very nice,
osb does strange things when wet, if it were me i would put down some plastic dropcloth or something to keep it dry under the plants. or just paint it

Well I tried of those cheap shop lights from wallmart burning out on me so I'm ordering one of these in january to put on my plant stand.


Virtual Sun 4-Ft 8 Lamp Veg Vegetation T5 HO Fluorescent Grow Light Kit-VST4008G

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200996...

Adam,
What bulbs did your cheap shop lights use? I bought the ones that use the T-8 bulbs. They are brighter and last a long time. The next best is T-5 which I see your buying now. I think you will noticed the brighter light and should help out alot. It just may same you on the electic bill.
Stush

It was the ballasts that burned out on my shop lights not the bulbs.

I thought of a combo-fix, although you might not see the need to fix anything, lol - but if you took Stush's idea, turned it upside down and created a lip , and stapled plastic or painted the shelf, then you could a) stabilize the shelf b) at least semi-waterproof it and c) give yourself even more room by not having to put the drain-saucers under the individual plants.

Regardless, it is a very nice set-up!

Adam,
Your lucky that didn't start a fire. I have heard of the new spiral bulbs doing just that. Back in the days when I worked for a living. You could tell a ballast was about to go just by the smell. In an office with 30 lights, it some times took awhile. We just changed out the whole fixture with new.

What is everyones thoughts on a 400w led panel are they good?

There's capacitors in those ballasts to stop fires, very safe.

I'm wondering why they would burn out on you, they should last several thousand hours before needing to be replaced, you may need to address that issue before you move forward!
That t5 setup will likely suffer the same fate!
As for the LEDs, it's new tech, take your chances!

They are way too pricey for my taste! It probably overkill for what you need.

If you do go for the led, expect dramatic changes in the way your plants looks and grow, you'll most likely grow the most compact jades in the world.

Well I've decided to go the cheap route. I'm going to buy 4 105 watt 6500k cfl's, and put them in clamp lights at the four corners of my middle self. The light bulbs will cost me 52 dollars + 7 shipping.

What do you think?

Adam,
If you can afford this, well ok, but you understand that watts equals heat. You will be producing more heat just like direct sunlight. It may burn your plants until they get used to it or some may never. Keep a few feet about them until you see how they respond to the heat. You should get some excellent results.
Stush

So, how did it go?