How close should cfl be to plant?

Ok i have a 200watt dual cfl over 3 seedlings (i have another on its way) how close can i lower the bulb to the plants?I dont want to burn them .... at the moment its around 8 inches away.Also is another 200watt cfl going to be enough ?I originally had the 1 seedling (thus only getting 1 lamp)but the cotyledons were black after the seed shell fell off and it looked like it wasnt going to make it,so i germinated another 2 , but the original one suddenly picked up just left in the windowsill with a bit of water so now all 3 are under the lamp.I have read on different forums about how many lumens are needed for each plant and am assuming 400watt will be enough? if so how soon should i get that 2nd lamp in there? thanks in advance for any responses and input, appreciated.

First of all, Keep em in the window as much as you can during the day and give them the rest of the light at night then have the lights shut off, sunlight is 1000x times better than Cfl,s i gives them vitamins, and nutrients through the sunlight that may cause them to stretch a bit, but in the end will be far healthier, 2, put your hand inbetween your plants and the lights, if your hand is uncomfortable, then the plants will be too, for a 200 watt Cfl 3 - 5 inches my guess is an adequite distance.

Its ok to keep moving from sunlight to cfl? will this not stress the plant ? I read somewhere moving from one light source to another isnt good? thx for the advice just double checking

Also just read this thread....https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/205908-1-200-watt-cfl-how.html ..........do i need that other cfl?

no its not gonna stress the plant i havent ever used a cfl that big i use the 26 watt 6500k two per plant until there like 6 inches with 4 or 5 sets of leaves these i keep like an inch or two away from the plant and thats the side of the cfl cuz that puts out the most light

guess im gonna get that lamp a little closer then...window sill is only an option for the next week or so anyway ,nosey neighbours.

fatc2k3 said:

guess im gonna get that lamp a little closer then...window sill is only an option for the next week or so anyway ,nosey neighbours.

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just been to move lamp closer but there is a slight smell when entering the room , not burning or smouldering but similair and its coming from the cupboard , do new cfl`s smell for their first 24 - 48 hours or something ?is this just the ballast in the bulb?

fatc2k3 said:

just been to move lamp closer but there is a slight smell when entering the room , not burning or smouldering but similair and its coming from the cupboard , do new cfl`s smell for their first 24 - 48 hours or something ?is this just the ballast in the bulb?

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the smell is apparently is just the smell of the heat from the ballast , contacted supplier. So now im looking at how far i should keep the bulb from the plants again, nobody has actually advised distance other than 3-5 inches which seems a little close considering seedlings are less than 2 weeks? Am i better off with lower watt side lighting with more bulbs or still sticking with another 200w hanger?