Congrats with getting started ! Always a good feeling. So you have two of these lights ? One of each spectrum ? Awesome. Going to run the 6500k for veg ? Then switch to 2700k or whats your plan ?
If heat is a worry in your area, consider running 18/6 light schedule for veg. 18 hours on, and 6 hours off. My 6 hours off is normally from 1-7 pm when the day is hottest. My lights run mostly at night, when its a little cooler outside, and easier to manage temps. The warm lights at night will also help with super cold night-time temps.
I wouldn't go that far ! I'm a relative new guy too. Been growing in soil for awhile now, but just started with a hydro system. All new to me, but not nearly as "hard" as I was worried it would be. But I appreciate the comment man. I just happen to have some experience with these huge CFL's and I like to help.
I'm subscribed to this thread, so I aint going anywhere .
I keep my lights CLOSE. I run chain, with hooks so I can constantly adjust them. I keep mine probably 2"-4" away at all times. You can put your hand 1" away from the bulb, and not get burned. Touch the bulb, and its a different story. Since I keep my plants so close, sometimes their growth over night will push them into the bulb some. Get a small burnt spot, and then i adjust the light, or bend the plant. No big deal ! Plants are plenty big enough by this time to not be effected much. Maybe 2-4 leaves have some burns, no biggie. Thing is, with a CFL, the lumens they produce dissipate super quickly over a short distance. Closer the better, without getting burned. The "hand test" always works. Put your hands where the plant is, and see how warm it is. If its too hot for your hand, its too hot for the plant. Adjust as needed. Like I said, a good 2" -4" works great for me.
At 12" you will have some stretching going on. For the first time, I tried a "stretch" to get more space between the nodes. 1 24 hour cycle the light was about 12" maybe more, and gave me a decent stretch and thinned it out a little.
