DIY LED Grow Rack Update & Grow Lights vs Shop Lights
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- čas přidán 15. 04. 2020
- This is a followup video to show how well my DIY LED grid rack is working after two months. I’m also testing out professional LED grow lights to see how they compare to the Inexpensive LED shop lights I’m using.
To see exactly how I built this rack see my LED Grow Rack Build video: • How to Build an LED Gr...
MY FAVORITE SEED STARTING SUPPLIES: glnk.io/4x6z0/urbanfarmstead
Complete Grow Rack Material List on Amazon
www.amazon.com/shop/urbanfarm...
Other Garden products I use:
www.amazon.com/shop/urbanfarm...
Some of the Seed Starting Supplies I Use:
www.amazon.com/shop/urbanfarm...
Orta terracotta seed starting pots:
ortakitchengarden.com
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I think the plants under the LED shop lights looked slightly better than the ones under the LED grow lights. I like your setup.
This is so much more helpful than all the articles I’ve found on google!!!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing this feedback 💚
So happy you did an update!
Of course! I think it’s essential with video projects like this so y’all know how well it actually works.
HolyMoly👊🏻 like the attic insulation under the heat pads.
Thanks! Works great!
It’s shocking that you haven’t blown up
Your content is A grade mate!
Thank you so much! I'm still a new channel and don't have enough time to create as much content as I'd like, and my focus is quality over quantity, so I think that will contribute to slower growth. I'm sure they'll find me in time, and regardless I'll just be here making the best videos I can to share what I'm doing and hopefully inspire and help others with their garden goals. Thank you for your support!
Soon mate soon!
@@urbanfarmstead you need call-to-action sir, sometimes people won't subscribe or like if you didn't say it.
Kevin thank you for sharing that advice! Being new to this I’m open to all the advice!
Thanks Kevin!
Thank you very much for doing this experiment and showing the results. You really helped me out in deciding which way to go with the shop lights vs grow lights. This has helped a lot of people. Take care and be safe. A new subscriber from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Excellent! I've been growing under fluorescent lights for over 50 years and have realized it's time to switch over to LED bulbs. My seedlings have been so leggy and no matter how much I lowered the bulbs they were still leggy - and furthermore, the leaves burned! I'm excited about moving into the 21st century of underlight growing without it costing an arm and a leg. Hoping in your other video you will show how you suspended the lights from the stand. (I'm amazed at how non-leggy the plants are considering how high the lights are over the plants. Thanks!
Isabel Cutler thank you! I’m in love with this setup! Yes, in my other video I show exactly how I set it up
Kyle.. I love all your videos.. they are right to the point. all your videos are interesting super useful items for a home gardening. I will use this LED seedling approach for next winter. Looking forward to more and more videos from you...
Thank you Gopal! I really appreciate your feedback and support! As you probably gathered from this video, these lights were great and I’d recommend them to anyone who wants to start seedlings indoors. There will be many many more videos to come! Happy gardening!
Another gold video. I was looking at lighting and this confirmed which direction I am going to go with.
Thank You! I'm so glad you found it helpful! As you gathered from the the video -- I would highly recommend these lights to anyone looking to start seedlings.
Video is extremely well done, start to finish. Great job.
Thank you so much
Incredible videos! Please, please keep making videos.
JustLUCKYBONES thank you so much! I definitely will.
Really appreciated the initial video and that you took the time for the detailed update. The side by side comparison of the two lighting systems and mirror plantings a huge bonus. I've been considering a smaller system, but after seeing those incredible seedlings in your vid, I think I'm going to push aside my spouses unused exercise equipment and go for the full monty.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it and appreciate you taking the time share your feedback! Best of luck with your grow rack!
I'm just about ready to order up all the gear largely based on your videos and beg forgiveness for another question: did you ever consider going with three shop lights per shelf? I see some of the microgreen folks with three bulbs and it made me wonder if I'm all in, if that might be an improvement or there if that might be just too much or diminishing returns.
