Lately, I've been turning over the idea of trying to grow some Paphs/Phrags here at school. I decided the only way to insure health of the plants would to have them under lights, but I wasn't willing to pay $200+ asked for many stands. Also, I needed something that I could easily take apart when I have to go home/move/etc. A few minutes ago I drew a little preliminary sketch and this is what I came up:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5413/lightthingy7iu.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lightthingy7iu.jpg)

It's made out of wood, and has 3 main parts: the top fixture box, the 4 legs, and the platform piece. The platform piece slides down over the 4 legs and sits upon the metal brackets. Then, the box piece sits on the 4 legs and the legs are stabilized within little "compartments" within the box piece. Absolutely no tools reguired for assembly/disassembly, and it shouldn't be very expensive to make. It'll probably use bulbs in the 36 inch range, if that gives an idea for size.

I was inspired by my friend's homemade setup: http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3300/img1391medium5oh.th.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1391medium5oh.jpg)

Like it? Hate it? Suggestions?

36" setups are going to be more expensive than 24" and 48" setups because the bulbs and light fixtures are harder to find. Fixtures alone cost almost twice as much as the more common sizes...

You can find easy to assemble (no tools) stands in all 3 of those sizes for about $20 from Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, etc.

There's quite a few old threads of other people's setups in the Forum if you do a search.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Post pics too :Grin:

this site gave me some good ideas. rusty

http://www.collins-consulting.org/orchids/orchid.shtml#shelf

For about $80, you can get a 4-foot pre-made system from hydrofarm. Here's a link to their info (although they sell through dealers, not direct):

http://www.hydrofarm.com/content/growlights.html#green

Or, I would just wander on down to HD, Lowes, etc. and get a 4' 2-tube fixture for $20-30. It is very important to get one with a reflector in order to get as much light from the lamps as possible. I have about half of my paphs growing under 32-watt fluorescents and they seem very happy.

--Stephen

All of this information has been very helpful, thank you all very much. This is exactly what I need... I want criticism so I know what's best! I think I may end up building a small unit (24") for when I'm at school over the summer doing research because I'll be in a regular dorm room(don't want to make my roommate mad). At the end of the summer I'll go to Lowe's and buy the parts needed to make a 48" (because I'll be in an aparment which is a LOT bigger than a standard dorm). Also, I'd love to hear any more suggestions!

They also sell metal shelving that would provide three tiers of plants... The shelves are 48" wide...

If You really want to go with cheap lites WalMart has 4 footers for about $10.00 I've had some that have lasted be a few years now. put them on a cheap timer and you just forget about them till it's time to change the bulbs. These lights have lasted me longer than the more expensive ones tthat I have purchased. If you go with a four ft. wire shelving unit you can secure the lights to the bottom of the shelves and have a perfect fit.Good luck

I made one for starting garden seedlings out of PVC piping/fittings for pretty cheap. 48" is the way to go, the lights/fixtures are much cheaper and easier to come by (plus they hold more plants). I'll have to get a photo for you.

Jon

Thanks for all the advice! As always, more advice is welcome. I really like the setup in this thread(http://www.slipperorchidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3359&highlight=light+stand) so I'll probably end up copying that general idea. Looks fairly inexpensive yet durable, portable, and effective.

Hehehe...

I started with one of those Lowe's bakers racks as well. I got the biggest one they had and it still only housed my plants for about two years, then it snowballed exponentially into other areas. Now the rack houses display plants for holidays and holds more and more fish tanks(a hobby quickly sucking me in as well...I blame the rack). Here's a pic of it before the last three fish tanks got set up...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g216/barjon1/rack1.jpg

Jon

Here is a picture of my old rack setup with flouros. I built the shelves myself so they aren't the most beautiful pieces of work, but they worked!
http://forum.theorchidsource.com/attachments/GROWSPACEUPATE1.jpg