When I built out my seed starting area I used what I had on hand. Mostly shop lights with florescent tubes inside. They work okay, but due to the low profile of the shelves I am working with I worry plants may get too close to the lights eventually. So I replaced two of the three rows on the shelves with LED grow lights.
I bought two kits from Barrina LED during their black friday week sale. One has a switch on the side and the other does not. Figure I would try out both and then decide which one I like more when it comes to the last shelf to be replaced with LEDs.
Before I started, I got a picture of how it was before. Using pullies and a compact grow light. I can raise them but only so much. Soon I will be repotting my pine seedlings and I would expect them to grow a lot.
They worked great but as I start growing larger plants I need a way to stop light burn.
Bought some LED strip lights, but they were no where close enough in light output to work. They only look cool.
But these lights are meant for growing, they a pinkish spectrum they are different from the more blue spectrum I am used to with florescents and metal halide bulbs.
These LED lights are connected in a string, like christmas lights.
Power wires are included and plug right in.
I drill holes into the shelving, and run some twistable wire ties.
Should hold well I think, they are very light.
With the lights on we can really see the color now.
Damn one of of them is not working.. will need to contact the manufacturer about it.
It is kind of dusty so I am wearing one of my old respirators.
Opening the second kit now the first kit is installed I check out the difference between the kits.
They are more of a square design, the others were more round and include reflectors I have yet to install yet.
Since I am attaching them using these ties the reflectors do not fit well. I would need to redo them, but may be worth it eventually.
Got the second kit up and installed.. time to power it on.
Now both the top and bottom shelves have LED light.
I put the pine seedlings under the light, and propped them up to get them a little closer.
Now my lights are in a fixed position, I will need to raise the plants to get them close to the light.
Hopefully the pine seedlings like their new LED lights.
Still have two lights from the kit, and a switch to go with them, will probably mount them under one shelf for extra light. So there would be four LEDs instead of one.. for plants that want a lot of light.
Gonna have to start throwing out these old tube lights soon, such a pain in the ass moving without them breaking though.