Thanks to everyone's previous posts on fluorescent lighting, I finally got motivated to get one.
I started with a 36" x 14" stand from Lowe's.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0209c.jpg

The space in front of my balcony doors won't fit a 4' long stand without getting in the way.
The 27" height on this stand was just right for the lights to hang 10-12 inches over the leaves.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/P1000051.jpg

The biggest pain was getting the right light fixtures. Most fixtures come in 24" or 48" - especially the cheap shop lights from Home Depot. I decided to go with T8 lights after reading all the posts. So I got two 36" T8 fixtures from Grainger.

The fixtures came as bare striplights so I had to add reflectors. I found an Aquamirror 36" expandable reflector which is basically 2 halves that slide together to make it "expandable". So I unscrewed them and used one half on the outside of each fixture.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/P1000053.jpg

After a disastrous attempt trying to order bulbs from 1000bulbs.com, I found Atlanta Light Bulbs. They had the 36" T8s at reasonable prices. The fixtures are rated for 43w, but I ended up with F25T8's because they were cheap. I have two 3000K bulbs, one 4100K, and one 6500K.
I would appreciate any feedback on a better mix of bulbs.

I also added one of those timers that Heather seems to hate so much :D

Looks like a great setup, Marcus. Now the waiting game begins and see how well your plants grow and bloom.

great set up marcus!!!

Looks great,should work well

Looks great. I like your reflectors.

I'm thinking of hanging mylar sheeting on the back of my orchid carts. I don't know if it would help a lot but I think my colored walls are not a good background for my basement plants. They are under banks of 4 - 48" bulbs. 3 - 48" 2 tier carts. I also have HID lights in that room and it may help reflect some of that light.

When I decorated that room I had no plans to make it a 'Grow Room'. It has blue walls and very light carpeting. Now I have about 300 or more plants in 13 - 22" X 48" trays under lights in there. I wouldn't have any place to put the plants while it would be repainted. Along with others, I have 92 catts. in there. They grow like there is no tomorrow and I get lots of blooms. Last month I transplanted about 25 catt seedlings, which I bought a year ago, into S/H. They all look great so far.

Some day I will get around to taking a picture of that area. It is difficult to take a pic of a whole room when it is so full. My condo is getting so full of orchids that I no longer have room for overnight guests. It's good that I live alone...no room for a husband.

Grandma

I'm positive you will enjoy the results

Nice and Feng Shui! I like it! Very appealing to the eye! Compared to my setup for sure!

I also added one of those timers that Heather seems to hate so much :D

My days of lurid timer hating may be over. I got smart home controllers for X-mas!
If it actually goes according to plan, I think I'll be able to control all my lights and fans remotely, from the laptop from now on!!

(who knew these things existed??)

Marcus Your set up looks GREAT!
Way to go, can't wait to see the blooming results. :D

Nice setup...I have a couple of the same metal shelves from Lowe's