how do you keep your grow lights versatile and adjustable?

I finished my first grow around 6 months ago and it was great, and im contemplating doing it again. the one thing I really do want to change is how I arrange my lights. i cant tell you how jankity my first setup was. i made a pvc scaffold that could barely stand, and then used string to tie up a power strip and would hang lights using extension cords. it was such a pain in the ass, and when i would seal it up (using 2 rubbermaid bins), the lights would get shifted and i would come back to burnt buds.

so i was wondering what you guys have for solutions? i find that if you can get the light within 1.5 inches of a bud that CFLs really do "shine" (pun intended) this means you will have to adjust the lights daily any be able to hit many angles/heights with the light, preferably accurately as well so you can hit the buds from the sides. preferably doing this as painless as possible, since you will need to adjust lights every day or so.

can anyone show their solutions? preferably cheap solutions that can be constructed from home depot too first thought that popped in my mind is those lamps that look like Doc Oc's arms from spiderman. you know, the lamps you can bend and twist in any direction. that would be expensive, but its an idea

if you wanted to keep the setup you have for right now and need just a quick fix for light adjusters, i would have to say use some small link chain (the kind you see hanging small wire baskets and whatnot) and some cheap hooks.
right now i have a small veg box (17''x17''x17'' using 4 cfl's) i have a small hole in the top for the wiring to pass thru and i just use a small clamp around the wires outside the box to make the lights adjustable. when i finally build my flower box im sure i will be using a diy cool tube hung by chains so that it is adjustable.
hope that answers your questioin. Happy growing!

I have a piece of heavy wire shelving fastened to my ceiling. I use plastic chains that come down alongside the power cords and fasten to the light bearing the weight. I then use a two ended clip to fasten the link in the chain anywhere I want to a point on the "grid" that is overhead. With one hand I can move a light from position to position, and by hooking to a different link in the chain, raise it up or lower it.

I'm building a grow cab and I'm thinking about making some fixtures for side lighting that is attached to the walls of the box with industrial strength Velcro. That way I can easily adjust the height of the side lights.

I have a fat stack of dvd's that I adjust as necersary all sorts of shapes and boxes. I'm rocking out lamps though, not just the bulbs. The light I have over the plant is ried up via its own power cord, easily adjustable lmao

I am planning on getting some fixtures for my next grow, but I will deffinately try to keep a couple of lamps I can move around at will, it deffo serves it's use

Your bendy lights idea sounds funky, I'll have to get a couple of those at some point.

I find the whole fucking about with lights pretty entertaining haha, spending time with my plant ^^

I have planned getting some wood and just sticking 5 fixtures on it, almost pretending it to be a T5 bulb if you get my understanding.

I would say if you had room in your closest to use like i am using get an actual heat lamp with a flourescent BULB not tube because my first grow failed after tube caused to positioning and a tragic fall.... but my new set up is working well hanging the chord from where i would originally hang my clothes with easy adjustments and gives a good amount of light with one bulb my friend is using two bulbs with just as good looking plants as i have now. Good luck with your second grow man.

Illegal Smile said:

I have a piece of heavy wire shelving fastened to my ceiling. I use plastic chains that come down alongside the power cords and fasten to the light bearing the weight. I then use a two ended clip to fasten the link in the chain anywhere I want to a point on the "grid" that is overhead. With one hand I can move a light from position to position, and by hooking to a different link in the chain, raise it up or lower it.

Click to expand...

could you perhaps show me a picture. i think i have an idea, but im not sure

haha I did that for a while, I had crazy lamps with holes in the bases though, but the plant got too wide lmao.

pout - you know the rail you put hangers on? same rail but hanging the lights on it instead, using thier own cord for adjustability

This thread is useless with out pics

poutineeh said:

could you perhaps show me a picture. i think i have an idea, but im not sure

Click to expand...

I don't have a pic and the grow room is being redone right now. But imagine that overhead you have a heavy "panel" about 3x4 feet. It is made of heavy wire in a grid pattern so that the "holes" are about 3in by 1 in. That wire is not flush against a ceiling but has space above it. Once I have the light hanging vertically and its weight borne by a chain, I take a double ended clip like you put keys on. One end clips a link in the chain, the other goes on a wire in the grid. By just moving the clip from one link to another I can raise and lower the light, and by moving the clip around on the grid I can move the light to any position in and among the plants I want.

I used a grow box and six 8" clamp lights. At first it was a real pain, but coming to the end of my grow, I have to say they were pretty versatile. Here's a photo..

ive given this a little more thought and i think i am going to mount power strips on a plywood stand so they are vertical. i have to figure out a way to adjust the vertical height though, which will allow me to move the power strips easily in all 3 space dimensions. should keep the wire clutter down and make moving the lights around easy, but again it does keep my light very concentrated locally to the powerstrip, which arent that big (only maybe 5-6 outlets wide).

can anyone help critique my idea and improve it?