Shop Fittings

Is it okay to use high-output fluorescent grow light tubes in regular shop light fixtures?

I just can't justify spending $200 to $300 for a fixture like the Tek-Light T5, especially when I need four of them. I want to be able to grow full vegetables, not just start seedlings.

Public Comments

1. Sure, as long as the ballast is big enough to handle the wattage. That's basically the limiting factor. There should be a sticker on plate on the ballast (transformer) that tells what it's power capacity is. If that is greater than the wattage of the fluorescent tubes, then you can use that fixture. By the way - I saw the Tek T5 on eBay for $70 (buy it now) plus $20 shipping.
2. Yes, I do it all the time. I grow plants indoors-and even have different "types" in the same fixtures.