@@13winds I am using three rights per shelf, and yes that’s what I recommend
Thanks so much for doing the experiment and sharing your results! and all the info shared, it's helped tremendously!!
You’re welcome! Thank you so much
I'm glad to see this. I was getting very frustrated trying to find the regular shop lights. Everyone online said you couldn't use the led shop lights. You've proved that wrong. I'm glad to know that I can go and get a few now and it will work just as well as grow lights or floresent shop lights.
VioletButterfly I’m glad you found it too, and happy I could help! I went through the same thing a few months back any it’s definitely confusing/frustrating trying to thumb through all of the conflicting information. These lights worked very well for me and I would absolutely recommend them. Thanks for your feedback!
I used sturdy bell wire for the lift system and it works great.
Looks amazing! Great job!
It really helps seed to grow on LED lights..
MORA yeah definitely
We had great luck with the same lights. We started seeds and I grew a baking tray of lettuce and arugula as well. Everything turned out great. I control the lights with a smart outlet. Set the times with my phone.
Doug Snell that’s awesome! The smart outlet is a great idea!
What a helpful video, thank you. Can’t wait to watch all the other videos.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it
Great videos. You get to the point, they're nicely done and I like the growing ideas. Most importantly you're working with minimal land like so many of us in the city. The space struggle is real. Would love to see a video about your seeds. Where you get them, how you store them, what seeds you have and why you choose them. My biggest struggle right now is how to organize my seed collection. Ideas?
Thank you so much! Yes I know what you mean, I have created a lot over vertical growing systems to maximize our space and look forward to sharing those there. I do have a video about seeds that I posted a few months ago if you want to check that out. As for seed storage- about six years ago I started using a photo storage container to store all of my seeds. It works great and there is a link to it in the description of my seed video along with other seed starting supplies that I use.
Great videos! Excited to see more!
Sebastian Waite thank you! Many more to come!
Great video, your natural at this! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! I just want everyone to get as much joy from gardening as I do, so I've had a great time sharing.
@@urbanfarmstead I know yhe feeling 🙂
Garden Love looks like you’ve got a beautiful garden! I look forward to diving into your videos
Your videos are so good bro! Please continue to post more videos!
Sacul Arts thank you! I most certainly will!
Yup as long as colour temp like you said, kelvin, and lumens are correct, the shop lights and hardware store bulbs are fine, nice setup…
Kyle, I spent big bucks last year on 2 grow lights and they were not even LED. I had a rack just like yours with 2 grow lights. I started over 100 tomato plants and a bunch of other vegetables. I am buying a second rack this year but I think I will buy LED shop lights this time. Thanks for the video.
Thank you for this! I thought it would work. Im off to get supplies!
Thanks for this helpful video.
I love your idea’s brother 😊
Dude! Those nat traps are a game changer. My hubby was ready to put me out 😜
Yeah they work well.
Great information! Thanks
wow! nice! you will do great on CZcams with all the great advice
Thank you so much!
Thanks for this comparison
You’re welcome
This was such an awesome video! In addition to it being fun to see your seedlings from last year, it was great to see how you used your system. I did virtually the same exact thing last August with all LED grow lights (no shop lights), and have had mixed success. (The lights were too hot for the brassicas, beets, and carrots I tried to start for my fall garden. I also fought aphids and fungus gnats after making the mistake of trying to overwinter my peppers inside.)
I'm also going to be starting hundreds of plants over the next 5 months for my own garden and to share, as I live in a fairly harsh climate with a short growing season, so I've been trying to research everything I can to set the system up for success. Now that you've done this once before, are you starting everything on time this year (relative to your last frost date)? Or do you think this can extend the season and allow planting of larger plants earlier in the season? I'm considering trying to start things up to a month early to try to get a reasonable harvest with things that traditionally are a struggle where I live.
Kyle, thank you for your videos. They are sooo informative! Could you please tell those of us who are new to this how do you water your seedlings? It seems it would be hard to reach all of them for watering. How often do you do it? What is the potting mix you use to start the seedlings? Thank you!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy them. I’ll have to make a seed starting video this spring. I bottom water about once a week by filling the trays
Please share what you’re starting for the fall, Kyle!
