Just thought I would throw this in folks, don't asume that just because you are using CFL lighting, you can put the lights within a couple of inches of the tops of the plants. Take a little experiment with me. Lets asume you have your lights right down on top of your plants within, lets say 2.5". And lets say your room temp instrument is on the wall at the same height of the canopy of your plants, (which it should be there abouts. Since there are different temps to different levels in a grow room, it stands to reason the temp your plants are growing at is in the safe range of the height you have your temp meter when it is reading a perfect 76 degs. sounds like the perfect set up, does'nt it!. Go put your hand up beside the thermometer, and just feel what the temperature feels like. Then quickly put your hand 2.5" away from your light. The temp is well over 90 deg, and in some cases even higher at that distance, depending on what type or brand of light your using. Now!, we all know that temps above 82 deg, at long periods of time can disables or slows the plants photosynthisis production, and in result to this is slow grow, suspended antimation, photosynthisis shut down. The only reason I put this on the forum is because some of the long time myths, are just that. I grew with 12 @ 26 watts. Light worked great, the plants grew very slow. After I raised the light about 1 foot above the plants canopy, it was like you had shot them in the butt with penacilen. They never grew so good. YES, it's true, the overall temp of the plant is at the perfect temperature, but the top of your plant is saying get that hot @$%^^$%^^ away from my head. Fans do the job of keeping the temp constant around the plant, but not the whole top. Test it for yourself and see if its just a myth, or fact. Good luck growing fellow farmers and may the good LORD bless your gardens.
