Easy to follow how to build a grow light plans

First, determine how many plants you wish to start from seeds. In the picture to the left, you will see the setup we use for starting our tomato and pepper plants. The 4-inch deep by 16-inch wide and 22-inch long storage container holds twenty-four 3-inch Jiffy pots. The 3-inch pots make it easy to start our seeds, and then plant the 8-10 week old plants straight into our vegetable garden without the need to repot tender young plants.

List of materials you will need: these items are available at lows, Home depot, Menards, and other home improvement stores.

1. 3 10-foot sections of 1-inch PVC water pipe, we will use this to make the frame that supports the grow light fixtures.
2. 8 each 1-inch PVC elbows / 90-degree bends.
3. 4 each 1-inch PVC T's.
4. Small can with applicator, PVC purple primer, and general purpose adhesive.
5. 1 bag of medium duty 8-inch nylon zip ties aka wire ties.
6. 2 each 4-foot fluorescent shop light fixtures with T-8 daylight lamps / light bulbs.
7. 1 power strip with on / off switch.

I am sure many of you fine folks have noticed the pictures of our seed germination, and plant grow set-up is a bit larger than others you might have seen online. The fact of the matter, we rather enjoy having the ability to start a combination of 96 of our tomato and pepper seeds in the 3-inch Jiffy pots with this set-up. The overall length works well with a 4-foot shop light, however, feel free to lessen the width in order to take up less space, and plant fewer seedlings if you like.

4) 32-inch   pieces of the PVC1-inch Plastic pipe

In the picture, you will notice a 32-inch piece of the 1-inch PVC running from left to right (the width). The top piece supports the light fixture and the bottom piece of pipe makes up each end of the base frame. You will need to cut 4 pieces of the 1-inch PVC pipe 32-inches long.

2) 40-inch pieces of the 1-inch PVC plastic pipe

In the same photo, you will see on each, the right and the left sides of the grow light support frame, a piece of the 1-inch PVC pipe running from front to back. Each of these pieces of pipe measures 40-inches long.

4) 18-inche pieces of the 1-inch PVC plastic pipe

In the photo, you will see 4 vertical pieces of the 1-inch PVC plastic pipe; these support the top portion of the frame that the grow light fixtures hang from.

4) 2-inch pieces of the 1-inch PVC plastic pipe

What you cannot see in the picture, there is a 2-inch piece of the 1-inch pipe connecting the 1-inch T that supports the light hanger support, and elbow at each corner of the base frame.

Assembling the end frame is really quite easy. Simply gather 2) of the 32-inch pieces of the PVC pipe, 2) 18-inch pieces, 2) 2-inch pieces, 4) of the 1-inch PVC elbows and 2) of the 1-inch PVC pipe T’s. Remember we want to dry fit all the pieces before gluing anything.

Here is a helpful time and aggravation saver for you, check each end of the PVC pipe for burs and rough edges where you cut it. Take time to smooth out any burs that will prevent the pipe and fittings sliding together before trying to force the PVC pipe, elbows, and T’s together.

Step one: Start assembling the light support section of the grow light frame by attaching one of the 90-degree elbow fittings, to one end of each 18-inch piece of pipe

Step two: Complete test fitting the light support section by attaching one of the 18-inch pieces of pipe and elbow assemblies, to each end of one of the 32-inch sections of pipe. Laying all the assembled pieces lying flat on a table or floor to ensure everything is square and lines up. Repeat the process for the second light support section.

Use a pencil or Sharpie to establish indexing marks located on each elbow, T fitting, and sections of pipe where they connect, this will make disassembly, reassembly, and gluing all the parts squarely, much easier on final assembly.

When assembling the bottom portion of the grow light stand. We will need:

2) 40-inch pieces of the 1-inch PVC pipe

2) 32-inch pieces of the 1-inch PVC pipe

2) 2-inch pieces of the 1-inch PVC water pipe

4) elbows, one at each corner

 4) t Fittings, one for each leg of the light supports

Remember to pay special attention when assembling the elbow, and T fittings, they must align perfectly at each of the four corners as shown in the picture above.    

Attach one of the elbow fittings on each end of the remaining 32-inch pieces of PVC water pipe. Make sure the corners squarely aligned.

With the corners aligned properly, slip one of the 2-inch pieces of pipe into the open end of each elbow; this is where the T fittings attach.

Slip the T fitting onto the bit of the 2-inch piece of pipe, and make sure the opening for the light support points straight up. Go ahead and push the light supports vertical legs into the T fittings. This will make aligning everything easier.

You now should have both ends of the grow light frame assembled dry fitted no gluing yet.

Connect the two pieces of 40-inch pipe, to the open ends of the T fittings connecting both end frames together. All should fit together properly.

Mark each joint using a sharpie like we talked about earlier, slip each connection apart, clean, and prime and glue each joint taking great care to align your alignment marks.    

Rather than go to all the bother of drilling holes, attaching screw in metal eyelets or similar fasteners. Nylon wire ties will make attaching and adjusting your grow light fixtures much easier. Not only will you need to rise or lower your grow lights as your tomato and pepper plants grow big and strong. Moving the fixtures to the right and left along the supports come in extremely handy at times.

Simply wrap a nylon wire tie around the 1-inch PVC pipe used to support the light fixtures, slip the chain hook in the loop created by the wire tie, and pull the wire tie snug and you’re done.

I hope you enjoyed putting your homemade grow light to work this season and grow your own fruits, vegetable, and flowers in great abundance.

Happy gardening, be well and if you like share your thoughts in the chat section below.

Thanks for sharing, teddletonmr