Della, I think the best approach for you to take right now is to buy a complete fluorescent Gro Light setup that has a HO T5 tube included. HO means 'high output'. It will save you a whole lot of confusion and fustration for now. A single bulb unit tipically costs about $70.00 (AU and US) which might sound like a lot but it's far less than an LED setup would cost. If you are going to be getting into seeding, consider it a long term investment. I am positive you'll never regret it. Sand is running thru the hour glass on your project and it would provide you with something you can use right now. Then, as time goes on, you'll have plenty of time to learn more about the principles of lighting and applications, specs and what not. That's how I approached it. I paid full price for my first unit. Then as time went on, I picked up another and a couple extra tubes at a 'out of business' sale, found another like new at a rummage sale for $15.00, and still another 2 footer new in the box at another rummage sale for $6.00. All HydroFarm units like in the picture I posted earlier. Here's some product information:
HydroFarm
www.hydrofarm.com
Product Code # JSV4
54 watts-120V-60Hz-0.85A ( USA )
5000 initial Lumens
T5 tube rated at 20,000 hour life
It's hard for me to shop Australian souces from here in the States to see who's got what, but HydroFarm has a distributor in New Zeeland. They are available within the UK and you might also see them under the name HydroGarden. But it doesn't matter who's brand it is so long as you get a set up similar to what I recommend.
It is a 4 ft unit. the 'Jumpstart' growlight system in the JSV4 box and includes everything you need to be up and running in 5 minutes or less (except a timer).
Had to add this for kicks: potatos growing in the space station under LED's. Looks like pinklight.
