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[gnosis]

Here is a picture of my plants this is where I have to keep them all for the winter.  I need to figure out what type of lamp to buy to place over them because they are all starting to wilt and turn yellow.  I would appreciate any help asap that why I can go to home depot today and buy something.  If you have time and can browse home depots' light inventory and give me a suggestion that would be Awesome.

[Sunshine]

You can find lighting systems that are cheaper and more powerful on ebay or similar websites.

Check out these comparisons...this one has double the lights for only 20$ more. What is your budget?

176$ from ebay
(8 light 4ft 432 watt)

157$ from home depot
(4 light 4ft 216 watt)

The 4 light system might fit better in your available grow space. What are the dimensions of your grow table?

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[gnosis]

Hey Sunshine thanks for the reply buddy.  My table is about 6ft by 3ft.
Which one of the lamps do you think would be best?  I'm guessing the
8 light higher watt because they would get more light and heat from it.
My budget is about $200.  Also what do you think the energy bill will be with these
bad boys on all day?

[Sunshine]

Awesome, definitely go for the 8 light one then. It's 4ft by 2.2ft and puts out more than enough heat and power to keep your plants happy. You would even have enough output to start a bunch more and fit them under it comfortably. I'm not sure what the energy bill is. Since they're flourescent it shouldn't be too high. My dad pays the energy here and he hasn't complained...Wisdom might be able to tell you. He has one too.

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[AcaciaAve]

Worm tea and a light would help.
I recently got a 150w HPS light for $65 off of Amazon that seems to be doing well.
Have around 10 Acacia/Leucaena/Desmanthus/Mimosa seedlings, Acacia Cornigera, A. Chinchillensis, Trichocereus Pachanoi and 'Hemp' under it next to the window with some smaller florescent lights thrown in. The smaller ones are affecting the electricity bill the most i presume.
PM me if you're interested in a 16-32oz bottle of worm tea, also.

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[Frog Pajamas]

I've used both HPS and CFLs, and in my experience plants that like intense light do like HPS, but they will fry psychotrias and other understory plants.

Also the HPS put off a lot of heat and the intensity of the light was so bright that my non-plant obsessed family members quickly vetoed the use indoors. Some food for thought since you have to take into account others in your house.

Also, this thread has some good info on indoor lights, including a good recommendation about bulb color spectrum from hereje if you opt for a multi-tube CFL setup. 

Good luck!

[AcaciaAve]

HPS will get your plants through winter okay.
Like frog pajamas said it is an intense light.
I have a spare bedroom so plants are allowed to live here rent free

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[Chicsa]

Indoor grow tents will help contain high intensity lights. I <3 mine
I have a 150w hps in there, im about to get a 400w. Itll help to keep ur ballast out of the grow tent and to use a cool tube.

The light that you are seeing is from my CFLs

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[happyconcacti]

For 432 Watts:

Assuming:
12 cents/(kW-hr)  (Look on your electric bill and divide the "Total Cost for Electricity" by your total kW-hr. Don't include the fixed portion of the bill, such as fees, because you'd be paying that anyway, regardless of whether or not the light was there)
18 hours on
5 month winter

Stated Winter cost:
18 hours/day  x 5 months/winter x 30 days/month x 432 Watts x 12 cents/(kW-hr) x 1 kW / 1000 W x $1/100 cents = $140 per winter

Equivalent monthly cost:
$140 per winter x 1 Winter/ 5months = $28 per month

Hcc

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[New Wisdom]

I have several lighting set ups.  1 4' 8 bulb HO T5 set up.  1 4' 1 bulb HO T5 set up, 1 2' 2 bulb HO T5 set up, 1 1' 1 bulb HO T5 set up.  I pay about 50 dollars per month.  I also have 2 heat mats and a couple fans going.  I run them 16 hours per day.

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