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List Price: $79.95
Sale Price: $78.99
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Just received and assembled this product today. I'm not sure why others have posted about poor quality and flimsy construction of this product. I am very satisfied with the construction and sturdiness. This product is exactly what I expected for the price, product description, and pictures.
I did notice that there are 3 very similar hydrofarm 4 foot grow systems listed on amazon, with a $15 price-range difference. This is the most expensive of the three. The only difference I can tell from the written description is that this product is described as having a premium light fixture. The pictures look the same. One of the other 4 foot hydrofarm systems received a few positive reviews.
Assembly required a philips head screwdriver, pair of pliers, and about 5 minutes of my time. One screw is used to connect each of the two vertical supports to the base cross-bars. Due to the shape and construction of the parts, this fit is tight and secure. Then each of the vertical side bars slips into the top piece (metal button is pressed and then releases into a hole on the top piece). Then you attach the light fixture itself, by hooking nylon string with s hooks attached to the top to either end of the light fixture. Pliers are used to close s hooks. The light is raised and lowered with the nylon string, very similar to a heavy venetian blind. It would be nice if the nylon string were a tad thicker, but it is sufficient for the job.
Overall, I am very happy with this product and would recommend it.
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I have had this light set-up for a few years now, and still love it. The original fluorescent fixture conked out after 2 or 3 years' use, but a $10 shoplight fixture from a hardware store replaced it seamlessly. The stand is very light, and slightly aggravating to put together the first time, but it does the job beautifully. It is the easiest to adjust of all lighting systems I've used, allowing one-handed movement of the light up or down, making it great for seed starting. The one-handed-ness is made possible via some coiled metal strips within the cross-bar that create tension on the two strings or chains that connect to the sides of the light fixture. If you have to remove the fluorescent fixture for bulb replacement or storage, I recommend that you hook the two strings or chains to one another to avoid having to reassemble the tensioning mechanism, which can be annoying.
This, plus a few heat mats and a small fan on a timer are all I've needed to start and grow thousands of strong seedlings in my tiny apartment, populating the neighborhood with flowers and veges for years now!
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I have some mixed feelings about this product, even though I'm about to order a second one. First, and the only downside to this light, the overall construction is rather cheap. The frame is rather flimsy...Hydrofarm put all their know-how into the most important part: The light itself. But be forewarned the frame is a bit wobbly. Since a grow light sits stationary most of the time, it's not a serious issue. The two biggest plus points for this product.. the price and the fact that it works. I grow exotics and palms in zone 7 and have to overwinter them inside, and my Hydrofarm light has kept them going for 2 years straight. Unless you have the extra bucks $$$ to invest in the HP sodium or metal halide lights (as well as the increased energy usage) it would be hard to beat this bargain.
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I don't usually leave reviews, but the questionable negative comments about this product urged me to write my first. I purchased this light for my five African Violets. First, I'd like to commend Amazon for its low price and incredibly fast shipping; the product was at least $20-$25 more at other sites, and I received it within two days. Assembling the light took under five minutes and was a breeze. The instructions, if needed, are very clear and easy to follow. I'm not sure why people say that the light assembly is flimsy. I think they must not be tightening the screws that attach the feet; if the screws are loose, the fixture will be too. If anything, its light weight is a plus, for it allows you to move it from room to room with ease if you want to. Adjusting and locking the height of the light is also very simple; its just like tightening the waist band of a winter jacket. After only 12 hours of resting under the fixture, my Violets are standing up much straighter and look healthier and happier. The whole system has added a beautiful cheerfulness to our home --a brightness that my poor African Violets just couldn't seem ever to find in the winter months in a very grey Chicago!
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I'm re-writing my review because issues mentioned in it previously are no longer issues. I have 2 of these now. I've uploaded 3 customer images to show how 2 of these can work together. One is an older design that uses two T12 bulbs, a pull rope for on/off switch and pull strings on the side for height adjustment. The newer design that is selling now is much better. The on/off switch is on the power cord. The height adjustment is much simpler using a friction/slip knob on a thicker cord. This newer design also uses only one T5 bulb.
I use this for growing vegetable plants from seeds until they're ready to go outside. I have seen reviews that say that this fixture doesn't supply enough light for seedlings and that is not true. For seedlings, adjust the light so that it's as close to your plant tops as possible without touching them (no more that 1 inch from the light). The closer the better. Keep your light(s) on for 16-18 hours a day. I use a timer to turn my lights on and off. Adjust your light height once or twice a day as your plants grow, always keeping the light close to the plant tops but not touching. Touching the light for a period of time will burn your plants. I do not shorten the time that my light is on as the plants grow. I have had great success with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and others, all from seeds.
Another feature that comes in handy is that you can tilt the light at an angle (using the cord adjustment). My plants are different heights so I tilt my lights and tall plants go under the high end while the shorter plants go under the low end. If you just want a wider light, buy 2 of these and place them side by side. Again, see my customer images that show my setup.
As far as not being sturdy, once on the table top, they're as sturdy as they need to be. I've had no problems at all and I've been using these for a few years. If you're always moving them around then you need to be careful. The frame isn't designed well enough to be banged around.
Update on 8/3/2013: Customer images seem to get removed and then re-appear occasionally, so I apologize if the photos that I refer to aren't there. As I write this, they are still showing a photo of the old version and the rest are of the new (much improved) version.
