I've tried CFL, T-8 fluorescent, the old school led panels, and the hps/mh grow lights and they all made plants susceptible to sunburn. Figs and grapes tend to burn the easiest for me things like pomegranates and jujubes didn't really have a problem with sunburn so it may have something to do with what plant you are growing also. You are right about the 400 watt light, it's like having a mini sun inside. You can grow plants like tomatoes from seed to fruit under it. I already sold my t-8 fixture, I threw the led panel away because over half the bulbs went out on it within a year, and my 150 watt CFL bulb ended up being my back porch light until it finally went out. I understand the need for grow lights in short growing season areas of the world but my season is long enough that I no longer use any of them. For rooting cuttings I just stick them in a shady spot in spring, I still have to acclimate figs to full sun or the will get sunburn but I no longer worry about things like gnats in the house or my house looking like a grow opp from outside

I'm back finally. It's been a week of drama with no internet connection and no phone at home.

Uh I see the site has completely changed!

I used those two small lights because they have a really small wattage per hour. I can't afford anything else, we are really tight on money and don't want to spend too much for electricity.
These led light seem to really help, the second issue I have to face is that the basement, the only place I can safely use for my seedlings, it's not heated in winter.

Anyway, this year the seedlings are more than two, and the lights aren't sufficient, they are small and don't spread light around they are like mini spotlight. I have a neon lamp but the wattage is higher.
So my little brain had an idea. Building a sort of box with room enough for 10 little pots in it, with inner walls covered with something that reflects light. So I can multiply the effect of the two small lights.

great idea, Sabrina!

Like for instance a moving box with aluminium foil on the inside!!

Mayo

Yep it could work. Aluminum foil could be too fragile anyway it's a good idea, cheap and quick!

The grow light people who study these things say that flat white paint is a better reflector than foil, so if you just paint the inside of the box you'll be better off.

I'm afraid, though, that even with the best reflectors inside, those two lights will not be adequate.

I wouldn't worry too much about the temperature—the box will help hold in any heat from the lights. Besides, warm temperatures combined with low light will guarantee lanky, soft growth.

Uhm well... since this year I can't afford anything else I'll stick to my idea of the box, many thanks Ken for advice on white! Or, if kitchen lamp can help I could keep the pots in the kitchen. We have a 100 watt light bulb and it's on for all the day long since there's not much light in the kitchen. What do you think?

What type of bulb does your kitchen lamp use? L.E.D light's consume very little current so those are more idea for saving energy.

The bulb is a halogen bulb, 100 W. It's a kind of cold light (6000 Kelvin). We are forced to have it on all day long because kitchen is in the shadiest part of the house, the window is small so there's not much natural light.

Goodness a week without internet Sabrina. What did you do with yourself?

Without internet and without phones. It's been like going back to 15 years ago. I work on three website and administer two facebook pages, I was so upset!!!

I came across an interesting video on youtube yesterday where they are growing plants underground using grow lights which I thought was pretty interesting.