There is a point where you get a bit of overkill. Two fixtures are better than one. Are three, four or five going to provide any real difference in plant performance? I tend to doubt it especially considering the fact that you need to raise the lights as the plants grow and here are other means like plant spacing or using reflective surfaces to get light through an increasingly dense plant canopy. When you are building this stand, John, you would be better advised to adjust the stand dimentions so that it will meet your future needs. Most of the double bulb fixtures that people use are 4 foot long. Therefore, I'd make the length of the stand slightly longer so that the fixtures arent pinched within the framework as you will need to raise or lower them. iprefer a dowel rod above each fixture with finishing nails inserted in the ends. Then with 2 sets of chain draped over each end of the structure you can simply slip the nail out of one chain link and into another to adjust height. But your 30" width is a bit confusing. Standard flats are 11" x 22". Newly germinated plants (first two weeks) need to have the lights just above the leaf canopy and so placing two trays/shelf parallel with the light tubes makes good sense. Once plants are forming a second set of leaves you should transplant them into larger cell packs unless you have already wasted space under lights by starting seeds in larger cells. My point is that at this next growth stage you can get reasonably good light coverage by placing 5 trays/shelf perpendicular to the light tubes. For this tray positioning a 23" wide shelf will work fine. You can staple a 3/8" cord around the shelf perimeter and just cut open a larger garbage bag as a liner. The cord will keep water contained nd the plastic will hold small amounts of water until it evaporates. I would not recommend watering plants on the shelves. You'll need to get them out from beneath the lights to do a good job and it can get a bit messy. I like to use a combination of watering methods: Bottom watering by wicking action, sprinkling can and mister for fragile plants. All of these watering methods are best done in different location. Once trays are allowed to drain of excess water set them centrally on an opened section of your favorite newspaper and by extending your arms under the tray and usung your hands to fold up the opposite newspaper corners around the tray corners you can transport trys accross your house without drips as long as you gently tip the tray away from you toward the folded corners. I can provide you with some guidelines for different 3 tier stands. I have two wooden frame stands, one simply cheap PVC frame stand and a ceiling supported 33 flat setup that get me through the "Free heat" phase of plant starting. After that the trade off of supplemental heat for free light begins to get stressing.

I have pared down my baking significantly as far as cookies and treats go. When the kids were home I made tins and trays of cookies for bus drivers, teachers' lounges, older folks in our neighborhood who no longer baked for themselves, etc.. My group of 6 close women friends looked so forward to them because they didn't bake. Then the kids grew up and moved, we moved from the old neighborhood and all my women friends started South Beach, WW, or Sugar Busters diets and I didn't want to undermine their efforts. A couple years ago when my Mom was diagnosed w/ breast cancer (her 2nd time) right after T-Giving I was overwhelmed w/ her care over the holidays and just didn't do the baking that year. The world did not come to an end, and I discovered that I could choose to keep the tradition - or not. These days I bake when I choose to, when I have guests and when asked to bring dessert to a gathering. Like someone above noted, it's not like in years past when people really seemed to treasure the homemade baked gift. The cost in time and ingredients seems greater than in the past. I'm delighted to bake for those I know enjoy it, but I don't dole out the homemade treats the way I used to.

Actually, I have been looking at antique fixtures. Refurbished and otherwise. The recommendation was for total wattage per fixture. I was looking at 3 light or more. It also matters whether the shade is enclosed or open, naturally the enclosed would retain heat hence a 100w bulb could probably blow it up?? And it would make the bulbs die sooner. I'm just trying to find a fixture that I like, that "goes" with the house, will provide enough light AND that I can afford. My house was built in 1880 so I can go with any year after that that I like. Or I suppose I could go earlier with the assumption that I was into antiques in the 1880's and decorated my house with them. However that would likely be lamps and candles. I get enough of that during our persistent power outages.

I'm in agreement on the pendants...don't get the matched ones. One of the reason that chandy is so fabulous and will be in your house is that it appears to be a one of type of thing. It flows well with the pendants and will help deleniate the dining area from the kitchen nicely. I'm so glad we can be friends now...cuz honey you got some great freaking lighting taste. As to that one for the foyer you didn't get....have you considered a divorce???? heh heh Ok keep the man but sheesh....a lamp is a lifetime...a man....ok well they are too but the lamp will never lose it's hair :oP My chicken: (and no my house is NOT tuscan...It's just eclectic): The foyer lamp I let get away (but now I have a house for it so it's gonna be MINE!!!)