What light should I use to start my seedlings ?

[Pauly1118]

Hello all, I’m new to the site snd ive finally completed my grow room after 7 long months of saving and buying, bills , etc etc

but enough of that

I bought 15 seeds last week and it’s finally time to germinate.. which I’ll be doing Tuesday.
I have 4x 1000 watt HPS lights and was thinking about buying this light in the picture..
Should I use just one of the 1000 watts instead ?
if so, what height should I use put the light at ? I’ll be starting them off in this equipment

 

[Southernontariogrower]

Would work!

 

[StareCase]

The T5 will germinate. Keep the T5 about 8" - 10" above to start. Once the bean has popped, you can lower that light a bit.

Were you going to VEG with the HPS or use MH bulbs until you go 12/12?

 

[Pauly1118]

Would work!

Thanks

The T5 will germinate. Keep the T5 about 8" - 10" above to start. Once the bean has popped, you can lower that light a bit.

Were you going to VEG with the HPS or use MH bulbs until you go 12/12?

I don’t have MH bulbs, although I heard they’re better for veg.. I only have the HPS lights at the moment.. will they really make that much of a difference?

If I buy the MH bulbs ? Should I use one of my 1000 watts with a MH to start my seedlings ? Or would the T5 fluorescent bulb be good ? OR should I buy a small LED light to start the seedlings ?

 

[StareCase]

... I don’t have MH bulbs, although I heard they’re better for veg.. I only have the HPS lights at the moment.. will they really make that much of a difference? ...

It's not advised but you could use HPS for VEG. You will find that the plants will get taller, lankier and typically end up with fewer bud sites than if you VEG with an MH bulb.

... If I buy the MH bulbs ? Should I use one of my 1000 watts with a MH to start my seedlings ? Or would the T5 fluorescent bulb be good ? OR should I buy a small LED light to start the seedlings ? ...

The fluorescent light should be perfect for germination and getting your sprout going - cloning and popping beans does not require lots of light. Once she's popped and you can see a node or two on her, the fluorescents have done their job. When germinating, I'll keep the sprout under 46W of CFL until they are this size:



At that time, you can switchover to the higher wattage MH bulbs. Start about 34" - 36" above - then as she shows that she is adjusting to the higher wattage lights, you can gradually lower them until the hanging height is 20" - 22" above.

 

[Pauly1118]

It's not advised but you could use HPS for VEG. You will find that the plants will get taller, lankier and typically end up with fewer bud sites than if you VEG with an MH bulb.

The fluorescent light should be perfect for germination and getting your sprout going - cloning and popping beans does not require lots of light. Once she's popped and you can see a node or two on her, the fluorescents have done their job. When germinating, I'll keep the sprout under 46W of CFL until they are this size:

View attachment 4897930

At that time, you can switchover to the higher wattage MH bulbs. Start about 34" - 36" above - then as she shows that she is adjusting to the higher wattage lights, you can gradually lower them until the hanging height is 20" - 22" above.

Thanks. You’re the best. Appreciate the reply. That’s exactly what I’m going to do then. Buy the T5 and 4x MH lights

since I’m using digital ballasts 400/600/1000 watt

my room is only 8x8 and people been giving me shit Abbott using 4000 watts HPS in there. Should I buy 4x 600 watt MH to get my 12 plants going first? Then switch to the 4x 1000 watt HPS when I begin to flower ? Ya know, to save a bit of cash and it seems like it’ll work just as good as 1000s since it’s just VEG, right ?

 

[MickFoster]

T5 for me.

 

[MICHI-CAN]

Thanks. You’re the best. Appreciate the reply. That’s exactly what I’m going to do then. Buy the T5 and 4x MH lights

since I’m using digital ballasts 400/600/1000 watt

my room is only 8x8 and people been giving me shit Abbott using 4000 watts HPS in there. Should I buy 4x 600 watt MH to get my 12 plants going first? Then switch to the 4x 1000 watt HPS when I begin to flower ? Ya know, to save a bit of cash and it seems like it’ll work just as good as 1000s since it’s just VEG, right ?

I ran 2 600W MH in veg and replaced bulbs with 1000W HPS for flower. Was sufficient.

