looking for grow light shelf stand

Don't know if this is the correct forum to put this in or not...but it's the closest I could find right now. I'd like to buy a plant stand that has grow lights attached above each shelf. I need it to be 2-4 shelves tall, and it needs to hold at least 4 flats of plants. I've been searching my seed catalogs and so far I've found price ranges from $300.00 and up. Does anyone know if I can find one of these any cheaper somewhere? I know my hubby could build one, but I've been waiting a couple years now for that to happen and I don't plan on waiting any longer. Any help would be appreciated, folks! Thanks!!! AuntyB

I've never seen them cheaper than what you have found. A lot of the cost is in the special trays they have to put under the flats and in the "living room" look. I've seen them made from white PVC for about $60, not counting the light fixtures. You could build it to hold one, two or even three fixtures per shelf, whatever you want. All you need is the tubing, some elbows and T's, casters and some glue. A friend of mine, who is female and 57, built hers in 3 hours after drawing up some plans. I personally would buy one, but you're right, they ain't cheap!!

Patrick

AuntyB, here are some ideas for plant stands:

Here's a thread about a super-inexepensive unit at Big Lots: http://davesgarden.com/showthread/147200.html (There are also some very good ideas in there for buying one of those cheap metal shelving units and some lights to create your own)

This seed vendor has free plans for a do-it-yourself light stand from PVC: http://gardenwatchdog.com/c/395/ (I made something similar last year for around $60 including lights, and if you can wield a hacksaw to cut PVC, you can assemble this yourself, honest!)

And I saw several different styles of moderately-priced plant shelf systems on another site: http://gardenwatchdog.com/c/603/ (Probably other vendors have similar products, I just remembered seeing these.)

I bought one of those like baker racks about 3' long and 2' deep at Wal Mart or Home Depo (I forget) and then bought the grow lights separate and attached them under each shelf with wire, plugged them all into a shock strip and voila! I had wonderful luck last year! Whole thing cost about $75 - I do use the seed starters from garden.com and have a number of them, but they are easy to clean and reusable

haighr....That's a great idea! Sounds like something even THIS feeble old bird can do! ;-) Who needs the hubby's help anyway, eh? *lol* Here's a couple questions for ya tho...how tall is that bakers rack? How many shelves? How far apart are the shelves? Now about those seed starters at garden.com....what are those???
Thanks also to everyone else for the help! I'm really greatful for so many responses so fast!!!! AuntyB

(((((( AuntyB))))))
GREAT to see you !!!
I put an answer and picture for you on the photo forum. Here it is:
http://davesgarden.com/showthread/171490.html

We had a grow light discussion on the brug forum too http://davesgarden.com/showthread/165796.html

My husband just built me a beautiful one that we got the plans out of the most recent issue of countryside magazine. It's a magazine about farmsteading. You should be able to fine it at your grocery store. Hope this helps.

I purchased a bunch of that plastic coated wire shelving for closets. I plan on putting mine right on the wall tied into the studs. It was real cheap for the parts about $45. and the only tools I'll need are a drill, level, and a small bolt cutter. I think I might drape some plastic down the wall to protect it.

Mine is made out of the vinyl coated wire shelving.I have 4 shelves and the floor,but the top shelf is for hanging the lights from.This means I have 4 spaces counting my utility room floor that are 4 foot long.When I built it,I only had one shoplite per shelf and the cost was just over 100 dollars.I added another shoplite to each shelf last year so there are 4 bulbs per shelf now. Cost just under 150.00.easy to assemble and stays up year round.

DH just bought me a 3 tiered 4 foot long 2 feet wide chrome stand with the lights (not tubes) attached. The lights are adjustable and the shelf trays are deep enough to catch spills as well as removable. It's attractive too!
Home Depot.. 50 percent off... 244.00 Canadian dollars which is about 180.00 USD. Try your local Depot.

Granny!!!!!!!!! Poppysue!!!!!!!!! So good to see you two again! I've missed you soooooo much! So good to be back! Thanks for all your help too! LuvYa's; AuntyB

Aunty - I'll post a pic this weekend, the seedstarting kits came from gardener's supply company -They are the Accelerated Propagation System, consists of an insulated growing tray with reservoir, pegboard stand supports growing tray, capillary matting draws up water like a wick and greenhouse cover holds in the heat. They are about $9.50 each but reusable. The stand is plastic coated (like the closet shelving) and stands about 4 ft. high shelves about 12" apart, with the APS system growing kits and the lights hanging under the shelves, it is perfect as the lights are only about 4" from the plants. I had zinnias and cleome and marigolds that got 6' tall last year! Can't wait to get it out and start this year. Last year was the first and got a little over anxious and began in February, but then had a lot of transplanting to do, this year will try to be more patient and wait until at least March 1!!!