Question
I am interested in starting an "economical" solution to starting seeds indoors using artificial light.  I need to know what components I will need.  What type of light source should I use?  What should I look for in the reflector?  I want to have a 5 shelf system with lights above the seed trays on each shelf.  Can full spectrum fluorescent, such as you can purchase at walmarts work for this purpose or do I need to buy the more expensive grow light bulbs and reflectors that I see on the internet?  What is the difference?  I want best results, at an economical price.  Thank you for your time on this matter.

Answer
Hi Regene,
Thanx for your question.  This is the set-up I use.  It is not perfect but it is economical and has worked well for me for the past 9 years.  I bought a 5 tiered shelving unit from Home Depot that runs about $75.  It is about 30 inches wide by 52 inches long (each shelf) and like I said, it is 5 tiers.  Each shelf will hold 4 10X20 seed flats.  I suspend 1 40-watt shop light (two bulbs) above each shelf.  I bought these shop lights at Walmart for about $10 a piece.  A few types of seedlings get leggy but most of the seedlings do pretty well.  Believe it or not, I only use one 4foot long 40 wat shop light above each flat.  I have another set up similar to this that I made myself out of wood and bolts.  Buy the shelving unit.  It's easier.  I hope this helps.
Tom