Mr. Leafy, about those lights...

[dmi188]

I am growing my seedlings under plant/aquarium lights. I have seen mention here of other types of lights. Can you give me some detail? I am really loving this seed growing, talk of hybridizing. It is not a passing fad for me. When do I need better lights? What do the higher intensity lights do? Where do you buy them?

[leafmould]

Hi why don't you describe your current set-up for us and we'll go from there

[dmi188]

I have a wire bakers shelf. Each shelf has 2 shop lights (2 bulbs each, 40 watt plant/aquarium bulbs.) They run nearly 24/7.

[leafmould]

how deep are your shelves ?

[dmi188]

About 18" deep...adjustable height.

[leafmould]

Hi your setup sounds fine to me. If you really wanted to up grade, you could try squeezing one more double fixture in there, for atotal of six @ 48"' some shop fixtures will let you fit three in that space. Not all wide spectrum bulbs are the same, I like a phillips Grolux. One actinic blue tube in the middle works wonders, but they are expensive.
Metal Halide takes a serious comitment, I am using a bulb that has the highest blue range of any known bulb, the blue end of the spectrum is best for vegetative growth.
This bulb is rated for 8000 hrs and costs $260.00
That means a new bulb every year
Most people are happy with a set up like yours
Do you still want to hear more about M.H. ?

[dmi188]

Yes, please. I would like to know what the real differences are. Where do you get MH? Thanks for your time and patience with me!

[thy]

A Phillips Grolux is what I used last year and this, but I have only one light... that one, special for green plants, but for me the growt (sp) of the plant have been way slower than with the daylight bulb I used to use... does it need more lights or ....?
Please

[leafmould]

I haven't forgotten you, I'm putting something together