what CFL should I use for seedlings?

texastiger707

Active Member
I have 2 autoflower seedlings. They are about 5 days old. I have them under 4 26w 6500k CFLs. I have them red party cups with good soil. I also have a 55w 2700k CFL. So what light should I be using at this point? The 55w 2700k CFL or the 4 26w 6500k?
 

hydrogreen65

Well-Known Member
I would run the 4 26w bulbs. Just start a lil high, and adjust from there. If they start stretching move a lil closer til you find the range they like.
 

Jus Naturale

Active Member
Honestly, I think you could run the 55w too, if you can run all five. The multi-spectrum isn't going to hurt them, and you'd be pumping 55 more watts into them. And, I'd suggest trying to get those bulbs as close as possible. Within an inch is great.

Btw, as a Bronco and Ron Burgundy fan, I love the avatar.

Cheers!
 

GrowingHappiness

Active Member
I am not very knowledgeable on autos, but dont they pretty much go from seedling to flowering? In which case, wouldnt you want 2700k bulbs?
 

texastiger707

Active Member
Honestly, I think you could run the 55w too, if you can run all five. The multi-spectrum isn't going to hurt them, and you'd be pumping 55 more watts into them. And, I'd suggest trying to get those bulbs as close as possible. Within an inch is great.

Btw, as a Bronco and Ron Burgundy fan, I love the avatar.

Cheers!
Thank you for the reply. I hate the raiders. Happy Holidays.
 

hydrogreen65

Well-Known Member
Needs to let them grow a lil before he hits them that close.
Agree with the 55w and different spectrum being good fir them.
 

higgins2k9

Well-Known Member
I would use just 2 of the 26w cfl's for both at just 5 days old and add more light when they need it as they get bigger . Seriously don't need 104w of cfl just for 2 x 5 days old seedlings. I'm flowering a topped 6 cola sweet afgani delicious plant under 105w red cfl and it's doing brilliant so using that much light for 2 seedlings is way overkill imo. I started 20 seedlings for my brother and kept them for 10 days under a 85w 6400k cfl and even that was a good 6" away from them with no stretching at all. If you need all the extra light for the heat to keep them warm then carry on with them all man.
 

texastiger707

Active Member
I would use just 2 of the 26w cfl's for both at just 5 days old and add more light when they need it as they get bigger . Seriously don't need 104w of cfl just for 2 x 5 days old seedlings. I'm flowering a topped 6 cola sweet afgani delicious plant under 105w red cfl and it's doing brilliant so using that much light for 2 seedlings is way overkill imo. I started 20 seedlings for my brother and kept them for 10 days under a 85w 6400k cfl and even that was a good 6" away from them with no stretching at all. If you need all the extra light for the heat to keep them warm then carry on with them all man.
yes I am using extra light to keep them warm. I am in cali right now and its getting way cold here at night. With the 4 bulbs its gets to 75-80 in my grow box. I have a exhaust fan at the top of my grow box and I have a small fan in the grow box for fresh air.
 

higgins2k9

Well-Known Member
Ok man sounds like an ideal way of things to me, it can actually work out cheaper just using extra light for heat rather than using alternative ways to keep them warm.
 
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