Is this a good option for a grow light?

[Emerald]

They look like my grow lights too.. but I got mine for about $6(no bulbs) and the bulbs cost more than the lamp fixture. lol but I did buy grow bulbs. I have them on chains and hooks and can move them up and down with the growth of the plants..

Where did you find them for $6?

Ten or so years ago at Menards it is a big chain up here in Michigan-not sure how widespread they are but they often have much better pricing than lowes or home depot.

ETA: just checked the same one now is $17.68 no bulbs. Online. I'd have to see what they are in store. Hubs said that they were a special buy when we got them.. a pallet sale. and they were $6.59.

 

[~gd]

In my option the fact that most bad reviews can be traced back to junk ballasts {humming, flickering and failing to start below 60F] would rule them out for me. I take a real burn when I replace a tube and the new one wont work either. Either find ones with good strong ballasts or check into the cost of replacement ballasts. If you are planning on using a timer keep in mind that starting is harder on the ballast than being always on
As for tubes seedlings are not fussy about the color of the light though it can be important for blooming plants. Somewhere I got the info that one cool white and one warm white actually provide a wider spectrum than grow lights alone do.~gd