Starters take very little light. I use an 18" LED at 4" and then a 2'x2' flat panel @ 40W. Good for 2-3 weeks. Then play with HID at a distance. An hour at too much light will kill them. LOL.

Best wishes.

 

[Pauly1118]

once I transplant, I’m using 12x 5 gallon air pots with 70% coco 30% perlite..

Next question is... should I make a DIY DWC (12 gallon yellow/black tote with 12x 3” net pots with an air pump and air stones)

or should I use what I posted in the other pictures ? The 7” high dome and tray ?

 

[Pauly1118]

Would this T5 light be sufficient ? For my 12 seedlings till I transplant and put them under my big boy lights ?

 

[Pauly1118]

I could make a bigger version for around the same price ? Or should I buy this cute lil thing? Lol

 

[xtsho]

You're going to be setting up a grow using 4 x 1000 watt HPS and you're asking these kinds of questions?

once I transplant, I’m using 12x 5 gallon air pots with 70% coco 30% perlite..

Next question is... should I make a DIY DWC (12 gallon yellow/black tote with 12x 3” net pots with an air pump and air stones)

or should I use what I posted in the other pictures ? The 7” high dome and tray ?

Almost $16 for a damn standard nursery tray? Is that for real?

Good luck with your grow.

 

[Pauly1118]

I’m going to be completely finished with my 8x8 grow room tomorrow and also putting my seeds in water tomorrow.. and I’ll be posting pictures of my entire setup also I’ll be doing a grow log if any of y’all are interested in seeing what I can do with such an advanced $5000 set up.. first time growing, ever. I got some pretty good equipment

 

[MICHI-CAN]

I could make a bigger version for around the same price ? Or should I buy this cute lil thing? Lol

Just a starter tray, dome or cover and comfortable temps with your mix for starter. Will take some foliar in a week. But cheaper and less complicated. LOL.

K.I.S.S. until familiar enough to get complicated.

 

[MICHI-CAN]

You're going to be setting up a grow using 4 x 1000 watt HPS and you're asking these kinds of questions?



Almost $16 for a damn standard nursery tray? Is that for real?

Good luck with your grow.

I have a 4' stack with inserts for the asking and local pickup. And 16? WTF. $5 is expensive here. Domes are insane. $6.99. Have short ones for days. LOL.

 

[Pauly1118]

You're going to be setting up a grow using 4 x 1000 watt HPS and you're asking these kinds of questions?



Almost $16 for a damn standard nursery tray? Is that for real?

Good luck with your grow.

No need to be rude bro. I’m new, what’s wrong with asking for information? Ain’t that what I’m supposed to do ? I may have heard this and that but maybe I want other outputs.

 

[Pauly1118]

Just a starter tray, dome or cover and comfortable temps with your mix for starter. Will take some foliar in a week. But cheaper and less complicated. LOL.

K.I.S.S. until familiar enough to get complicated. View attachment 4898114View attachment 4898115

Thanks. That’s what I’ll go with. I already have trays domes and all that but they are way too short for my liking. When I ordered I thought they were taller. I like the idea of a 7 inch dome. Also greetings to another Michigander lol

 

[MICHI-CAN]

No need to be rude bro. I’m new, what’s wrong with asking for information? Ain’t that what I’m supposed to do ? I may have heard this and that but maybe I want other outputs.

I see your interpretation. Honestly believe it is just brutally honest. @xtsho knows his stuff and not the "Richard" we perceive on occasion.

Please have some patience with us as we would not be talking had we not shown any. LOL.

Lighten up.

 

[xtsho]

No need to be rude bro. I’m new, what’s wrong with asking for information? Ain’t that what I’m supposed to do ? I may have heard this and that but maybe I want other outputs.

Rude? You're starting a grow with 4000 watts of light and you're asking about a 20 watt 2 ft T5. I'm not being rude I'm just shocked. Sounds like you're going big without knowing what you even need.

You need more than that 2 ft light that's for sure. Or what are you going to do? Crank the 1000's for some 2 inch seedlings.

I don't even want to bother with this so I'll get out of your thread since I'm being rude. Good luck with your $5000 grow.

 

[Pauly1118]

Which one of these lights would you guys recommend? For seedlings Ofcorse. They’re all in the $50-100 range and don’t want to spend more than that