My succulents do amazing under these. Was recommended to me by a lady that I regularly buy beautiful succulents from. (6 Pack) Barrina LED T5... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share You get to see their true colors under these as well. You don’t need to buy ones labeled grow lights.
I bought these from Ammy two years ago. They work. Are they the best $$$ can buy? No. Do they fit the $60 range yes. I have a set of 5 shelves and put two lights on each shelf with zip ties. I grew peppers, eggplants, and tomato plants last year and had healthy plants that were not leggy. I added another set that were chainable, actually one light per shelf, that were a bit more maybe around $100 that had a different color spectrum. The lettuce that I grow year round liked having the additional lights and lettuce that was supposed to turn red actually turned red.
As always, I do not make any money from the Amazon link that I posted.
Got it, thank you so much! What does CRI mean for the plants? The ones I linked to say that >80, should I try looking for something higher?
Nice setup btw! I’m thinking about getting racks like that!
These ones are 85 and that’s the highest I can find currently:
(Pack of 6) Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 4FT, 2200lm, 6500K (Super Bright White), 20W, Utility Shop Light, Ceiling and Under Cabinet Light, Corded electric with built-in ON/OFF switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Si91EbVF7QH1X
Oh, those are 8ft lights; Here's 6 4ft lights for $40. https://www.amazon.com/Barrina-Integrated-Fixture-Utility-electric/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ref=pd_cp_60_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
For seed starting, basically any good quality LED lights will work as long as they are 6500K or higher. And obviously the more lumens they put out the better.
I have pretty much the same setup as OP with these lights: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ and have had great success with them. I put in 2 lights per shelf but I also put mylar around 3 sides of the shelf to more efficiently use the light.
Now if you plan to have your plants under lights for their entire life cycle, that is when you need to look into more traditional "grow lights".
(Pack of 6) Barrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 4FT, 2200lm, 6500K (Super Bright White), 20W, Utility Shop Light, Ceiling and Under Cabinet Light, Corded electric with built-in ON/OFF switch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MCY17MAC3N4MQENKSY9X?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Hope this link works. I made my own ballasts for the lights that I could raise and lower as needed.
These have been my go to...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_HSWJ8RAMGQDPKW9BMAT1
Go with some cheap LED strips. These should do the job https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM
(6 Pack) Barrina LED T5... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HBT3BVM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Just a word of caution. I have 3 plant grow lights and use them for germination only. I place the seed trays 4" - 5" from the lights. Generally speaking, these lights are a ripoff. I use these LED's (not plant specific) post-germination and they work extremely well. I paid $44 for 6 LED lights. They are $48 today. $8 per lamp.
I have been using these to great success this year, I also have metal shelving and put 3 on each shelf. I’ve used them mostly for starting seeds for the garden but also for some houseplants. The purple grow lights that I have as well sunburned my succulents but these shop lights have been great!
As you can tell from the responses there are a lot of lighting options out there. Some are way more expensive than others. I’ve tried at least six different types over the last six years. My preferred light was a 4 bulb hood from Amazon. It’s no longer made/sold. It was like $90.
I currently run the Barina tubes for some things and a vivosun hood for others.
Most important is that they are 6500k.
Do yourself a favor and check THESE out. They are ultra cost effective and put out a ton of good light. They chain together and look really clean. If you search for "Barrina" on here you can see some examples.