier!

Hi Bud: I have a shop light in the garage - and DH got some 6' 4-bulbers from a job they were doing - they were discarding them. He set them up in an outside storage shed.

Thanks for the info re bulb types. Now, I need some help, please. Do you put your stuff in plastic bags and seal? When do you move them to larger pots? 2 leaves, 4 leaves, etc.

DH and I are going to visit you at the Farmer's Market this Spring - let us know when you get going. Maybe Lisa can come up.

Thanks, Grits

Grits
We would love to have you all.
Bud