Light reflector, more helpful or hurtful? Box? - First grow - (pic) HELP :X

[attachment=o279183]I'm currently working on my first grow, I have some seeds germinating right now, unfortunately only one of those is looking ready, after 72 hours...

The picture shows my indoor setup in my closet, I have the white garbage bags with cardboard in them, figuring they would give added reflection and a harder surface / cleaner surface than the carpet.
I'm using three 23w CFL's, two of them are the blue light spectrum, the other one is in the red light spectrum (idk if that will affect the plants negatively in the veg stage or not?)

Anyways, my main question is, that metal shade or reflector on the farthest light, I measured temps under it, and it was around 85 under it, yet it was 80 in the room in general... The other lights read about 81 under the light without reflectors... so I'm assuming I'll need a fan, but will that reflector cause more damage from heat, than help? I also want to put the pots in a bin, since I can't get a box quite yet, I heard a plastic storage bin type thing would be fine if I lined it with white bags or aluminum foil?

I was going to put a big fan in the opposite corner oscillating and if I got a bin, another small one in the bin with the plants... any ideas on whether thats a bad or good idea? etc... any specific fan sizes and stuff that would be good? I also believe I could move the pots closer to each other, or will it be better off how it is?
I know the lights are too far from the pots, I just have them set up as examples of how they will be till I get them planted.
sorry to write so much by the way...
I was also wondering where the best spot would be to place a thermometer for the best/accurate reading? thanks

Thanks a TON, there's so much information starting off, I just want to have a good yield and I'm sure it will all be much easier after I get started. thanks again.

[quote=DvJeff]
I ju

First thing to answer: Reflectors

Always use reflectors, by not doing so you are wasting light. As the light is going every where and being pointed in a certain direction, so it's always good to use them.

CFLS:

The blue spectrum is fine, however I would suggest changing the red for orange as blue & orange enhance chlorophyll activity and food production.

A good site for advice on spectrum and light types

I use dual spectrum HPS, as they are cool blue and warm orange.

Also as you are using CFLS, I would suggest a space of around 20/25cm from the tops of the plants to encourage grow.

FANS:

Because you are using a small tight space, you should be ok with using a 7" fan.

SPACING:

Now depending on what sort of yield you want, depends on the distance the plants are apart from each other and the inner walls. The plants will grow to the space they are in, so if you have close bunched plants then they will only grow to that space they have.

I hoped that's helped a bit....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CanGro

First thing to answer: Reflectors

Always use reflectors, by not doing so you are wasting light. As the light is going every where and being pointed in a certain direction, so it's always good to use them.

CFLS:

The blue spectrum is fine, however I would suggest changing the red for orange as blue & orange enhance chlorophyll activity and food production.

A good site for advice on spectrum and light types

I use dual spectrum HPS, as they are cool blue and warm orange.

Also as you are using CFLS, I would suggest a space of around 20/25cm from the tops of the plants to encourage grow.

FANS:

Because you are using a small tight space, you should be ok with using a 7" fan.

SPACING:

Now depending on what sort of yield you want, depends on the distance the plants are apart from each other and the inner walls. The plants will grow to the space they are in, so if you have close bunched plants then they will only grow to that space they have.

I hoped that's helped a bit....

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it helped a ton! thanks a lot!
although... 20-25cm from the tops? as in almost 8 inches? I heard CFL's had to be 2-3 inches from the tops for growth & to prevent stretching?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DvJeff

it helped a ton! thanks a lot!
although... 20-25cm from the tops? as in almost 8 inches? I heard CFL's had to be 2-3 inches from the tops for growth & to prevent stretching?

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If your CFLS are producing heat at 80/85, by having them too close to the tops will burn them.

2" - 3" is about ______________________________ this long and that's far to close to the tops. I would do 6" in the early stages, to encourage a bit of stretching.

[quote=CanGroIt]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DvJeff

I ju

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Weird....don't know why this is the only portion of my response that stayed....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DvJeff

it helped a ton! thanks a lot!
although... 20-25cm from the tops? as in almost 8 inches? I heard CFL's had to be 2-3 inches from the tops for growth & to prevent stretching?

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You heard correct....although not always necessary to have them so close....but will be most intense within that range which is why most people recommend that....

This was supposed to be the above post....

[QUOTE=DvJeff;
I just want to have a good yield and I'm sure it will all be much easier after I get started. thanks again.[/QUOTE]

I like math because numbers don't lie....

Master Growers can yield 1gram+ per watt.... Average to Awesome growers can pull .5gr-.9gr per watt.... Beginners usually pull .25gr or less per watt....

By those numbers, you might end up with 17.25 grams IF you grow them for the space you are providing.... Three months+ time for maybe 17grams is going to be a learning experience for you.... Good luck....

Click the link in my sig, "All Newbies Read This"....

Growing is only easy when you have all the right things together needed....

CGI::::::