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This will be my first year in Chicago overwintering my tropical bonsais indoor under artificial lights. And I concerned with the temperature under those lights . I have Jaboticabas, Ficus, Schefelera, Bouganville and Brazilian rain trees. My setup is made of two shelfs, one over the other, each is about 48x20 inches. In each level I have FOUR T5 lights, 4 foot, 50watts each, for a total of 200watts per shelf. Even being fluorescent lights, about 3 inches the lights the temperature rises to about 92 degrees Fahrenheit. It feels too high for me, specially if I leave them 12-16 hours per day in these conditions. If I put a fan on the side (got this recommendation), temperature falls to about 79 degrees, which feels better... but then I concerned the constant wind will dry the trees considerably (even with a humidity tray).

Of course distancing the trees from the lights will lower the temperature but it will also weaken the amount of light. I read trees need to be quite close to artificial lights.

Another idea is to only use 2 lamps (instead of 4) per shelf. Not sure how to calculate the right amount of light required.

Any recommendation? Is 92 too high?

Thanks a lot

Anyways, place your hand on the top of the tree. If it is too hot for you, raise the lights higher and try again. ive got a compact fluorescent light of 300watt. I placed it 20 cms (8 inches) above my ficus. It is warm but not hot at all. It gets 12 hours a day and thriving. These are not metal halide lights nor sodiums.. they don't give out that much heat. Thats the advantage of them.

Oh and if you are really concerned about the heat. You can buy a cool tube for them. They reduce the heat of the light but not the efficency

I overwinter tropicals , ficus, olive, I leander and bougainville, without artificial light, and my winters are darker than chicago..

Just put them in the window with most light, keep on the dry side and you should be fine

He/She already bought the lights. He just wants to get the best out of it..