I’m convinced. It’s in my immediate future
Great! I highly recommend it
Awesome Video Going to check out how you built it
Thank you
Very informative thank you a Kyle
Thank you so much!
I really enjoy the series and appreciate your teaching style...I have quite a lot. Thanks.
Q1: You initially used three lights per shelf....Can you use two or does that diminish the light spread needed?
Q2: Outside...what is the minimum and optimum depth for soil in the garden for transplanting?
Thank you for the update. I like watching all your videos. Myself along with the others I see in the comments - can't wait to see how you mix the seed starting soil. I have struggled with getting my seedlings to germinate and I think in large part due to poor soil and lack of a set up like this. I'm excited to see I can do it cheaper than having to build a massive greenhouse. Also a question - do you think you have to have 3 lights per rack space or could you do 2 or even hang the lights vertical along the sides of the rack to reach more levels (my concern is the energy draw and cost of the lights)?
Great Information... just subscribed...thanks!
Hi Kyle, i love your content. so informative and straightforward. Can you tell me why you put 3 strips on each rack? I'll be rooting clones so I'm focused on root development . Do you think 2 of the shop lights at 20w each for each rack will suffice for my needs or should I do 3 like you? Thanks!
Awesome video. I rarely find videos like these where I don’t feel like I’m wasting my time watching! Do you happen to know if adult versions of these plants can thrive under these lights or if they are only for seedlings?
The foam insulation looks like it has a reflective layer. What about using it the put a back and two side walls with it. It would insulate the heat and keep some moisture in and reflect more light. I used aluminum foil to reflect light, but this might work better. Hmmm!
Yes I think that would work well.
Love your comparisons between cheap and expensive LEDs. Well done. Now you have used the rack for four months. How do you like its build quality so far? Any bending or dents like some Amazon reviewers complaint about?
Great video bro! Shane from Trinidad
Shinta0SaINt thanks Shane!
New Fan. Been binge watching your videos. Please keep making these. I enjoyed all the details of your vegetable garden. Have you tried the yellow pear tomato....med acid with black pepper taste.
Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos. I have tried them, they are delicious!
Hello! Thank you for your previous video and this one. These are the best DIY grow light videos on YT I have seen so far. I grew some seedlings for perennials toooooo late in the season. They look healthy but are still very, very small. In other words they will not be ready for fall planting. Do you think I could take these baby plants over the winter under such lights to plant them outside next spring? I dont need them to flower or fruit. Just survive, and grow if possible. I dont want them to die. Thank you Kevin!!
Thank you Kyle for your excellent informative videos!!! Especially the luxury pool, that one really did it for me! Do you have any info/pointers on the cabinet build that surrounds the rack?
Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying my videos. This video shows a portion of my build, but not this portion specificity. That video will be later. czcams.com/video/4d0rEkp4dD0/video.html
Like you, I've always just used window sills. Just set up some $20 LED shop lights from wal mart. Seems unnatural, but here we go!
Thanks for the great video! I'm ready to set up my racks and grow lights in the garage and I was wondering if the garage will be too cold for the seedlings?
Thanks so much!!! I have copied the exact same stuff that you showed in the last video. But feeling a bit stuck now. What kind of soil you use in the 72 cell, then what soil do you up-pot with. Also please share the fertilization techniques. Thank you !!!
Any seed starting mix will do. I use recipe 420, peat and perlite
Would it be possible to get a breakdown on your seed starting mix as well as a run through of your light, heat pad, and fan schedule?
I did this same experiment in 3rd grade science project using fluorescent shop lights and fluorescent grow lights and the shop light won.
LED shop lights are so cheap nowadays. A couple years ago i found them about ten a piece, now i found a set of eight for $70. LED shop lights bring indoor seed starting to any amateur gardener, and not just the die hards.
Yes! It’s great!
as long as the wattage is similar and the lights are at the proper kelvin, it shouldn't matter.
