OK here is a bit more information. When I said I wanted to grow a couple trays I just meant 2 or 3 small trays with 25 cells each. And it would just be to start them for transplanting outside in 4 - 6 weeks.

Below is a link to a pic I just took of the new setup with my leggy lettuce seedlings. I'm going to harden them off and plant them this week, then would like to start two of the same sized trays of flowers.

I really hope I didn't waste my money and these bulbs will be enough!

If not, I'm thinking maybe these $6 40 watt bulbs instead?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100186602

Here is a link that might be useful:

I am going to stick my neck out and say this. You are OK as long as you have the plants with in about 2 inches of the bulbs. So like you could have 10 inches by 20 inches of plants with the bulbs right over them.

Sorry but the link to your picture is not working - 404 error. And the other link just gives a "product not available" page with no photo.

So, as a general impression only - IF you can return this light you describe, I would exchange it for a plain old 4' shop light with 2 40 watt bulbs for it. They are almost always much cheaper than what you bought anyway.

It makes no difference if it is too long for your shelves - just let it stick out on the ends.

If you can fix the links it would be a really big help.

Dave

Hmm that's weird Dave, it is working for me. I've been having this problem with Google Picasa, some people can see it, others can't, and they flicker on and off. I have no idea why.

How about try copying and pasting this link into your browser?
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iOT4L1n-eSk/Sc7f555B_iI/AAAAAAAAI1g/Lee-cmihE48/IMG_5023.JPG

I don't know how to embed images directly in my posts on this forum.

Alternately, you could try just looking at my blog, it is the newest post at the top. I put that link below.

As for the Home Depot link, that is also working for me! Maybe because I have it set to my local store. In any case, this is the product:

Philips 2 Ft. 40 Watt T12 Natural Spectrum HomeLight Fluorescent Bulb Model 392316 $5.97/EA Each

I don't think I can return the ones I have since I've already used them. I also wouldn't want ones twice as long, it would really stick off the shelves a lot and I've got it right in my living room in a tight space. A 40" setup would make it so I couldn't open the door.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Here is a link that might be useful: grow light blog post

Why don't you pick up another 20-watt and hang it alongside the one you have over the top shelf? Or...use it for the bottom shelf.

Prof

I got your picture to work!

Your light appears to be too high above the plants, which is why they are leggy. It needs to be wtihin a couple of inches. I think I have 20 watt bulbs, and my plants are not leggy.

mindiloohoo is right, that light is way too high above the plants. T12 tubes are cool enough so that they can actually touch the plants without hurting them. My 4 ft shop lights with t12's are no more then 1/4 inch above my seedlings.

Jon

OK, thanks. I'll move them closer.

Also, btw, I just put those lettuce seedlings under that light setup yesterday - I planted them around a month ago, and at first didn't have anything but the window giving them light. So they were leggy right from the start. That's when I realized I had to get some artificial light pronto.

I'm really concerned now b/c today I wrote up a plan and realized I'll need three of those 25 cell size trays to grow all the flower seedlings I want. I tested it, and all 3 trays do fit on one shelf under the 24" bulbs, but I'm still not sure that the 2 20 watt bulbs will be enough to really cover them from end to end.

Darn. I hate to waste the bulbs and money, but I don't want all my flowers to go leggy either! I'm thinking maybe I should just go get the $6 40 watt bulbs from Home Depot...

Oh, I just realized in the picture you probably can't tell there is a south-facing window right behind the shelf. The background with rectangles is a piece of fabric I pull down at night so the neighbors don't go blind. (the blinds that were on the window since we bought this house last year broke, and I am still saving up to get new ones that match for all of the windows in the living room. So temporarily I just use the fabric) But during the day whenever it is sunny the seedlings also get natural light.

One piece of advice: don't focus so much on purchase price. You talk about $6 40W bulbs. But running 40W for 24/7 is about $3 a month. So your electricity costs are as much as your purchase costs after a mere 2 months, and from then on out, it's all electricity costs.

Get the right stuff off the bat. The real costs are in the power.

Well I would have gotten the right stuff off the bat if I'd know what it was to begin with haha!

Honestly I am still unsure if what I have is good enough or not.

I bought the exact same light and figured out immediately that I would not be happy with only one. We went right out and bought another complete set and I have two lights over my top shelf of my mini greenhouse. I'm honestly now thinking I'd like two more for my bottom shelf of my mini greenhouse.
The set you have is right, but you need the light distributed over the entire flat of seedlings or you will still have leggy seedlings. They will all stretch toward the light and the outside ones will stretch the most. I don't even think you could keep the light to within 2" of the seedling tops cuz then the outer plants just don't get enough light. I know the sets are expensive and it's a pain putting them together, but you'll never have to buy the sets again, if that's any help...