Indoor gardening

[Jared77]

JackB are you doing the T5s inside? Wondering about how much heat they produce.

 

[jackb]

JackB are you doing the T5s inside? Wondering about how much heat they produce.

I use small 24" 24 watt T5, 6500k lights for seed starting. They will do 2 dozen seedlings comfortably. For growing, I recently switched from T5s to LEDs. Not that the T5s did not go a great job, but the tubes need to be replaced every two years or so. LEDs cost more initially, but should last 12 years. I grow 365 days a year, so it made sense to me to switch. The T5s did not produce a lot of heat; as a matter of fact, in my cool basement, inside the grow chamber, they kept the temperature just perfect. Here is a photo of them from last year. I gave the fixture to a friend yesterday, who will put it to good use in his basement growing lettuce hydroponically.

jack b

 

[897tgigvib]

That is awesome Jack!!!

I need to just make 2 shelves like that for seedlings...

 

[jackb]

That is awesome Jack!!!

I need to just make 2 shelves like that for seedlings...

Thanks Marshall. My wife was after me for years to enclose my growing area, and I wish I did it sooner. It took me two days to build it, but I am SO glad I did. The light bounces around and is reflected back and the heat from the lights keeps the temperature perfect. There is a small opening with a fan for ventilation, and inexpensive timers control everything. The panel on the right is counter balanced for easy removal and harvesting, with storage under the growing surface. I get to just sit around and read.

Jack B.

 

[Jared77]

That is SLICK!!!! I'm impressed!

I've seen grow chambers set ups like that because Michigan recently passed a medical marijuana law so there are a number of hydroponic suppliers setting up shop so people can sell their "crop" to the local distribution centers.

Anyway those set ups all had metal halide bulbs and those are a HUGE power drain. Buddy of mine has one on his reef aquarium. Super intense lighting but you can see the meter spinning like a top with the power it pulls. I use LEDs on my aquariums where I'm growing aquatic plants but I guess it never crossed my mind to do LEDs with a set up like that.

Are you doing hydroponics inside the grow chamber? I'm assuming your doing hand pollinating? Regardless that is really cool. I need to work some OT so I can get set up like that.

 

[jackb]

Yes, I only grow hydroponically indoors and I only use LEDs for growing. Nothing that I grow needs hand pollinating. The cucumbers are greenhouse varieties and peppers and tomatoes are self fertile.

 

[Jared77]

Self fertile, never would have thought that was an option. Im going to have to seriously look into this. Thank you

 

[jackb]

To pollinate tomatoes and peppers you only have to tap the flower when it is open to pollinate them.

 

[Jared77]

Really.....geez I'm sure once I get this project off the ground I'm going to be kicking myself for not doing it sooner

 

[jackb]

Here is the grow chamber when I finished installing the LEDs. The small frame on the left is for one of the T5 lights that I use for seed starting. All systems have been planted now and it is fully operational.

jack b