Lighting Stages

[k1ucHt]

Hey everyone I have a few questions on lighting for you guys, this is what we have to work with.

Space: 2' wide, 2' deep, 4' high (can expand later on if needed)

Lighting: CFL 20(75)watt Soft White, CFL 26(100)watt Soft White CFL 26(100)watt Warm White, CFL 26(100)watt warm white and then finally this 400 watt HPS system https://www.futuregarden.com/cgi-bin/shop/30-3115.html

Now I know with the CFL lighting it is best to keep them 1" - 3" from the top of the plant but with the HPS system they should be kept 18" - 24" from the top of the plant. I'm wondering now with this setup is there enough CFL lighting to push 4 healthy plants through the veg stage or can I use the HPS system too during this time, if so how close should it be kept during veg... the way I see it is there well be way too much stretching if its kept 18+ inches away in vegitation state.

[litespeed]

HPS and MH has lots of ( heat ) so put the back of your hand at the top of the plant and if it burns the hand it is to close to the plant. you can use MH or HPS any time after the 4 nob.

[latewood]

use the cfl's for the seedlings...

use the 400w for the veg/flower...Keep a fan blowing across the tops of your plants at all times when the lights are on and you wil be able to get lamp pretty close...I get my 400w MH sunmaster warm deluxe as close as 12-16 inches with just a small fan.

Hope this helps.

[Ziggy Stardust]

thanks for the ticket LiteSpeed i got my 4" personal clip on fan in there got my puny 175 HH just 4" away (no burning) and sat back in content watching em sway gently in the man made breeze - no strechin today at all. i cant wait to look in the AM...ive grown befor but not like this its really exciting to be able to SEE from the AM to the PM how much your babies have grown. Now if i could just get that feeding intreval thing down i think id be cool..

[amstron]

I used this light calcuatot on a website and it said the maximum amount of light you need for a 2' by 2' area is like 330 watts of HID light anything more is a waste of power and a 250 works fine in this area. The only reason I say this is because in an area as small as yours, you may have some heat problems, what is your ventilation? also if you do have a slightly bigger area you could get a higher yield from your 400.