1000w HPS, distance from plants?

What is a good range to keep by 1000w from my babies (3) while in the veg stage and the flowering stage?

This is my first grow with a 1000w, don't want to over heat them.

how big are the plants? what sized space u growing in?
ive got my thousand a foot above my plants but its got a fan cooling it and they are about 17 and 22 inches tall. check my journal it should show my setup a little. more distance if its not cooled. or u will roast them. without the fan in a 6x4 shed it was over a hundy degrees inside without the fan.

I'm working with the same space, also fanned and vented. I have not potted them yet. I usually do the hand test (if it's not to hot for my hand to bear then the top is fine). I guess my major concern is when they're babies. I'm going to start with clones.

A good rule that I always use and have heard others mention as well is ... Move your lights down as close to the canopy as possible, putting your hand between the tops of the plants and the lights. The heat from the lamp should feel comfortable to the back of your hand. If it's uncomfortably warm then its too hot and you will need to raise the lights
higher untill the heat from the lamp feels comfortable.. This has never failed me and I hope that it works for you.

I agree with the last 2 posts.....

I had a shitload of air circulation, and the lights were originally at about a foot, I backed them off to about 16" as I had considerably cut down the coverage footprint. I was still getting plenty of lumens per sq/ft. If you have good circulation heat shouldn't be a problem, and I believe they can stand more heat than your hand can.

they can withstand plenty of heat, up to 120 degrees but keep in mind that hot temperatures will stun growth is there isn't sufficient cO2 being added.