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.
There is a saying in German. Its ambiguity could be a perfect match for your article. In the original, it reads as follows:
“Jetzt geht auch mir ein Licht auf”.
Translated word for word, it sounds like this:
“Now a light is dawning on me too.”
But it means something very simple:
“Even I've got that.”
Oh nice, pretty sure a lot of things will be drawn to the lights. We have asian lady beetles so curious to see if they are attracted to them.
Very great activity my brother. I hope you always have a fun and uplifting day👍💪
Thanks much, hope you do too.
It's pretty crazy how LED lighting has changed the way we do a lot of things. The versatility is just amazing with them. It's crazy to think they have been around for decades, but it's just recently that they have really become affordable and flexible. That makes sense about the pink hue of the light. Very cool! I hope they work out well for you.
So true, I have mostly been old school in my light usage. Using florescent tubes and MH/HPS bulbs for my cannabis plants. Back when I started growing, there was no point buying them as they were so expensive. But now the price has dropped quite a bit on them, so its worth it I think.
thanks, hopefully they do work well.
Te veo activo @solominer, instalando tecnología de punta y luces LED, tienes buen espacio para la germinación de las plantas 🌱. Muy bueno lo que estás creando bro. Saludos desde cuba 🇨🇺😉🌵
Yep, got a good deal on them so I figured it would be the perfect time to upgrade.
many thanks.
You are very talented, my friend. You know a lot, you learn new things.
Thanks very much
Your upgrading process is a good choice. Hope it gives you the results you expect.
I think so too, hopefully they will.
Cool setup man. I think you are gonna like the LEDS.
Thanks much, yeah should be interesting to see how they work out.
I use a hydroponic LED kit to start my tomatoes from seeds every spring. Much smaller than your setup naturally 😀
Oh nice, that is a cool looking setup. Honestly all you need to start little seedlings. I plan on starting many trays so I need lots of lights.
When I saw the frame work for this I honestly thought it was going to be for crypto mining. but now you're mining plants!!! Pretty epic setup you have going on !
Haha maybe one day I will get a ASIC, but for now I will focus on plants.. lol
thanks a lot
LED lights look new
Yep they are brand new
what country are you from
I really think led lights was so good in a house
Yeah they are quite nice.. low power and do not heat up much.
It's amazing how LED lights change the atmosphere of a room to be more beautiful,your work always makes me wonder,to replace regular lights with LED lights how much it costs you,estimate I may have to shred my savings 😄😄
Amazing job my friend 👍
Yeah they are nice, but recently their price has become quite comparable to the old school lighting methods.
thanks much
Glad that you really find the good led light as of this moment.😊
Ah thanks much
You're welcome. 😊😊
You will love the LED lights for growing seedlings. I have had mine for three years now and love them. The shop lights I previously had were sufficient but I can see the difference. You will be so happy with your investment.
Looking forward to growing many things under them. Oh good well I think I am on the right track to replacing them with something better.
You will love the LED Plant spectrum.
The lamp seems to be energy efficient, right?
Yeah I think they are
I think you did the right thing by changing into Led lights, very soon I'm sure you would see great results.
Nice setup!
I've started propagating my indoor plants this year, but in the darker days were in right now I might need some grow lights too.
Inspiring!
!PIZZA
Thought this was a hatching unit for chicks till I saw the plants. Guess plants need photosynthesis to grow fresh. Do you have a hatching unit though?
This is a very beautiful arrangement for your seedlings and I also think using LED lights is very appropriate.
Yup, totally hated dealing with those old tubes - what a pain!!! Nice upgrade though - I'm sure your power consumption should drop noticeably!!!
Wow
You are very creative and resourceful @solominer I also like to use LED lights because they consume less energy than the other ones.