grow lamps

[splatcat]

hi

I have a question about a grow lamp, i am struggling to allow my seeds togrow, with lack of a decent windowsill...

Where could i purchase a fairly cheap growlight? I have thought of using an empty fish tank, putting the plants inside, and using the light, would this have the same effect?

thanks

[Kristen]

Where could i purchase a fairly cheap growlight?

Not sure that "Cheap" appears in the growlamp vocabulary

I got mine from 3C Hydroponics. A fluorescent "tube" type is fine for seedlings, and cheaper than a lamp such as Metal Halide (and much cheaper to run too), but it needs to be very close to the seedlings - and inch or two - which can be quite difficult to organise.

We have economy-7 so I run mind during the night (and the plants get daylight too, on days when we have any to speak of!)

For plants on a windowsill put a reflector behind them - tinfoil taped to a cardboard box, or a mirror etc. - otherwise they will lean towards the light.

[Two_Sheds]

What are you trying to grow SplatCat?

Hardy ones don't need a growlamp, they will germinate outside. The only things I have indoors are tender flowers, chillies & tomatoes. These could be started off next month though if I didn't have windowsills

[splatcat]

ive put everything in the blowaway, i was looking for a light for toms, chillis, and cukes..

my windowsills are a waste of time, i dont have a sill that gets the sun, believe it or not, and even with a foil around them, they are still leaning (only toms there at mo)

what do you think of this? is it any good?

225 LED Red & Blue Hydroponic Lamp Plant Grow Light UK on eBay (end time 13-Apr-11 07:49:43 BST)

[Kristen]

Best place for information on Grow Lamps is the Cannabis forums - they have it down to a fine art, as you might imagine.

There is plenty of debate on them about the Pros v. Cons of LED lights, and use of Fluorescents for the "vegetative" stage of growth.

For my money I don't think LEDs produce enough light (pound-for-pound) although they are probably cheaper to run than fluorescents (which in turn are cheaper to run, and to buy!, than Metal Halide or Sodium)

A modest increase in running cost is not an issue if you will only be using them a couple of months a year.

The cost per Watt running for, say, 9 hours a day is about 5p / month - e.g. 100 Watts = £5 / month