this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2025
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Gardening

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Materials:

  • 10x 2.4m ( 8ft ) 2x4s
  • 1x OSB sheet 240x120cm ( 8x4 ft )
  • 12x two led light fixtures for 120cm (4ft) LEDs, 24 cool daylight 18W led lights
  • 3x double light switches - one per shelf, half of each switch controlling every other light fixture
  • Some screws, wiring, wagos
  • Bonus: tapo p110 or other smart plug to turn the lights on/off on schedule

Total cost under $200

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

What lights are you using? I have a set of lights but they seem to produce way more heat than usable light? If I put the lights closer, they burn the seedlings, if I move them too far away, the seedlings get leggy.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Nothing fancy - T8 LED tubes, cool daylight (6500K). IIRC some are Philips corepro 865, some will be Osram equivalent - I used whatever I had left from installing new lights in garage. Brands you recognize, but their value product lines.

Are those as good as "real" grow lights? Hell no. Do they get me 80% there for 20-30% of the price? They sure do!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

I certainly don't have "grow lights" which is why I think I'm having the heat issue. I am certainly in the camp of getting 80% there for a fraction of the price!

Thanks for the reply!