Lighting Options for Indoor Growers

Lighting Options for Indoor Growers

by Sherri Arnaiz

I set out to build a light cart that would be affordable and flexible for a small indoor area. Since I am an apartment dweller, I have to fit my collection in a small space. The ready made carts with lights started around $250+ and were short so my goal was to build a taller set up for less than the ready mades. The tall carts started around $200 without fixtures. With fixtures would have brought the total to $500+.

I started with chrome wire shelves I found on Craigslist which I managed to buy for $30. They run anywhere new from $99 at Home Depot or Target to $250+ for the larger, heavy duty versions. I bought a used heavy duty version 72"x18"x48" and then added caster wheels to enable me to move it easily. I can set any shelf height which is a real plus since I have both tall plants and small. I can have 3 or 4 shelves. I am using two for plants and one for storage. Total for my shelf and casters $64.

Choosing the lighting was tougher as there are so many options, but most are very pricey. I wanted to go with the T5 systems for the low profile, low energy, low heat, and low hum, but couldn't afford them. Instead I went with T8 fixtures with 5000K bulbs I purchased from Lowes. I bought 4-48" 2 light T8 fixtures and bulbs for $148.

Next was the quest for the trays. What an adventure! Trying to find something that would hold the most plants, have a deep enough sides, plus fit my shelves was tough. I ended up going with boot trays and grids sold by Gardner's' Supply. They fit my shelves the best and looked to be rugged enough to last. I found food trays, pet carrier trays and plant trays. Trays meant for other uses tended to be less expensive than those specifically for plants. You could easily drill a drain hole in many of them if you wanted. The boot trays came to $58.

Total for my set up-- $280 including a surge protector for the lights. It was a snap to set up. It just took a long time to reasearch the options available and find the right combination of elements at the right price. The photo below shows the cart without plants so you can see the elements that went into the cart.

DIY light cart for orchids

DIY light cart close up view of fixtures        DIY light cart close up of surge protector

I gathered the following links while researching my options for building this portable light cart. Keep in mind the dimensions when choosing your items. Choose standard dimensions and be sure to measure inside when the shelving is assembled as you may lose up to 1 or more inches from stated dimensions. I was surprised that the interior measurement of my shelves were quite different. Then I had to find lighting and trays to fit that smaller dimension. (I even had to return some lighting I purchased that didn't fit before I realized it was so much smaller) Stated dimensions are usually exterior dimensions. Don't presume the interior dimensions are the same as exterior. It's best if you can actually measure an assembled shelf unit. Ask for all dimensions or an exploded diagram that will give you a good idea of what to expect if you are buying items online.

Lighting:

Shelving:



Ready Made Carts:

Trays:

Here are two additional light setups from our members:

Christopher Hewitt spent about $160.00 on materials and a day of labor building this light box. It has 6 fluorescent tubes mounted inside. It also has a timer and an air exchange system. The whole interior is epoxied so it holds water. The front doors are glass and slide on tracks. The inside dimensions are 5' wide, 2.5' deep and 18" tall. He uses it for germinating seeds and sometimes for delicate seedlings. It weighs 200 lbs.

DIY Light Box for Germination

 

Nick Cirillo uses a commercial stand in a window.  The second tier had 2 simple fluorescent lights which he replaced with 4 T5 lamps. The right side is blocked to reduce intensity for plants that need less light.

Light Bench

Light Bench Close Up

 

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