400w for Seedlings?

[ogrefugee]

I am cracking a new bunch of seeds. Is it a bad thing to put these yet to be born seedlings under the 400w hps, even the 400 w/ some cfl's to augment? or should i just use some cfls?

thanks

 

[Guest]

I am cracking a new bunch of seeds. Is it a bad thing to put these yet to be born seedlings under the 400w hps, even the 400 w/ some cfl's to augment? or should i just use some cfls?

thanks

I would say start with CFL's and wait till seedlings get at least its true leaves on it first. Let them grow for a bit then HPS them. TO much light in begining can shock or burn. Patience my friend. Give them a week or 2 with CFL's then go for it.














Nevermind

 

[br26]

if you get the cfls, try for the higher spectrum

i can't seem to find any above the 3000 k range for the standard sockets, which go to 42 watts

 

[Guest]

i have done it and it wasno problem, they tend to get bigger leaves under a hps insted of a couple of flouros..but if you keep them under flouros you still have to get them used to a hps..

on my last grow i put them under a couple of CFL`s for about 16hours+ and about 6-8hours under an hps..

hps

flouros

 

[sahima]

I am always using my 400 from start to finish, and i don't have any problems.But i keep the lamp away from seedlings, like 50-70cm (depending from my seedlings reaction, if there is a lack in vigor or a pale green most possible will be from the hps so you move it away).
From what i have read clf and floros are more suitable for the first weeks, but hps works fine for me.

 

[Guest]

I had always used my MH light 400 watt, now have a CFL grow box for instead, I dont notice any differance, except I can stage my grows better so I always have something finnishing. Now I hang my MH & HPS side by side for 800 watt combo spectrum seems to work great. I would use cfl's to save money on Electricity!!

 

[BudGood2006]

I've thrown them off to the side of a 600 watt HPS before with no problems. The key is just in having a light meter to make sure they're not getting too much or not enough light. I have a cheap Hydrofarm one, but it works very well. It's handy not only to know how much light the plants are getting, but also for knowing if your bulb needs to be replaced or not. This was around 20 bucks:






And worth every penny. :smile:

 

[ogrefugee]

Cool!

thanks for all the super quick replies!

I am just going to keep in under the 400w but i through in some 5k cfl's the help a little. Very happy little seedlings

 

[Guest]

np..

 

[Guest]

I would say go with the CFL'S untill they show thier first true pair of leaves. Or alternating nodes or when you want to flip them to 12/12. Its all up to you and your electric bill.

 

[ogrefugee]

e bill isn't a factor, saving on bulb life is, so once i get all these little kiddies up i will switch to 18/6 till they sex

 

[stretchpuppy]

I have always germed my seedlings under a 400w air-cooled MH.

I am lazy and do not want to hang another light.

A few bucks on power and a bulb in 9 months is not a big deal considering the plant in question.

When I upgrade/build new I will probably use flouros.