good light distace

im running a t5 400w 8tube floresents with two switches to just use 4 or all 8. i started from clones and this is the 2nd week. i also got the different sizes its all they had. should i use the hole panel or is 200 w good i have 20 plants in half a gallon containers in 3 tray. whats a good distance.

I'm using t5s for a first grow too. I started out using them as if they were cfls. But now I think their intensity is enough that they need to be further back than cfls. Right now I am running them on seedlings at 8 inches 24/7. I am thinking of going to 18/6 or 20/4 as well.

Illegal Smile said:

I'm using t5s for a first grow too. I started out using them as if they were cfls. But now I think their intensity is enough that they need to be further back than cfls. Right now I am running them on seedlings at 8 inches 24/7. I am thinking of going to 18/6 or 20/4 as well.

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do u have them all on. is it necessary. thats a pic of mine what do u think

I dont have much indoor experience but I think half at about 10'' distance would be fine for now. Those pots you have might be a problem, the roots cant get light on them and thosepots are letting light trough. Wrap them in some black plastic or paper.

If you're able to get a gentle breeze across the top of your canopy.... 5-6" would be great. Plants LOVE light and you shouldn't see any burn or bleaching at that distance.

My seedlings and young plants are always only a few inches from the CFL's I use. 2-4" for PL-L lamps (but they run cooler).

Stay Safe!

just far enough to were they will not heat up your plants but also wont make them stretch to much so it depends on how hot your fleuro runs