Idiots guide to grow lights

Here's an example of a DIY grow light using LED bulbs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnIzB_8knLU

Hello TMTT

Watched this yesterday, I'm tempted!

One question for you, I see you can buy growlight tents or make your own setup, I'll be interested in what you did?

Before the new grow light I was hanging the fluorescents from chains hooked onto a wooden frame made out of old bed slats and using walls of foil stuck to cardboard It worked fine, yes there was a bit of light leakage but the plants didn't care.

The new light is much more intense and has to be hung higher above the plant canopy (12 to 18 inches as opposed to 4 to 6 inches for the fluorescents) so I needed something taller. I was initially going to build a grow tent/box out of wood/PVC pipe and mylar emergency blankets but COVID would've made getting the materials a faff and I don't think it would've ended up much cheaper than buying a tent.

You don't absolutely need a grow tent, reflective walls will do nicely. I think in that video he is using polystyrene insulating board covered with mylar. Matt white paint is also very reflective. Then you just need something to hang the light from.

Before the new grow light I was hanging the fluorescents from chains hooked onto a wooden frame made out of old bed slats and using walls of foil stuck to cardboard It worked fine, yes there was a bit of light leakage but the plants didn't care.

The new light is much more intense and has to be hung higher above the plant canopy (12 to 18 inches as opposed to 4 to 6 inches for the fluorescents) so I needed something taller. I was initially going to build a grow tent/box out of wood/PVC pipe and mylar emergency blankets but COVID would've made getting the materials a faff and I don't think it would've ended up much cheaper than buying a tent.

You don't absolutely need a grow tent, reflective walls will do nicely. I think in that video he is using polystyrene insulating board covered with mylar. Matt white paint is also very reflective. Then you just need something to hang the light from.

Thanks again TMTT,

Quickly goes away to google mylar

I have set up a growing area under a bench in the hut, it is made with silver coated poly sheeting lining the top and back and lit with 2 kitchen cabinet lights, I have just fitted a 3ft. tube heater as well, so far I have some lettuce from seed and some of my fuchsia plants are beginning to come into leaf, I will keep you updated with how it goes

I have set up a growing area under a bench in the hut, it is made with silver coated poly sheeting lining the top and back and lit with 2 kitchen cabinet lights, I have just fitted a 3ft. tube heater as well, so far I have some lettuce from seed and some of my fuchsia plants are beginning to come into leaf, I will keep you updated with how it goes

Do you have a picture of the setup Spec?

    A simple system that at the moment look's like it's working

A simple system that at the moment look's like it's working

Thanks Spec looking good.

I have more bother posting photos than setting up the lights, I am trying to let you see how the system is set up, photography like computers is not among my best attributes  
   

After much dithering and procrastinating as to whether to invest in a pre made growlight thingy I've bought something.  I looked at building something myself but space, ability and where was a problem.  I looked at a ready made growlight/propagator system the Vitopod but it was £150+, then a Garland Growlight Garden at around £80. For my first year sowing really early and not knowing whether I will do so again I thought to find a less expensive alternative.  So I bought a cheap  LED light cluster that will clip on a desk in the spare room.  Seedlings seem to like it so far, but I'm not expecting too much for £17.

       

After much dithering and procrastinating as to whether to invest in a pre made growlight thingy I've bought something.  I looked at building something myself but space, ability and where was a problem.  I looked at a ready made growlight/propagator system the Vitopod but it was £150+, then a Garland Growlight Garden at around £80. For my first year sowing really early and not knowing whether I will do so again I thought to find a less expensive alternative.  So I bought a cheap  LED light cluster that will clip on a desk in the spare room.  Seedlings seem to like it so far, but I'm not expecting too much for £17.

Looking good Jen, I like the background beers

I'm hoping to set mine up at the weekend so will post pictures then.

How long do you intend to leave the lights on for?