How High!?

KeemGod

Well-Known Member
Was wondering how high I should hang my light over my seedlings? Right now I have it 3 1/2ft. above them. Someone said that I should move it closer. How much truth is there to that?:joint:
 

simpsonsampson420

Well-Known Member
what kind of light are you using?? if its a 400 pluss watt hid your fine if you are just at the seedling stage... if its a floro you should stick it about a foot over your seedlings... either way as your plant grows bigger you should move your lights as close as possible without burning your plants...

good luck
 

joker152

Well-Known Member
very true.... you want your lights as close as you can get them without burning the plants
 

simpsonsampson420

Well-Known Member
fine at 3 1/2 feet i mean.... maybe move it 6 inches closer.. but its fine where its at if it is a metal halide or hps... oh.. and if you have a 250w HID or less move it to about 2 feet above the seedlings...
 

DownOnWax

Well-Known Member
First of all, what kind of light are you using?

Actually, any kind of light can be closer than 3 1/2 feet. I use a combination of fluorescent tubes for the first part of vegetative growth (first 3- 4 weeks), then I go with a Metal Halide HID for 2-3 more weeks, then finish them off with an High Pressure Sodium in flowering.

With the fluorescent tubes I get the light as close as possible (1-6 inches away).
With the Metal Halide I keep the plants at least 18 inches away.
And with the HPS, I keep the light at least 12 inches above the tops.

You want to get the lights as close as possible without burning the plant.
 

KeemGod

Well-Known Member
Nah! I finally set up my 400watt hps, but I'm using my 400 mH right now. So should I leave it where it is?
 

DownOnWax

Well-Known Member
Same here, 400 watt.

Get them as close as possible without burning them. The Metal Halide will be hotter than the HPS but the rule of thumb is, if it is to hot for your hand then it it is too hot for your plants.

Test it and adjust frequently.
 

WeedWhisperer

Well-Known Member
I agree with down, also to take in consideration fans, what are you using for ventilation?

Even a simple box fan blowing the hot air away from your plant will help alot. The best way to tell is lol...

to put your hand just above your talest plant and feel how hot it is... or put a thermometer your Ideal temp is around 78 degrees

you dont want it any hotter than 90 and this is all in farenheit
 

DownOnWax

Well-Known Member
Never thought about it like that! Thanks! Now I know that I can put it a little closer.
The thing you gotta remember is that in a small indoor grow, EVERY little thing can make the difference!

Stay on top of the grow, check it everyday, keep a journal, and adjust accordingly.
 

KeemGod

Well-Known Member
This is what the room looks like! I can't tell the cfm of the fan that I have on the ballast, but that and the fan that is on the floor with the humidifier is all the ventilation I have. Any suggestions?
 

DownOnWax

Well-Known Member
Get some sort of reflective film like Mylar or Panda film.

It makes a big difference in my opinion, like I said you want to make every little thing count and reflective film will make the most out of the light you have.

I fucking hate putting up Mylar but it really does work :)
 

DownOnWax

Well-Known Member
Also, really make sure that your lights are not too close right now.

It looks like you are still in the seedling stage so I would not worry about moving the light until they get to 2 weeks or so. They are VERY vulnerable to light when they are young.
 

KeemGod

Well-Known Member
I was reading the faq's and this guy said that U could use the shiny Wrapping paper if ya $ not right. Forgot the name of it, but is there any truth to that?
 

WeedWhisperer

Well-Known Member
I use poster boards lol, never had a problem, whatever material it is you dont want bends or crinkles in it, that causes hot spots.
If your making your own make sure they are square and flat it will distribute the light more evenly
 
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