I'm looking to convert an unused garden tub into a hydroponic setup for growing tomatoes now that winter's here. The catch is that I have no electricity for grow lights in that area. I'm wondering if anyone knows how I could convert a recessed ceiling light into a suitable grow light. I've read that I can't change the light fixture to an outlet due to code restrictions, and there aren't any other electrical outlets on that wall. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Honestly, LED grow light panels are your best bet. Anything else is generally not worth it for growing tomatoes. If you're keen on using that recessed light, you'll have to do some wiring, which sounds like what you're trying to avoid—but you could also run an extension cord from another room if that's feasible. I tried standard 'grow light bulbs' in regular sockets before, but they just didn’t cut it! A proper LED panel in a 2000W equivalent is what you're really going to need!
You'll need more than just a single light for this project. Just throwing in a grow light and calling it a day isn’t the best approach. Think about additional factors like pumps and airflow—a solid setup can be a bit of an investment. If you're just trying this out for fun, it might be worth reconsidering your options and budget.
It's true; a garden tub has a lot of potential for growing. You might want to explore other options first before fully committing.
Maybe consider starting small with just the essentials to see how it goes!
Thanks for the heads up! I had extension cords in mind, so knowing how many lumens I need is super helpful!