Seedlings stretching under 400w MH??

[jameraquanza]

All of my seedlings (dna genetics pure afghani) are stretching under a 400w MH with brand new bulb....the light is about 3 ft above the seedlings and they are stretching...it seems too hot to go any further down...are they stretching just because they aren't close enough to the light?

 

[itzCESAR*]

if you had a good fan on the lamp I don't see why you wouldn't be able to bring the light closer. Pics would help

 

[grassified]

Yes, pics would help very much. I vote for the idea of putting the fan in there. Just make sure you dont point the fan on the seedlings and towards the hps light more.

 

[BCtrippin]

How old are the seedlings? A 400w really is a lot of light for seedlings. Put them under a fluorescent tube or some CFLs till they grow a few sets of true leafs, then use the MH.

And yeah, 3 ft is a bit high, No aircooled hood? At least a fan on the bulb will help.

 

[randallv]

yea I would use a florecent for a week or two. you can put them 4 inces away with no heat problems. Or just let them strecth hold them up with a stick or somthing till they gain strength. eventually

 

[jameraquanza]

How old are the seedlings? A 400w really is a lot of light for seedlings. Put them under a fluorescent tube or some CFLs till they grow a few sets of true leafs, then use the MH.

And yeah, 3 ft is a bit high, No aircooled hood? At least a fan on the bulb will help.

They're about 2 days old....I guess i will take the glass shield off and put a fan blowing on the bulb and lower the light. Does the glass shield take lumens away? I have a 400w hps also with a glass shield on it, maybe I should take the glass shield off and put a fan on that bulb too?

 

[itzCESAR*]

It probably just bends the light at most, but I don't think it would take lumens unless smudged or dirty. I would take it off though

 

[BCtrippin]

They're about 2 days old....I guess i will take the glass shield off and put a fan blowing on the bulb and lower the light. Does the glass shield take lumens away? I have a 400w hps also with a glass shield on it, maybe I should take the glass shield off and put a fan on that bulb too?

If you dont have a fan pulling air from the light then I would remove the glass, its just gonna hold in all that heat.

yea I would use a florecent for a week or two. you can put them 4 inces away with no heat problems. Or just let them strecth hold them up with a stick or somthing till they gain strength. eventually

Yeah with fluorescent tubes you can put them like 1-2 inches away. Dont let them stretch, no offense, but thats just stupid. Its not good for the plant, once they get over stretched they are kinda screwed.