grow rack question

BigVanVader · January 5, 2016

So I decided to finally get a real grow rack set up this year. I got T8 fixtures. My question is can I have a gap in the middle? I think it's probably fine but wanted to make sure. I been using huge 10ft warehouse lights for years, they were 4 foot wide so 2 lights covered a flat easily. Here are pics.

Worth1 · January 5, 2016

Used to do it with only two fixtures with T 12's four lights all together just like that.

Worth

ChiliPeppa · January 5, 2016

I have two racks just like that. when i first started i used two lamps but also worried about the gap so bought a third on for each level. seedlings grew better with less leggy-ness in my observation.

Cole_Robbie · January 5, 2016

The plants on the outside will just lean a little toward the light. It's not a big deal.

Fusion_power · January 5, 2016

Add a third light fixture to provide 6 bulbs to increase growth of the plants, reduce the number of leggy seedlings, and reduce problems with soil fungi. I tried growing seedlings with 2 bulbs, 4 bulbs, 6 bulbs, and 8 bulbs. There are problems with 2 and 4 while 8 does not gain any significant benefit. I now use 6 bulbs over each group of trays in my light stand.

Gardeneer · January 5, 2016

It depend on how you place the trays/plants under the light. For example, you can have separate arrangement under each fixture. In this case the spacing does not make a difference.
But if you want a continuous shared coverage then the gap can be discussed.

I use 2 sometimes 3 sets of T8 . As the plants grow , I adjust each one set separately to accommodate plants of different height ( short peppers, tall tomatoes ) underneath.
In my arrangement plants are stationary (on the floor) and the light get adjusted.
The of course this process is just about 6 weeks.

Gardeneer

BigVanVader · January 5, 2016

Thanks all. I already added a 3rd in the middle because I want full coverage for 4 flats of seedlings per rack, and well I trust Fusion. I would rather not take chances as I plan on really going all out on selling plants at the Farmers market this year.

Gardeneer · January 7, 2016

BVV, That is good .
When Do you get started sowing ?
I have done gardening in North Atlanta. I used to plant out late March, early April. But then I was pushing the envelope b/c our LFD was around April 7. I think SC has a similar climate to Atlanta. I remember one year we had a freeze on April 12. But I saved all my tomatoes,, potatoes..
Good luck with your new grow system.

Gardeneer.

BigVanVader · January 7, 2016

Well I want to start my Carolina Reapers and other superhots soon to make sure they produce well before seasons end. But tomatoes I plan start around mid Feb or so. It will depend on when others at the market plan to start selling them TBH. My gut feeling about the weather plays a role too but who knows what the weather will do nowadays. I have had tomatoes in the ground in March before and they were fine, but I have lost them after April 15th as well, so its always a roll of the dice.

Ricky Shaw · January 7, 2016

And what Fusion's saying goes hand in hand with the sweet spot in efficiency of 3000 to 5000 lumens per square foot I keep reading about.

greenthumbomaha · January 7, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fusion_power

Add a third light fixture to provide 6 bulbs to increase growth of the plants, reduce the number of leggy seedlings, and reduce problems with soil fungi. I tried growing seedlings with 2 bulbs, 4 bulbs, 6 bulbs, and 8 bulbs. There are problems with 2 and 4 while 8 does not gain any significant benefit. I now use 6 bulbs over each group of trays in my light stand.

You have brought up an interesting point. Could you please explain the soil fungi connection to light. I must have missed this important detail. Thank you .

- Lisa

Worth1 · January 7, 2016

When I had my tube type lights I always wanted another set so I would have six lights but never did it.
One of the reasons was I knew the CFL lights were coming out and wanted to try them.
I have looked on line for pictures and haven't found a set up like mine at all.
The only other person I know who has something like mine is the guy that works at Home Depot who is a retired electrician.
He built a little indoor garden for his aging father.

The advantage is I can up the wattage, with tube lights you are restricted.
The disadvantage is you will have to build it.

Worth

BigVanVader · January 7, 2016

Do you have pics of your setup on here somewhere Worth?

Worth1 · January 7, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Do you have pics of your setup on here somewhere Worth?

Yes I do.
A whole thread plus the thread about my tomatoes and peppers.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=38988

Gardeneer · January 7, 2016

Worth, what is the wattage of those CFL and their Kelvin rating ?

Gardeneer

January 5, 2016	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Used to do it with only two fixtures with T 12's four lights all together just like that. Worth

January 5, 2016	#3
ChiliPeppa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mojave Desert - California Posts: 368	I have two racks just like that. when i first started i used two lamps but also worried about the gap so bought a third on for each level. seedlings grew better with less leggy-ness in my observation.

January 5, 2016	#4
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	The plants on the outside will just lean a little toward the light. It's not a big deal.

January 5, 2016	#5
Fusion_power Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,250	Add a third light fixture to provide 6 bulbs to increase growth of the plants, reduce the number of leggy seedlings, and reduce problems with soil fungi. I tried growing seedlings with 2 bulbs, 4 bulbs, 6 bulbs, and 8 bulbs. There are problems with 2 and 4 while 8 does not gain any significant benefit. I now use 6 bulbs over each group of trays in my light stand.

January 5, 2016	#6
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,915	It depend on how you place the trays/plants under the light. For example, you can have separate arrangement under each fixture. In this case the spacing does not make a difference. But if you want a continuous shared coverage then the gap can be discussed. I use 2 sometimes 3 sets of T8 . As the plants grow , I adjust each one set separately to accommodate plants of different height ( short peppers, tall tomatoes ) underneath. In my arrangement plants are stationary (on the floor) and the light get adjusted. The of course this process is just about 6 weeks. Gardeneer

January 5, 2016	#7
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Thanks all. I already added a 3rd in the middle because I want full coverage for 4 flats of seedlings per rack, and well I trust Fusion. I would rather not take chances as I plan on really going all out on selling plants at the Farmers market this year.

January 7, 2016	#8
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,915	BVV, That is good . When Do you get started sowing ? I have done gardening in North Atlanta. I used to plant out late March, early April. But then I was pushing the envelope b/c our LFD was around April 7. I think SC has a similar climate to Atlanta. I remember one year we had a freeze on April 12. But I saved all my tomatoes,, potatoes.. Good luck with your new grow system. Gardeneer.

January 7, 2016	#10
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	And what Fusion's saying goes hand in hand with the sweet spot in efficiency of 3000 to 5000 lumens per square foot I keep reading about.