How Low can my Lights REALLY Go?

I could not find any specific answer to my question, and I dont want to BBQ my ladies.
The closest I found was "Close so your hand does not burn and they should be fine"
I have a 1000w HPS with 6" Vented Fixture has the glass cover over the bulb.

http://www.htgsupply.com/files/admin/img/Reflectors/web_EasyCool_6_GALLERY.jpg

I have a Homemade Carbon Filter (Filled with the catbox crystals) Then a inline Duct fan 260cfm then that connects to one side of my light from the other side of the light to another 260cfm Duct fan then outside.

I am just worried that just cause the heat wont bother my hand much (nerve damage) that it wont bother my plants. Whats a safe distance? 10" or more, less?

Any Opinions, Fact, or easier way to determine distance would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.

i know somebody that swears they got there 1000 wt lamp 3 inches away , but i wouldent try it keep at around a foot are so

sorry to jack your thread but dont the lamps get weaker on each grow

yes yes they do ur supposed to replace bulbs every 12 months
but im sure reusing isnt all that bad odviously

try holding your arm there instead then or the bottom of your hand by your wrist, i have had alot of iv's put in badly(had a history of seizures) and i have almost no feeling in the back of my hands as well and thats what i do. your wrist is just as sensitive heat wise.

With the air cooled lamp I would start @ about 12" and see if your plants are comfortable there. If they show signs of discomfort them move it up an inch or 2. if they were fine there you can leave there or try and move it down a inch at a time. Do this until you find right height.

darkdestruction420 said:

try holding your arm there instead then or the bottom of your hand by your wrist, i have had alot of iv's put in badly(had a history of seizures) and i have almost no feeling in the back of my hands as well and thats what i do. your wrist is just as sensitive heat wise.

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thank you thank you thank you, Exactly what I was looking for.
I Should have figured that out myself, Feeling kinda dumb atm.

Sir. Gonzo said:

With the air cooled lamp I would start @ about 12" and see if your plants are comfortable there. If they show signs of discomfort them move it up an inch or 2. if they were fine there you can leave there or try and move it down a inch at a time. Do this until you find right height.

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also good info, thanks.

crystalman said:

sorry to jack your thread but dont the lamps get weaker on each grow

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at about $120 Each bulb, I think it's still worth a new one every year. and thats for the Best quality hydrolux with blue spectrum. (Wish I was smart enough just to pay the extra $ for it)

Erdericks said:

Any Opinions, Fact, or easier way to determine distance would be very helpful..

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These are facts not fiction anything over sunlight level PAR is a waste so keep your light at sunlight level UNLESS you have CO2 enhancement, the plant simply cannot utilize the light as it cannot get enough CO2 to grow any faster.
Below is a chart built by CaliGrower at what height to keep your light.

crystalman said:

i know somebody that swears they got there 1000 wt lamp 3 inches away , but i wouldent try it keep at around a foot are so

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now THAT is a load of horse shit right there. Unless he is using a 5 year old bulb.

frmrboi said:

These are facts not fiction anything over sunlight level PAR is a waste so keep your light at sunlight level UNLESS you have CO2 enhancement, the plant simply cannot utilize the light as it cannot get enough CO2 to grow any faster.
Below is a chart built by CaliGrower at what height to keep your light.

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I Do have co2 Enhancement. So now I'm Confused again LOL

Erdericks said:

I Do have co2 Enhancement. So now I'm Confused again LOL

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then you can go lower if you want to to push the growth faster as long as yoi aren't overheating the foliage.

MY Big Mamma is getting huge and real close to my light, Gonna try and tie her down gently, just dont want to shade any of the flowers..

don't go any closer than 24 inches...in my opinion...even if the room temp is 23degrees and your hand feels cold underneath.....you can still get a sunburn on cool windy days.....the prolonged overexposure will cost you ounces....a 1000w is very effective at two feet from plant tops......good luck