I’m just getting started with grow lights. I’ve worked with some small kits in the past, but now I’m looking to expand. I’m pretty much up to speed on the basics of grow lighting from reading/watching plenty of information out there on the web. However, I’m looking to buy this light fixture (Prism Lighting Science HO T5 V2 4’, 4 Bulb Fluorescent) but am not sure how to hang it up over the table where my plants will be situated. I suppose I could build a structure with PVC pipes, or maybe purchase something that’s already out there. Does anyone have some advice? I should start by telling you that I have one of those pretty sturdy plastic pop-up tables, about 3 feet tall and 8 feet long by 3 feet wide. Thanks so much!
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Hey @plantdawg Welcome to GN! Are you growing in a tent? open room? There are several options depending on your type of space.
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Welcome to the growers network. This is a very popular topic here.
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my first room had a concrete ceiling. my husband used 5 2x4s and sawhorse brackets. it looked like a giant swingset and i hung my lights from it
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They have different weight sizes I use the 79 lbs. ones. Even used them on my three minisplit brackets that splits heads Mount to.
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Welcome to GN.
I have not heard of that light. Do you have a link for it?
I’m collecting light data. LOL
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I’ll be germinating a few hundred hybrid tomato seeds from last summer, sort of a hobby/business I have had on the side. So, I’m just growing these to about 6 weeks and then transplanting to 4-inch pots, which I’ll gradually harden off in the spring. That’s probably more info than you wanted, but there it is. I’m considering a single table with a 4-ft T5 x 4 bulb unit, which would require some sort of hanging apparatus. Already had a couple of posts on that, plus saw a few ideas on YouTube. I might even purchase two of these grow light T5 units and hang them on two layers of a metal/plastic storage shelving container. That would avoid me having to build something. Any thoughts on these ideas? Again, I’m a rookie and would like to learn from those who have the experience.
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Tomatoes are a high volume light vegetable.
from the website ‘Gardeningknowhow.com’;
"Light Requirements for Tomatoes to Grow:
The simple answer to questions on light requirements for tomatoes is that you need a minimum of six hours to produce fruit, but eight or more hours of sun will produce the best results in terms of how many tomatoes you get. The reason that light for a tomato plant is so important is that tomato plants convert sunlight into energy. Tomato plants need energy to make their fruit. Therefore, the more sunshine they get, the more energy they have and the more fruit they can produce.
Light Requirements for Tomatoes to Ripen:
So now that you know the light requirements for tomatoes to grow, you may be wondering how much sun do tomato plants need in order to ripen their fruit. Ah-ha! This is a trick question. Growing tomatoes and sun is necessary, but the fruit themselves do not need sunlight to ripen. Tomato fruit actually ripen fastest in the absence of sunlight. Tomatoes ripen because of heat and ethylene gas, not because of sunlight. So remember, the answer to the question how much sun do tomato plants need is simple. They need as much as you can give them. If you make sure that there is enough light for a tomato plant, the tomato plant will make sure there are enough tasty tomatoes for you."
Just google it, and you’ll go right to it. I had never heard of it either. Their prices seem very competitive, but what I liked best was their detailed specs and easy-to-understand product descriptions.
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Yeah, I’m looking at it now. Lots of $$$$.
You’re right about tomatoes and ripening. I rarely let a tomato stay on the vine past it’s first stage of coloration. And there is no taste difference, IMO. However, I have also tested germination quality extensively and the best germination percentage comes from tomatoes that have nearly “rotted” on the vine. Of course, I don’t need the lights for the germination, just the post germination + 6 weeks.
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Makes sense to me.
There no way I can afford that lol
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The best way to get info here is to search all the older posts. Most of the professionals here don’t get in as often as the hobbiests. Starting a new thread and waiting on the info will be very slow. Most of the newbies don’t know. They will also push in wrong directions.
The gold is in the stored threads. You just gotta find it. I’ve posted a couple of the threads. They have very good info in them. Most that have stated these things don’t often want to rewrite them over and over.
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Welcome. So you basically want to hang some lights… right? Here’s a simple functional ideal… is it possible to use some chain-link attached to the ceiling?
Not only is this easy, but it also functions as a means to adjust the height of the lights by simply attaching a “S” hook to your light and moving up or down along the chain.
Florescence light fixtures are light as well. The question is, what material is your ceiling made from and how high is it? As long as you’re not growing under some great painted ceiling in some famous church … I think this method works best. Good luck
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Trim master has all the dough 
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I was just looking at the prices for the T
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Thanks everyone for the great advice. I now have a plan and feel much more confident.
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