I thought I'd share this plan for a light that will get you through your first grow, or until you can afford something better. This rig will cover two square feet of grow space.. You may have most of the parts already!

1 Clamp lamp (150 watt or more capacity). $9.98 @ Home dePot.
3 'Y' socket adapters. $2.48 each= $7.44 @ Home dePot.
4 23 to 37 watt, compact fluorescent bulbs. 2 for $9.98 x2 = $19.96 @ Home dePot.
Light hanging chain (or other hanging material). $1.49 per foot x6 feet = $8.94 @ Home dePot.
1 Swag hook. $1.69 @ Home dePot.
Small Appliance timer (optional). $10.98 @ Home dePot.
All items are available at Home dePot, Walmart, Lowes, or almost any hardware store.

First, remove the reflector from the clamp lamp. It is too small for the assembly we are building.

Next, screw one of the 'Y' adapters into the clamp lamp socket.

Now screw the remaining 'Y' adapters into the sockets of the first one.

You should now have four sockets in your clamp lamp.

Adjust the sockets so they are equal distance apart. It's OK if they are slightly loose, as long as they are solidly screwed in.

Screw the four compact fluorescent bulbs into the sockets and hang using swag chain, cable or wire.

DO NOT use the clamp to support the lamp, because we have added too much weight, and the clamp will not hold it.

DO NOT use more than four bulbs in one assembly.

DO NOT use bulbs brighter than 30 watts max.

If you follow these rules, this assembly is very safe, and will not overheat or cause electrical problems. We have tested it extensively.

Four 26 watt bulbs, will give you 6800 lumens! I like to use 'daylight' spectrum bulbs for maximum usable color spectrum. As mentioned above, they are available in multi packs from Home dePot. Whichever bulbs you use will be fine. You don't have to use the special 'grow bulbs'.

I'll post later about building a reflector to fit this assembly. Meanwhile, just hang it about 2 inches above your top leaves, in a corner where two white walls meet.
psteve Reviewed by psteve on . El Cheapo Guide to Lighting A guide to cheap lighting for the broke newbie stoner Fluorescent Bulbs Fluorescent tubes have good efficiency and put out very little heat, but they usually aren't intense enough to produce a lot of buds. Still, for the vegetation stage of growing, they're great. All types of fluorescent bulbs usually have several numbers written on them that you should pay attention to. One is the watts. This determines how much energy a bulb uses, and also how much light it gives off. The Rating: 5