Yep
Another helpful video. Would these lights be good for houseplants such as philodendrons? I want to make the same setup but instead of only seedlings, I plan to put houseplants on there.
Kyle, How do you make the fans to work? It has USB port. What should we hook it up to? It would be great if you have an video to show a complete setup of indoor seeding.
HN D hi, I did make a full video showing every step to build this setup, it’s linked at the end of this video but I’ll also share the link here. This video is an update after the build. For the usb I just use the same USB adapter that my IPhone plugs into but you could also just use a power strip that has USB ports. They are available at most hardware and electric stores. Here’s the full build video:
czcams.com/video/4jNlb-qD45Q/video.html
Great video. Thanks for making those comparisons. I was curious about watering. Do you bottom water your seedlings or water from the top? Can you tell me a bit about how you water?
Thank you! Yes I bottom water in the trays. In the first 1-2 weeks I mist and cover the seedling trays
I've switched from HPS to these lights (like your setup) But ever since using the Barrina lights, ive been having a lot of Edema on my plants. Did you ever face the same problem? Any suggestion beside distancing and ventilation? tx !
everything is so perfect in your videos (which I love). But it would be great to see what you struggle with, pests, diseases, plants failing and why?
This is an excellent video. Can you tell us where you got the lights and which lights and bulbs you purchased?
How did you build the side panels for the grow rack? I’ve bought everything you linked, thank you so much for the awesome video
I’ve incorporated this into a full deal of shelving that I built out of 2x4s in my garage. The side panels are covered with dry erase white board material. I have a video showing the first phase of my shaving build that may or may not be helpful for you. I’ll post a video showing the full build that includes thus section once I’m finished.
What’s the light and fan schedule on these? Great videos. Thx‼️
Anna Liza I normally run the lights 17hrs on, 7 off and the fans run 1hr on 3 off. Thank you!
"Drools in vegetarian"....
Also, both you and your plants look very pretty and healthy. Thanks for sharing, I´ll look into shop lights to get my own indoor garden growing. :D
Thank you!
I’m curious about which types and sizes of cell packs and nursery pots to use with the 1020 trays? Also what is the optimal size container to start peppers and tomatoes so that they don’t have to be up-potted multiple times before planting out. Any thoughts or recommendations?
I use 72 cell trays, 6 packs, and 3.5" pots. A lot of that depends on preference and other factors. some people start peppers in the 72 cell trays as I do them plant them strait out from there. I normally transplant to 3.5" posts but you can definitely start them in 3.5" pots if you choose. here is a link to some of those supplies that I use:
www.amazon.com/shop/urbanfarmstead?listId=12J312T80V25Q
Love the comparison. I'm wondering if shop lights would be as good for growing veg in a greenhouse, not just to start them... (i have a winter greenhouse in the north)
Yep, they would be great for winter veggies
Hello I'm your new subscriber from India 🙏
Ananya Mitra hi! Thank you so much!
Where did you find the attic insulation? This video is super helpful. I ordered my Barinnas (trying the ones without the diffuser).
I found it at Home Depot
Good build!!
I was so impressed with it that I adopted it for my own greenhouse!
But instead of the whole paracord thing, I just made the frame for the lights like a ladder and secured it with magnets on each of the ends. You know how it is that a magnet may be hard to pull off a wall ...but you can easily slide it up and down on the wall... the ladder shape is perfect to glue the magnets in the ends of the pvc pipes and mount the whole framework on the rack. Using Nicad magnets rated for 5~10 lbs pulling force each ... it's over-built! But now I have only to slide the framework up and down on the rack ...with no cords, wires, pullies, counterweights, tracks, or any other moving parts! The way it's built the lights will only move up and down the rack and not side to side. I encourage you to try it for yourself...
Thank you! That magnet setup sounds awesome! Do you have any pictures of it that you can share so I can have a better idea of what you’re describing?
