Metal Halide Bulb Question

[OrangeAgent]

Hello everyone :jointsmile:

My question is this: Is it ok for me to use my metal halide bulb on first sprouts? Or should I make a seperate grow box and use fluorescent bulbs?
If I am not supposed to use my mh bulb first then when should I transfer from fluorescent to mh?

:smokin:

[irydyum]

Is it a 400 or a 1K MH? I have put seedlings under a 400 MH with no problems, just give it more space than usual from light to canopy. Normally my 400 can be anywhere from 8"-12" from the canopy, but when I do seedlings under them, it's more like 2' away. If it is a 1000, i'm sure the same principle would apply, but I have never done it so I can't necessarily recommend it.

[OrangeAgent]

Thank you irydyum

Yes I have just purchased a 400 watt Lumatek Air Cool Grow Light kit MH/HPS
and I was unsure if the MH bulb would burn my little buddies. Two feet sounds good so that is what I will do for my first grow. I think I will still build a fluorescent box for my second crop to be growing while I get my first plants into the 12/12 light cycle-- seeing as I only bought one light kit.

Thanks a bunch, irydyum, for your help :thumbsup:

[irydyum]

Sounds like a plan Orange. What are you going to be growing? With you light being air cooled as well, I wouldn't worry too much about burning them with a 400w. Keep an eye on em, they'll let you know if you are doing something wrong:stoned:

[Dutch Pimp]

I have used a 400 MH on seedlings; no problem, yeah, 2 foot at least. But, now I go the first 3 weeks with T-12 fluoro tubes in 5000k or 6500K cool white...:thumbsup:. No chance of burning them and no excess heat is generated. Then I switch to the 400.

IF, using t-12's; you do keep the bulbs with 2-3 inches of the seedlings.

either way, good luck growing...:thumbsup:

[OrangeAgent]

Thanks DutchPimp :D

In the photos you have posted above; how many tubes do you have in that fixture? Looks like it could hold two--maybe three?
I have a 3x4 closet space that I will be using (for now anyway) so I am probly only going to be growing four palnts at the most. That is unless any of you think that four plants might be overdoing it for such a limited space. But hey if any of you think I could squeeze any more in there I'm totally open for suggestions.
So I guess what I am asking is if I am going to be growing around four plants then how many T-12 fluoro tubes in 5000k or 6500K cool white should I buy?

Thanks again :jointsmile:

[OrangeAgent]

irydyum, you asked me what I was going to be growing. :thumbsup:

Well as much as I would love to buy some killer genetics from a seed bank the truth is that I am just too damn paranoid. Plus I hear about people paying for seeds and never getting them and I would hate to spend a bunch of money on killer seeds only to have the police meet me at my mail box.
I really want to buy some beans from a bank so I can grow something that looks like it came straight out of Skunk or H.T. magazine.
I guess untill I grow some balls and a few extra bucks to lose I will have to just stick to planting good old bagseed. :(

[VapedG13]

I put my seeds in a cup then slap the cup under 4-1000 watters....no problems with germination or growth.....you can start anywhere:hippy:

[Dutch Pimp]

Thanks DutchPimp :D

In the photos you have posted above; how many tubes do you have in that fixture? Looks like it could hold two--maybe three?
I have a 3x4 closet space that I will be using (for now anyway) so I am probly only going to be growing four palnts at the most. That is unless any of you think that four plants might be overdoing it for such a limited space. But hey if any of you think I could squeeze any more in there I'm totally open for suggestions.
So I guess what I am asking is if I am going to be growing around four plants then how many T-12 fluoro tubes in 5000k or 6500K cool white should I buy?

Thanks again :jointsmile:

Hi ...OA

1. It's just your standard 4 foot, dual bulb, shop light fixture. I can fit 4-5 seedlings under it. Another fixture would be needed for more plants.

2. Four flowering female plants is ideal size for a 3x4 closet. Hopefully, you have 7-8ft. ceiling height?..cause, you will need to raise the light during the grow.

3. As far as seedlings?...I would germinate twice as many seedlings; because you will remove the male plants when the flowering cycle starts and keep the best looking female plants....:thumbsup:..50% males is normal.

4. Bag seeds are a hit or miss deal. The better the genetics; the better the grow; but, they are a good learning experience. Good Luck.