Use sunbed to grow plants???

[Katog]

What do you think about using an old woodsided sunbed with all of the light tubes. Possibly from the 1980's to grow plants???

[solway cropper]

I would imagine the UV would be far too strong. Think of the effect on human skin after, say. 24 hours on a sunbed!!

[woody21]

If You change the bulbs you can make use of it yes, the uv bulbs wont do nice things to the plants as well as there being very little light in the colour spectrum plants can use.

Have a look at the bulbs and they will have size, type and wattage on them. just replace them for the same spec, look for cool white (6600K (kelvin colour) tubes for seedlings and young plants.
Tubes come in different diameters too so make sure you get the right ones, the thicker ones are T8 and the ones you will want if its a fitting from the 80's. Newer T5 bulbs are much thinner.

Could start quite a few early chilli plants under that sunbed.

[alldigging]

Look up grow lamps - the energy use is probably not going to make it economical on .. erm.. traditional crops.

[woody21]

Look up grow lamps - the energy use is probably not going to make it economical on .. erm.. traditional crops.

For starting just a few plants its much more economical than heating a greenhouse and plants will be healthy and more compact having more light. nothing worse than straggly leggy plants.

200 watts of light costs about £11 a month to run for 14 hours a day, but if you use sunny windows during the day you can cut the lighting costs a lot. For me its worth the investment for a chance of a bumper crop of chillis with what i spend on chilli peppers and sauces.
its nice to have a few early tomato plants with ripe fruits months before the neighbours too

with no winter crops on the go it gives me something to play with...... in the house where its nice and warm.!

[Nicos]

First thought?????

A 30 yr old electrical applience??????....best to check your house insurance re fire cover!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I'd be more for thinking about the Life Insurance policies. These lamps were not designed for use in areas where there is moisture so don't be stupid enough to use them in such an environment.

[veggiechicken]

Nor are they intended to be turned on for extended periods. Cover it with plastic sheeting and turn it into a cold frame!

[arpoet]

Beware... the plants have to be 18 year old to use a sunbed, or you, as the owner, could be in trouble...

[Katog]

thanks - another freecycly item i don't need - good