@@urbanfarmstead I used the industrial-sized 6 foot long shelves (6'x21") and centered the lights on a ladder of 1 inch PVC pipes. (on the rungs of the ladder so to speak) I also cut a 1/8 inch notch in the ends of the pipes starting at the center of the pipe diameter so that the lips of the notches rest against the inside legs (not the outside of the legs but the inside) of the shelf... this locks the PVC frame in-place so that it can only travel up and down using the shelving legs as a track. I also glued 1"x1" dowel pieces in the ends of the pipes to keep the magnets from flying down the tube as soon as any pressure is applied... and then I glued in the magnets with a hot glue gun...it won't break free! The magnets just slide on the legs of the shelving. Sorry, no pictures yet.
@@melparrishjr thank you for taking the time to reply with that detailed description! I can picture it perfectly now and it sounds like a top notch design! Infant I might just have to try that out on one of the other levels of this rack that does not have lights yet.
@@urbanfarmstead That's what I do. I picture everything in my mind... all the pieces... every part! just like in a game world but with real-world physics instead of game physics. It does away with a lot of the trial and error phase of design. Still, that being said, my math sucks and I wasted a ton of materials in the process! But It is a clean design with all the edges concealed and the magnets too.
@@melparrishjr I love it!
This is super helpful and informative, thank you! Will be designing nearly an identical system for my first grow light rack. A couple questions:
1) I've read in a couple places that LED lights are supposed to be 24"-36" above the plants, but I'm not sure if/how that matters. How far above your plants have you positioned yours?
2) Would using 2 of the strip lights per shelf be enough light for the seedlings, or is 3 the minimum?
Thanks!
Thank you so much! I keep my lights a few inches above the plants. 2 will work, but 3 is best.
@@urbanfarmstead Thank you!!
😊Great😊
Great video! What type of seed starting mix do you use?
Yes! I have the same question! What do you use in the 72 cell, then what do you uppot with. Also please share the fertilization techniques. Thank you !!!
What type of grow lights did you use also what was the wattage used for each rack
Hey Kyle, I really appreciate the video! Do you have details on what you set your timers to at various stages? Do you only use the fans when you want to harden the veggies? How much light and how far away do you keep the lights from the trays?
Hi, thanks. I keep the lights on for 17, off for 2-6” above with fans cycling the entire time
@@urbanfarmstead Wow, thanks for the quick reply!! I started a bunch of seeds over the weekend and started seeing quick germination so I needed to get the lights up stat!
Do you keep the heat mats on while they are growing or turn them off after they germinate? If so, what temp are you keeping them on? Thanks :) GREAT video!!!!!!!
I turn them off after they germinate
great video, are the fans absoluetly necessary since LED' don't put off much heat?
Thank you! The fans are not for temperature control. The air circulation is important, but you could go without if you choose.
From the viewer perspective, the grow lights Seedlings are yellower. Great video
Thank you for that feedback! The grow lights themselves emit a warmer more yellow light than the shop light that are more of a cool bright white. That might be what you are seeing. To me they looked identical in color when in the same light conditions. Thanks again ✌🏼
Wondering how many inches you are keeping the lights above your seedlings? I'm seeing leaf curl on my peppers and I think I might have the lights too close to them. Thanks for all of your help
Usually 1-4 inches with these LED lights
Think I'll be using the 14 ounce plastic cups.and skip the 12 count trays.
And a plastic container to lay the cups in water
Thanks
When did you start the seeds growing under the lights? I am assuming you don't want to start them to soon. Thanks
Ron Waller these were started at a few dirtiness but mostly around a month ago. You’re right, you never want to start any seeds too soon regardless of where you’re starting them.
Very helpful video! Do you think the shop lights can grow lettuce to full size?
Thank you! Yes, I think so though I’ve not attempted it yet.
Hi, Good video! Can you please tell me what size black pots you are using in the black trays and what size the trays are? Thanks so much. Elena
I'm getting ready to set up an indoor veg-garden seed-starting area, and this video and the one of the build have helped enormously. One big question: I can't find a lumen value for the ActiveGrow light you used (I just want to compare). Do you know the how many lumens it puts out?
