Reddit reviews Jump Start 2' T5 Grow Light System (Stand, Fixture & Tube) - JSV2

https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-Start-Light-System-Fixture/dp/B0006856EQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536092186&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=jump%2Bstart%2Bgrow%2Blight%2Bsystem&dpPl=1&dpID=41M4eABcHgL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

I’ve used that one since getting my first succulents this summer. It’s good if you have... a few. But I’d like to get some lights that don’t have a stand that I could attach to a shelf or something — I just happened to have bought this a few years back for my cacti and bonsai. It’s worked great!

[The original 2' T5 fixture] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006856EQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_1RrFAbKNAEJ2M) I bought. I still use the green frame but it took some extra work to get it to support the weight of my new light.

My current 8 bulb light Not cheap but zero regrets. It's amazing.

Two pack clamp fixture - better deal than if you buy them individually.

Four pack of red/blue LED bulbs

If you decide to get a setup, I use this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006856EQ

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It is a good setup which includes the light and the frame. Around $55, but i love it.

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if you just want a simple cheap system to get started with this is quite good. http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV2-2-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0006856EQ - you really do not want or need HiD lamps unless you are growing MJ. CFL/T5 are perfect for most veggies and herbs, (much) less heat, less electricity, cheaper bulb replacement, etc.

Here are some things to put on your WL. :)

First, an indoor [grow light.] (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV2-2-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0006856EQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1422226251&sr=8-4&keywords=grow+light&pebp=1422226264209&peasin=B0006856EQ) This one is quite good; the hanging apparatus lets you raise and lower the light to the best level for the type of plants you're growing.

Second, a [timer] (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-TM01715D-7-Day-Digital-Program/dp/B001BPOBTY/ref=pd_sim_lg_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E2RX335ER9JP2WTKJX5) to turn the light on and off. This is a surprisingly good timer for only $16; I use these for everything -- grow lights, heat mats, the pump for my mantis humidifier...

Next, a little [growing center.] (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-TM01715D-7-Day-Digital-Program/dp/B001BPOBTY/ref=pd_sim_lg_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E2RX335ER9JP2WTKJX5) I linked this one because it has a 7" dome -- I think that's immensely useful. When you're just getting seeds to sprout before putting them outside you can use a smaller dome. However, if you're going to grow them inside longer, it helps to have a taller dome.

That germination station comes with a heat mat, which is why it costs $40. I'm rather ambivalent on the heat mat. Many people swear by them, and I do think they help certain types of seeds. (And they help keep up the humidity in the dome.) If you decide to forgo the mat, though, just look for a growing station with a 7" dome.

I like [this one,] (http://www.amazon.com/9GreenBox-Starter-Germination-Station-Complete/dp/B00IMP1HVQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1422226397&sr=1-6&keywords=germination+station&pebp=1422226594696&peasin=B00IMP1HVQ) incidentally. Notice that it has an outer tray, and you put the seedling pots in it -- this is perfect; it allows you to use whatever size seedling pots you want.

And then the fun part -- search for seeds and put them on your WL. Since you're growing inside, you can grow virtually anything!

However, I recommend NOT starting carnivorous plants from seed. CVs are notoriously fickle, and they're extremely difficult to raise from seed. If you're interested in CVs, you can have young CVs sent to you. Before you do, though, do some reading so you know what to expect -- caring for them is very different from other plants. I can give you some help there, too. :)

A few things:

• First, looks like it may be a little too wet. While it's true they like wet soil, yours seems a little waterlogged. If you're growing indoors, go and buy a tall tumbler cup like this at Walmart and drill a few holes in the bottom. Flytraps want deep pots so their roots can grow. They have a long root system. If you're growing outside, go and pick up some tall 32oz styrofoam cups and poke some holes in the bottom. They'll protect the plant from overheating, they're cheap and provide space for root growth. Depending on the pot, you usually want to stick to about keeping water about 1/5 the depth of the pot.
  
  
• Second, light. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If you can't provide this, you'll need to find a grow light that is relatively bright (if going with florescent, stick to T5 HO bulbs.) I imagine this model would be sufficient (I have a 4' 4 bulb light of the same brand). It would need to be left on a timer and set to be on for about 16 hours a day.
  
  
• Third, make sure you're using reverse osmosis, distilled, or rain water only. No springwater, tap water, well water, etc. unless you've measured the PPM (parts per million) and they're under 50.
  
