What systems/approaches have you folks tried. I've seen kits by Gardena (spelling?) and know some folk use halides (expensive?). I've also seen posts regards LCD lighting.
What have you folks tried/researched that works :)
chriscross1966 is probably your man for this if he's around..there are also some past discussions if you have a quick search..
There are lots of lights on offer on the web - a lot aimed at the illegal weed market - but simply put..
LEDs - interesting but probably not there yet - give it a few years
Sodium and Metal Halide bulbs - They work very well but are very inefficient in terms of heat output. They are likely to burn or fry tender seedlings and generally need ventilation
Flouro tubes - These lights (http://www.growell.co.uk/exolux-bright-wing-mother-clone-lights.html) are ideal for propagation and seedlings - they run cool and are pretty good for small plants. Light penetration is an issue for taller plants.
CFL - These sort of lights (http://www.growell.co.uk/eco-lights-compact-fluorescent-lamps-cfl.html) are also good and have the advantage that you can plug them into a standard light socket.
I think that for seedlings and cuttings the bank of flouro tubes is favourite - I have a home made setup with a couple of tubes in the garage - works well but I only use them minimally eg to get onions going a bit early ...
Try a few four foot Growlux tubes. Works for me. Cheers, Tony.
all you need to start under-lights is frame strong enough to hold lights and not easily toppled
and two shop light that hold two 4 ft florescent bulbs each.
items needed.
1 frame
two 4ft shop lights
4 4ft florescent bulbs
it's not rocket science
the cheap bulbs work just as well as expensive ones
I use a clothes rail to hang my grow light from. It's just the right height.
Thanks, that's really helpful. With regards the weed industry, that explains why one poster elsewhere suggested LEDs "better" as police helicopter heat-seeking wouldn't be as big an issue as if using halides!