I find most 4ft shop lights rated for around 40 watt, and I'd probably use a couple per shelf tbo
Hi :) I’m a summer gardener but a beginner at starting seeds indoors. I’d like to grow vegetables year round in doors (as I live in a cold climate) is it possible to not just grow seedling for the summer but to also grow full plants continuously in my kitchen with just shelving and lights? I’d like to grow things that I eat regularly, like, lettuce, spinach, beets, herbs etc...all year. I’ve been looking into grow tents and ventilation as well but I’m not sure if they’re necessarily? My husband is concerned about moisture from an indoor garden but isn’t this just the same as having house plants??
Hey Kyle. If you have a minute can you tell me what you use the sea weed extract for. Thanks for your time.
Gabe
I use it as a fertilizer
What reflective material did you use for you rack? I did not see that info on either video
Hello Kyle thanks for the great, informative video. However unless I'm overlooking something, you did not post information about the LED GROW light that you used. On your amazon list for the grow rack you have the LED shop light bulbs you used, but nothing about the LED grow light, nor is there anything in the links about it.
Could you please provide information on the LED grow light that you used in this video? I would like to compare it's specs to the shop lights you used. I am designing my own system right now so that I can (hopefully) grow lettuce, bunching onions, chives, and cherry tomatoes year round. Thanks!
Would you say led is better then florescent for growing? And what is that built around your grow shelf?
So I have the exact same set up you recommended with the same lights. I have germination but they super slow growing. Are the lights strong enough?
There are different factors that can affect growth rates, but you also don’t want them to grow too rapidly. Heat, soil, nutrients, hours of light, and seed related factors can all affect growth rate. 3 lights per row should be plenty, but you could add a fourth if you choose.
Can you tell me something about the Wattages of both lights, please ?
I linked both lights and all other materials used in the description. Shop lights 20w, grow lights 23w.
I have zero outdoor space, can I bring indoor vegetables from seed to harvest indoors?
Great information. What were the lumens of the lights.
Any reason I could not do this in the garage in North Florida insulated garage instead of in the house since I won't need a window?
I’m not sure what the lumens are but the lights are linked in the description. This is in my garage, so yeah, should be fine
Also the heat mats that you suggested with this rack are bigger than rack do you just let it curl up on one end? Is it flat enough for proper germination? I do soil blocking
Yes, unfortunately they are slightly larger than the rack, but yes the just curl up on the edge and work perfectly well.
Did you take the whitish plastic diffuser lens off of the LED shop lights ? I’ve seen that recommended t some people. But it seems it wouldn’t effect the growth to me . It actually seems that diffusing the light would spread it out better for the plants . Thank you ! I was about to order more grow lights for my succulents. But I’ll try the shop lights instead. Do an experiment of my own . 😊
Nope, I just use them as they are and it works great!
I’m considering to setup lights this year. Is the linked shoplight still good to buy as the video is 2 years old? 2200lm 6500k .Please let me know . Thanks !
Is there any produce that will be ready to harvest in the winter?
Katie Saywell yes, I grow a wide variety of winter hardy crops here in zone 9b
I’m new to gardening. When you say “hardened off” I’m assuming you mean they are set outside to get used to being outside. Am I right? Also, planting here in North Carolina For spring is around April 15th. When would one start these seeds to include the hardening off? Thanks Kyle. I keep learning and taking another step.
Yes, more or less. Your seed starting depends on frost dates and seed germination times. Seed packs should tell you
No mate this a growing technique where you stroke the basil 🤦🤣
You leave them out during the day, bring them in at night. Do that for a few weeks before leaving out all night. Or if it's a cold frame then you gradually open it
Hey! about how many inches away from the top of the plants do you have the lights? Thanks!
2-4
Did you cover your rack system with a sheet of plastic or anything to mimic a small greenhouse? Or is the rack system open concept in your garage?
m1k3y9525 I did not, I did build it into a closet type space but it’s open on the front side and I think that helps to improve airflow.