Seedling and light help needed

Familyguy420

Familyguy420

Member
Hi i just placed my freshly germinated seeds in my diy aeroponic system. My question is can my rockwool/seeds get too wet? My system is spraying a good amount of water so i didn't know if to much h2o might be harmful or should i be good? Also they are under my 600 watt hps turned down to 50% and it is about 3 ft higher than the top of my system is that ok? Thanks in advance for any and all answers
 
lee1000

lee1000

Well-Known Member
I planted mine germinated in rockwool and suspended in little baskets over my bubbler. The rockwool was soaked but I made sure that the roots were a decent length first poking out of the bottom. I think that is the important part.
 
gjs4786

gjs4786

Well-Known Member
I can't speak much on the aeroponic setup, but as far as lighting is concerned, that should be fine for now. Pictures are always nice for a a question like this, but if it's any way the way I see it in my minds eye, 300 watts @ 3 feet should be fine for the seedling stage. When they get a couple sets of leaves lower the light to about 18 inches, 4-7 days after that, put her on full blast, and keep an eye on the temperatures, and the plant for any signs of heat stress.
 
gjs4786

gjs4786

Well-Known Member
Yeah, that will be fine for now as far as the light goes. Any particular reason you are starting out with HPS? Most newer ballasts support MH bulbs. Did your wife's plants come from outside? Generally, it is considered a big no-no to take plants from outside and put them in your grow tent. This can track introduce all sorts of nasties, including spider mites. I wouldn't want to take that chance. If they've been outside, get them out of there :)
 
Familyguy420

Familyguy420

Member
Oh shit ok thanks bud ill take them out. Well as for the hps i forgot to buy a mh bulb and im doing autos so i figured i would be ok. I have 6 3ft 4 light t5 hoods with lights but they all need ballasts
 
gjs4786

gjs4786

Well-Known Member
Familyguy420 said:
Oh shit ok thanks bud ill take them out. Well as for the hps i forgot to buy a mh bulb and im doing autos so i figured i would be ok. I have 6 3ft 4 light t5 hoods with lights but they all need ballasts
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Be sure to wash your hands. It's a good idea to keep a pair of slippers or clean socks and hand sanitizer in your grow area to use while you're interacting with your plants. Cleanliness is the #1 prevention against disease/pests. For your light, here is an idea of the distance you want to keep your light. Of course, this varies a little depending on temps and whether or not you have an air-cooled hood. 600W Closest - 14" (35cm), Sunlight equiv - 16" (41cm) Furthest distance - 25" (64cm) After they grow 3-4 sets of leaves, I'd follow this guide.
Good luck
 
RetiredGuerilla

RetiredGuerilla

Well-Known Member
I have to say 6500 kelvin rating T-5's are the bomb for seedlings and clones. Better for the plants and better for the life of your 600 watt bulb. Keep them 2 inches away with a very slight breeze flowing over them. Just so the leaves twitch a bit. I use my HPS strictly for the flowering cycle.
 
RetiredGuerilla

RetiredGuerilla

Well-Known Member
The ballast is built in. It comes as a fixture that can be used horizontally or vertically. They are very easy to work with and install. They are just skinny florescent glass tubes you twist into place. A 6 bulb 4 foot long fixture should run 175 bux. They come in many diff sizes.
 
Familyguy420

Familyguy420

Member
Really? I expected it to be like a ballast for my hps. So i basically just need me bulbs? My job replaced them at work and trey were going to throw them out so i asked if i could take them. The maintenance tech at work said they just need new ballasts
 
RetiredGuerilla

RetiredGuerilla

Well-Known Member
Familyguy420 said:
Really? I expected it to be like a ballast for my hps. So i basically just need me bulbs? My job replaced them at work and trey were going to throw them out so i asked if i could take them. The maintenance tech at work said they just need new ballasts
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after they get old the ballast does go out. But that takes many years. For me it's my hobby so i don't mind spending a little money on it to have nice equipment. Still a lot cheaper than golfing or fishing.
 
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