I made a non-hydroponic grow system out of a
$50 wire shelving unit and 2 fluorescent light fixtures - for two growing shelves. Each fixture has four
T-5 6500 K bulbs - which are 24-Watt each. Be aware that not all 24”/24 watt fluorescent tubes are interchangeable with all fixtures. The
T-5s have a different diameter than the standard 24” grow-light fluorescent tubes I buy for my old grow-light fixture.
The shelf unit I used has shelves that are 36” W x 14” D. I bought one that was 54” tall, but wish I’d gotten one that is 72” tall instead. This would allow me to hang the top light from the top shelf, and I could examine the two top shelves without bending over (my back hurts). I use the lower shelves for storing supplies.
The 2 foot wide (by about 14" deep) 4 tube fluorescent fixtures have T-5 bulbs and currently cost
$72 each.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/ViaVolt-...-V24/202985194
You can definitely buy suitable fixtures for less than that. My set-up is in the living room and I wanted it to look a little classier than the standard white metal, so I was willing to pay more.
I purchased two separate four-fluorescent-tube fixtures, that use
T-5 bulbs, because it’s more efficient for growing plants with higher-light requirements - but lettuce and seed germination have lower light requirements. You might be able to get away with using 2-tube fixtures, but if you’re buying something new, I suggest finding something with 4 tubes because each tube’s light has a limited optimal spread, so having 4 of them fills in the weaker spots. Really you could probably just use any standard 4 tube fixtures, though I would be sure to choose a size that designated "grow-lights" are made for. Just
be aware that all 24” or 48” tubes aren’t the same diameter -
they come in different diameters with different pins on the ends, so are not always interchangeable. Know which size you intend to use before buying anything and make sure "grow-lights" are made in the same size as the fixture you choose.
Read about Fluorescent lamps sizes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent-lamp_formats
NOTE:
The fluorescent tubes that came with my 4 tube fixture are so strong, they can bake and kill the seeds before they have a chance to sprout! This happened when I had the lights a good 12” away from the soil - so don’t use this kind for germinating seeds - unless maybe you have the lights
very far from the seedlings and you better monitor things. (Same problem with very young seedlings and possibly young lettuce?)
I germinate seeds under a 2 tube fluorescent "grow-light" stand I bought over 20 years ago. When they get a little bigger, I move them under the stronger lights - at first only for a short time - they need to acclimate.
Be aware, even fluorescent lights produce some heat and can cook younger, more sensitive plants.
I attach the lights with S-hooks and attach each hook to one link of a 9” length of metal chain (one length of chain attaches to right end of the fixture, the other to the left end.) This gives me the option of moving the hooks to a different link - allowing me to raise or lower the fixtures a bit when I need to. (Otherwise, you’d have to disassemble the whole thing and move the shelves the lights are attached to.)
Of course, both the shelves and fluorescent light fixtures come in 4 foot lengths, and there are newer kinds of grow lights now. This could probably be adapted for hydroponics. I know a guy who makes a lot of hydroponic stuff using plastic plumbing pipe and tubing and buckets, but I have not looked into hydroponics much myself.
Originally Posted by tommyrp12
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