T5's 8-bulb versus 4-bulb
 

I was planning to buy two 4-bulb, 48-inch lights to hang over wire racks, but I found someone who has two 8-bulb, 48-inch light fixture, one-month old (or so he says) for a good price. Will this be too much light? My plan is to hang lights over wire shelving racks, one fixture above the rack unit and the second fixture about mid-way to the floor, underneath the first.

I have a variety of orchid types in my small collection, but of course I know I'll be adding many more plants! I have plants now from every level of light requirement, from low-light phals to high-light vandas. I don't have good natural light in my house. They're in a north-facing room in the cloudy northwest.

You can never have too much light! More light = more plants! The real question you should be asking is, how will members of your household react to this particular truism, and less importantly although perhaps more concerning, how will this effect your electricity bill AND will you one day open your door to the DEA demanding to see where you're growing your pot :)

LOL! Since my "roomates" all have four legs and tails, I ignore their opinions unless its regarding flavors of kibble, walks, and the quality of cat litter (very important to listen to their opinions on this last one!).

Electricity costs have entered my mind, and the DEA? Luckily, my windows almost all point away from the street. I guess I should be worried that my whole house will appear to glow though, and will be easily spotted by helicopters since light will beam up through the skylights.