Lighting for seedlings

[Clevelandblazn5]

I have my seeds germinated and I read to use flourecent lighting when they first sprout but I have a mh light I was wondering how far away from the plants it should be since it gives off more heat than flourecent lights and also how long should the growing stage last until I switch to my hp sodium light for flowering? Any help would be greatly apreciated

 

[moash]

I have my seeds germinated and I read to use flourecent lighting when they first sprout but I have a mh light I was wondering how far away from the plants it should be since it gives off more heat than flourecent lights and also how long should the growing stage last until I switch to my hp sodium light for flowering? Any help would be greatly apreciated

u switch to flower when u r ready,but a month is a good time
i would put the light as far as possible considering the wattage

 

[Dirtyboy]

What size is the mh light? 25 watt or 1000 watter. You can grow them for 30 days to 120 days before you switch to 12x12. 50 days is good. You have to consider your space they will grow in.

 

[Clevelandblazn5]

u switch to flower when u r ready,but a month is a good time
i would put the light as far as possible considering the wattage

Well the shelf that I'm hanging the light from is about 6 feet off the ground and it's a 600 watt light so should I just put it as high to the shelf as I can? And once they start growing bigger should I keep it that height or lower it down to about 20 inches

 

[Clevelandblazn5]

It's in a closet it's about 7 ft wide by 2ft deep 600 watt mh light

 

[Babs34]

Well the shelf that I'm hanging the light from is about 6 feet off the ground and it's a 600 watt light so should I just put it as high to the shelf as I can? And once they start growing bigger should I keep it that height or lower it down to about 20 inches

Why waste the money/energy it takes using the MH? I suggest only using flourescents for your seedlings.

 

[moash]

Well the shelf that I'm hanging the light from is about 6 feet off the ground and it's a 600 watt light so should I just put it as high to the shelf as I can? And once they start growing bigger should I keep it that height or lower it down to about 20 inches

thats a pretty large light for little seedlings....but if its what u r gonna use then yes put it all the way up until they can take it
and have good ventilation

 

[Clevelandblazn5]

Why waste the money/energy it takes using the MH? I suggest only using flourescents for your seedlings.

I already have the lights should I go buy flourecents if so what do I need and how long should I keep them under the flourecents ? I would rather use the mh would it have a negative effect on my plants

 

[Dirtyboy]

Go buy a shop light. Keep them under there for 3 weeks or so.

 

[Clevelandblazn5]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clevelandblazn5
Well the shelf that I'm hanging the light from is about 6 feet off the ground and it's a 600 watt light so should I just put it as high to the shelf as I can? And once they start growing bigger should I keep it that height or lower it down to about 20 inches
thats a pretty large light for little seedlings....but if its what u r gonna use then yes put it all the way up until they can take it
and have good ventilation




How old to the plants have to be until I can lower the light and what height do you reccomend when I lower it?

 

[Dirtyboy]

4 to 5 feet away. Figure all they need is a shop light so at that distance they will be good and not to hot.

 

[Whitelightning]

What if my plants are 2 inches tall, and I am using a getto rigged system: ice cube tray in a cardboard box 67watt lightbulb light with mirrors a fan a water sprayer(what can I put in my water?), and some random soil and high altitude(mile high ya digg)?


I got the seeds from strangers and only two germinated but one plant is a warrior. advice?

 

[Clevelandblazn5]

This is my first grow sorry for all the questions with my 600 watt hps light can I plug it into the regular outlett or do I need to alter something?

 

[Dirtyboy]

Plug it in to any outlet.

 

[moash]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clevelandblazn5
Well the shelf that I'm hanging the light from is about 6 feet off the ground and it's a 600 watt light so should I just put it as high to the shelf as I can? And once they start growing bigger should I keep it that height or lower it down to about 20 inches
thats a pretty large light for little seedlings....but if its what u r gonna use then yes put it all the way up until they can take it
and have good ventilation




How old to the plants have to be until I can lower the light and what height do you reccomend when I lower it?

like 3-4 weeks
do the hand test to figure out heigth but anywhere from 12-20 in

 

[reeferob]

I am a newbie, but it seems that everyone seems to agree. Veg now with compact flourecent. Establish your seedlings with nice direct flourecent lights pulled down close as possible to them. 100 watt cool white ones are good. Say one positioned over each plant. Then I'd guess after the plants are about 4 weeks plus you can start with nutes, remove the CFL's, and switch to your MH for further vegging. Doesn't makes sense to take any cahnces with the MH now, and you want to make sure the plants get lots of light on the same note. It seems that CFL's will do that, and you can get the light close and directly on the plants like they need now. Invest in allot of flourecents, they are cheap, and you'll likely use them in the future. Good luck keep us posted on that grow.

 

[Dirtyboy]

I am a newbie, but it seems that everyone seems to agree. Veg now with compact flourecent. Establish your seedlings with nice direct flourecent lights pulled down close as possible to them. 100 watt cool white ones are good. Say one positioned over each plant. Then I'd guess after the plants are about 4 weeks plus you can start with nutes, remove the CFL's, and switch to your MH for further vegging. Doesn't makes sense to take any cahnces with the MH now, and you want to make sure the plants get lots of light on the same note. It seems that CFL's will do that, and you can get the light close and directly on the plants like they need now. Invest in allot of flourecents, they are cheap, and you'll likely use them in the future. Good luck keep us posted on that grow.

4 foot shop light is all the light you will need for a 2 weeks or more.

 

[Babs34]

I already have the lights should I go buy flourecents if so what do I need and how long should I keep them under the flourecents ? I would rather use the mh would it have a negative effect on my plants

Shoplights are ideal, although I have
vegetated under 26 watt bulbs.....they're amazing. Seek the "daylight" bulbs......they are best for vegging.
As for wattage, it all depends on what kind of area you are attempting to cover.
The length in which you keep them vegging is entirely up to you. You can keep it vegging for as long as you wish........just keep it on a consistent regimen of either 24/24 lighting........OR 16/24 PRIOR to "blooming cycle."