How close to the lights????

inspiron700

Hey I need some help guys. I'm starting my first grow in one of those rubbermaid grow boxes. I have 6 26W CFLs in there...how close to the lights do I need to put my freshly planted seeds to get them going?

2stoned

as close as possible without burning the plants...depends on the heat an ventilation...peace

Mogie

If you can without heat problems within an inch or so.

Squirt

^^^ Exactly what she said.

knottyd

If they havent poped out of the soil then it doesnt need to be too close.. I start off a few inches and move closer everyday. If you have a good fan then after a day or two i'd put them as close as I can get it but if they havent sprouted yet then no biggie right now. just make sure your heat and ventalation is good so you dont fry them from the start. light is good but too much light too fast isnt

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Hobo

in some cases, with floro tubes they can be actually touching the bulbs. but a good rule of thumb is, if its too hot for your hand its too hot for the plants. usually within an inch or 2 of the tops of the plants.

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green_nobody

with CFLs it is a big No-No that plant parts touch the bulb - they will be burned after a short time. Floro tubes tend to be a bit cooler then CFLs, so if they are well cooled by the airflow of you fan plant parts can touch the tube for some time without burning - but only for some time.

the general rule of thumb used to be that you want to keep the lamp a good inch away from the plant and should never more then 2-3" away to prevent stretching. since several strong CFLs in a small space create quiet some heat you have to worry about proper ventilation just as much as if you would use some other lighting method.

and for all that come out now that an CFL doesn't get hot at all: let a 10W CFL run for 2-3h and then grab around it - my bet: in less then 30 seconds you will be running for some cold water to ease your burn!

peace

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Hobo

When i used to use primarily floro tubes, i would position the lights JUUUST over the tops, and then let them grow into the light overnight then move it up slightly, that kept the inter-node space nice and tight, and didnt burn the plant at all. the center of the floro tube is the coolest part, while the outside edges generate some heat.

__________________

MEDICATE \m/ >¿< \m/

www.greenlightnin.com - The best in Hydroponic Nutrients.

My Current Grow Journal...
http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/hobo...-welcome-2641/


PS i am a pathological liar, and have illusions of grandeur. I post pictures of pot plants i found on the internet and i have never nor will i ever consider the cultivation of marijuana, as it is illegal.

green_nobody

sure, if you use long floro tubes, but some like me use short floro tubes in veg boxes and stealth cabinets - with those even the center will get quiet hot - enough to damage the leaf, but not yet burn it.

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thenoffya

Probably more than ten watts, actually. If its cold in my room, I can hang on to my 30 watt bulbs until I get bored. However, if you only have the one exhaust fan in there, I would definitely keep them a couple (2-3) inches or more away, but if you have another fan blowing across the top then you can try risking closer.


I am currently using one of those boxes, and I had very little stretching even though mine were at least 5 inches away at all times.

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