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LOL, yeah, people can be suspicious for sure..

I have regular shop type shelving (generally called gorilla racks, that's the namebrand of one of the mfr of these racks) setup Half height.

On the top I've constructed a bamboo structure(box) that serves as support structure to hold the 3 shop lights(yes, just the standard cheap shop light fixtures)..

From the top of the bamboo structure I've just used the regular chains that came with the lights and zip-ties to hold them about 2 foot above the top shelf. (initially they hung much lower, but I've raised them over time to compensate for the growth of the trees). Also to note is that this is all setup right in front of a west window that receives quite a lot of full sun in the afternoons and evenings(when there is full sun that is, western washington is renowned for it's gray skies)..

As far as cost goes, I'm just using the standard 40 watt fixtures and lamps so each uses 80 watts of light * 3 = 240watts * hrs per day * cost of electricity in your area = total cost.

Read this page of Jerry Meislik's website:
http://www.bonsaihunk.us/info/IndoorLight.html
It will give you a better idea of what you need to know about lighting.

I'll get some pictures to show in better detail how I've done it.

But all in all, this system seems to work quite well for me.

I've got Styphnolobium japonicum(pagoda tree), Samanea saman(monkey pod, rain tree), Delonix regia(royal poinciana), Tamarindus indica(tamarind), and one overgrown Adansonia digitata(Baobab).. All doing quite well in this small area under these lights.

14-Mar-2008	#12
Hawthorn bonsaiTALK Craftsman Join Date: Mar-2008 Location: Olympia, Washington Country: USA Posts: 91	LOL, yeah, people can be suspicious for sure.. I have regular shop type shelving (generally called gorilla racks, that's the namebrand of one of the mfr of these racks) setup Half height. On the top I've constructed a bamboo structure(box) that serves as support structure to hold the 3 shop lights(yes, just the standard cheap shop light fixtures).. From the top of the bamboo structure I've just used the regular chains that came with the lights and zip-ties to hold them about 2 foot above the top shelf. (initially they hung much lower, but I've raised them over time to compensate for the growth of the trees). Also to note is that this is all setup right in front of a west window that receives quite a lot of full sun in the afternoons and evenings(when there is full sun that is, western washington is renowned for it's gray skies).. As far as cost goes, I'm just using the standard 40 watt fixtures and lamps so each uses 80 watts of light * 3 = 240watts * hrs per day * cost of electricity in your area = total cost. Read this page of Jerry Meislik's website: http://www.bonsaihunk.us/info/IndoorLight.html It will give you a better idea of what you need to know about lighting. I'll get some pictures to show in better detail how I've done it. But all in all, this system seems to work quite well for me. I've got Styphnolobium japonicum(pagoda tree), Samanea saman(monkey pod, rain tree), Delonix regia(royal poinciana), Tamarindus indica(tamarind), and one overgrown Adansonia digitata(Baobab).. All doing quite well in this small area under these lights.