  I think these pointers should set you in the right direction.

Here are cheaper t5 set ups from hydrofarm.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV4-4-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0001XLSGQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395154828&sr=8-2&keywords=jump+start+high+output+light

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV2-2-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0006856EQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395154828&sr=8-1&keywords=jump+start+high+output+light

Some things you can buy:

Full kit, no gel. I personally don't like the light directly on top of the dome. You can't raise/lower if needed.

Hothouse and mat. This is what I use, along with this light.

Rooting gel

Rapid rooter starting pods. I use this, but there are definitely cheaper alternatives out there.

Don't give up!! Read up, do some research, and keep trying to grow. It's a fulfilling hobby, well worth the effort.

Depending on the PH of your water, you might only need a little bit of PH Down Solution (an acid) and some sort of nutrient solution. The nutrient solution that worked best for me when I was doing lettuce was the DynaGro Grow. One step, no mixing A B and C.

Amazon Link

I bought a gallon of PH Down from my local hydro shop, with their logo and everything, it was like 10 bucks for a gallon. I still have 3/4 left after almost 2 years. You could just use this one in case you really need to. I found out that DynaGro lowers the PH at an Ideal level.

You should have a PH probe and a TDS probe. They make some cheap ones like these two. You might need to calibrate them often, so you need this and this

I use This to measure my nutrients. You can get the same one at walmart for 10 bucks. But you have to go to walmart, and that to me is not worth the savings.

Try to find the "Recipe" you need for your reservoir. I calculate my towers have about 20 gallons of water up to the hole where the wire from the pump comes out of. Once you have everything measured write it down somewhere and take notes. I do a full reservoir change at the end of every crop. Lettuce wont grow again once you harvest it. Make sure you clean your tower really well to avoid salt buildup.

I get my seeds from http://www.johnnyseeds.com/

I've had great success with [this one] (http://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/lettuce/romaine-lettuce-cos/sparx-lettuce-seed-3156.html) and This one

You can also use your own Rockwool and make sure you get one of These.

I have something very similar to this but I can't find the exact one. You start your seedlings with that.

Let me know if you wanna go deeper down the rabbit hole. Sorry for the wall of text. And also, sorry about your wallet.

Good luck!

It's a T5 high output light. This one specifically: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006856EQ/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've kept it at about 3" above the seedlings when they were young. Now that they are in bigger pots and more spread out it's higher to try and spread over everything.

Yes these are the only plants underneath it.

60F but with a heating mat underneath.

No fertilizer.

I've been sticking to under watering since I over watered once when they were in their original burpee seed trays and I think that's what left the soil too damp.

Yeah, they like a lot of light. If you have somewhere, you could put them outside (and it's warm enough) you could do that, otherwise it wouldn't hurt to get a grow light. They have them available on Amazon: 2ft or 4ft.

Hope it helps =)

Half day sun is usually enough, preferably morning as it's not as hot. My house is specifically set on the lot to get more sun in the winter than in the summer, so I only get good sun during the winter months. I made a simple indoor window planter (because we also have to not feed the deer, bears and other animals) similar to this. It actually gives them enough light in the summer. Water them at night in a sink so there's time to drip and then hang in the morning.

You can also pick up, as kasittig recommended, an inexpensive grow light system. For $52 you can get this set up from amazon. But things like this work better if you start with already germinated seeds, and not from seed. You can buy a germination system (also called a hot house), but it really depends on how much space and money you really want to invest.

What would you say about these two?

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV2-2-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0006856EQ/

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-LKIT60-Dayspot-60-Watt/dp/B000053F9J/

http://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics%C2%AE-TT-GL20-Lights-Plants-Greenhouse/dp/B00GNWK2XO/

The first looks better, but the other two look more convenient and they're a lot cheaper. I'm not sure how much I need, the most important plants are two in 4" pots and three in 2.5". It doesn't seem like I would need a vey big setup.

hmmmm ok thanks. And I'm in Zone 10b.

So I should get two T8's? And I'll need to get a new fixture for those as well, correct?

The T5 bulb I have came with this stand and fixture.

Check out something like this, I have one and I love it: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-2-Foot-Start-Light-System/dp/B0006856EQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317661607&sr=8-2ve it:
You can use the stand or hang it from the ceiling to give your plants plenty of light.