You'll find the answers to all these questions well-covered in the FAQs over on the Growing from Seed forum here. There are also lots of discussions with pictures of the various set-ups used, which ones to avoid using, the problems with using peat pots, the problems with using peat pellets, and the problems covers can cause when used incorrectly, damp-off, transplanting to larger containers once germinated, how to use soil heating pads and various types of growing lights needed, etc. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Growing from Seed forum

H-girl, Do you put just one CFL in between your fluorescents with your plants? And are you talking about using a desk lamp or office lamp with a clamp, Yea, this is just kind of a common sense thing. My T12s are up about 2 foot to be above the tomato plants so I shoved a CFL in about 8 inches high to light the lettuce and radish growing in the bottom. The other container has one plant 2 foot high, so the light is above that. But the second plant was only 8 inches high so I shoved a CFL in right above it. Seems a lot of people just buy one of those big, hot 400 watt out fits so that enough light shines down from above. Would be easier if all plants were same height. Florescents need to be real close all most touching. Things don't have to be as exact as some think, the idea is to have fun. Kenny

Arent those stands great ? I have a total of 5 in my workshop. one dedicated to plant starting, I'm not hanging my lights, just raise my trays as needed..I use the crock pot filled with water on low setting , close it all in at night, this is coming along great for me. This post was edited by japus on Thu, Mar 27, 14 at 7:39

I try to recycle waste for my needs where possible, so for cheap heat, I'd be looking for wasted heat. Surely all the heat from your refrigerator and freezer go somewhere, feel around the sides and back and see what you find. Can you place the seedlings above the hot spot? Televisions, DVD players, computers and other sizable electronic devices create waste heat as they run. Do have a hot spot near a cluster of them that you could tuck one or more trays into? Dryers blow a lot of hot air as they run. Could you insulate a small structure around the exhaust port, capture and save that heat?