Recommendations on a set-up

[theflyingkitty]

I need a very low-budget set up before it starts getting to cold. Space in the house is limited so a longer shelf that won't stick out from the wall too much would be optimal. I could do a multi-shelf unit as well, as long as it doesn't stick out from the wall much, as prev. stated.

Mainly, do any of you have light/shelf combos like this? I can prob fig out trays if need be. Just not sure what sort of lighting of shelves to look for.

All help is appreciated, thanks!

Oh, I could also do something a bit wider and less long if it'd fit in the corner tidy like. It's a small room and roomate wants to put a gaming table in the middle of it.

[Paphluvr]

If you have any hygroponics stores near you they might have something that would fit the bill. Otherwise, I've used plastic storage racks with strip lights hanging from the bottom of the shelves with success. This is probably a cheaper alternative than the grow racks mentioned above. I assume you have no natural light exposure?

[theflyingkitty]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

If you have any hygroponics stores near you they might have something that would fit the bill. Otherwise, I've used plastic storage racks with strip lights hanging from the bottom of the shelves with success. This is probably a cheaper alternative than the grow racks mentioned above. I assume you have no natural light exposure?

They spend the summers outside but there's no good source of light indoors. The last two winters I've kept them by the patio door but will soon be putting up better shades. Recently discovered the neighbors can see inside the house at night. Also the prev set up with 2 heatlamps w/ grow bulbs in them's been JUST enough to get most of them to survive, with fighting all winter to keep them ok. Don't wanna fight them this year... as much.

[estación seca]

Costco sells a heavy-duty chromed wire shelving set that can be used with rolling casters or without. The unit is just under 48 inches wide and 18 inches deep. It can be assembled into one unit 77 inches high (shorter without the casters) or two half-height units. It comes with five shelves that can be installed at any height desired, in 1 inch increments. It is not necessary to install all the shelves. The one in the stores here is not in their online catalog, but looks something like this one, except it is chrome and it is less expensive at the store:

Wire Shelving Unit

Standard 2-tube, 4 foot long fluorescent shop lights can be hung under each shelf with a wire hook. There is room for 2 x 2-light fixtures under each shelf. They stick out a little at each side. You would probably not use all five shelves, because there isn't much room under each bank of lights at this spacing. I use this setup for sprouting cactus seedlings. Measure things like largest plant height in pot and light fixture depth with bulbs, and calculate spacing, before setting up the shelves because they are cumbersome to change once assembled.

The lights can be plugged into a power strip, which can be plugged into a heavy-duty appliance timer. You need a heavy-duty timer, not a lamp timer, because it will control more current than a single light bulb. There is a limit on how many sets of lights you can plug into one electrical socket, so you have to check the circuit breaker for that plug before connecting too many lights.

Standard 40 Watt 6500K light color fluorescent tubes are satisfactory. People have strong opinions about exactly which kind of lights to use. Other kinds of lights may use less electricity or cost less per light output, but these are a lot lower initial cost if you are on a budget.

[jason45244]

I use of those four shelf greenhouses with the cover and two of the shelves removed. I have a good east facing sliding glass door so for the lighting I can't recommend anything. The greenhouses you can pick up anywhere for around $20.

[theflyingkitty]

This is def. the info I'm looking for. Was at Lowes earlier today poking around but couldn't find anyone to help and was running on 4 hours of sleep before I had went to work.

Pretty sure Lowes has those shelves according to their website. And will be adding plastic trays w/ pull out trays so I can water in the kitchen sink before returning back to the lights. Is there any sort of fixture you'd recommend other than perhaps a hood style as to not blind my roommate?

---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------

And cost less per light output might be worth the extra money. I won't get as much grief over utility bills.

[estación seca]

You might find this thread interesting:

T8-LED info

Blind your roommate... I didn't have to deal with that, but I think you could get some blackout fabric intended for lining drapes at a fabric store, and hang that down the side facing the room. I wouldn't enclose the whole shebang; it might get too hot inside.

[wintergirl]

I bought these shelves from Amazon. They give you rollers you can use or not. You can wheel the whole thing to the sink or move to clean under. $70 free ship. I also bought small T6 lights with fixture for until $20 at Walmart and hung under the shelves.

Amazon.com - Seville Classics 4 Shelf, 14-Inch by 36-Inch by 54-Inch Shelving System with Wheels - Amazon Wire Shelves

[theflyingkitty]

Found a 3' shelf at Lowes that will work, but having issues with finding 3' or abouts shop lights. Can only find the strip ones. I'd really like to be able to hang the lights via chain. Can strip lights be safetly modified for this (cheaply)?

[Leafmite]

There are many ways you can grow your plants indoors cheaply. Because I prefer to spend the money on the plants, I try to keep costs down in other ways. So....
I bought what wintergirl has for shelving and took the plunge and bought T5HO four foot, four light lamps, all off of Amazon. I don't have the shelving unit near a window (I have other plants taking that space) so the plants rely entirely on the lights. Because the lights were so bright I would get headaches, I had to hang an old sheet over the unit. To line the shelves, I bought a clear plastic table cloth ($5), cut it in three and put this over the shelves. Then I cut cardboard boxes and put this over the plastic to help absorb any water. I used S-hooks (very cheap) to attach the lamps onto the shelves. After the investment in the shelves and lights, I didn't feel like spending too much more money on the set up.
But, then, I decided to try gardenias again....
The cheapest set up:
My second set up involves a cheap clothing 'rack' ($20) found at Walmart and a second-hand Sunblazer two foot, two light lamp. ($25) I used some cord I had from old gift bags and some hooks to attach the lights to the rack. These plants sit on the floor, with a section of clear plastic table cloth underneath them.