Time to plant these girls!

Well my seeds are sprouting and popping open, lights and everything ready to go. Today is DAY 1, how exciting I never thought it would come! I will be using soil in the long run, but 1" rockwool cubes for the first week or 2. However long... Ive been reading many posts and the process, but sometimes better to get feedback from you guys.

To start, How long do I keep the lights on? 18 Hours? 400 HPS/MH Convertable light is what im using. I read 2-3" for little seedlings, I also read always ALWAYS 12-14" away from them.

And last but not least, how often to water them for the first week, I wasnt planning on using rockwool and here its more absorbant, needing more water?

Thanks... I look forward to your help :) I'll have lots of pictures soon to come!

:) ok...

Hello,

First off, Congratulations on the (sounds like) first grow! How awesome.

1. How long do I keep the lights on?
I give sprouts, unrooted clones, and up to two weeks old seedlings get 24/7 lighting.

2. 18 Hours?
I give rooted clones, mothers, and young plants 18/6 lighting.

3. 400 HPS/MH Convertable light is what im using.
Not really a question, but I just wanted to say that I always start under fluoros then move to the MH. As long as your area is good on temps you should be just fine though.

4. I read 2-3" for little seedlings, I also read always ALWAYS 12-14" away from them.
Again, not a question. I am unsure what you are saying here. Are you going to put the 400watter 2-3" away from the seedlings? I do not think this is a good idea. I am pretty sure that the light would be a bit to warm (even if cooled) for the young plants. That being said, I have been wrong before.

I use the hand test with my lights. Put your hand under the light and pretend that this represents the top of your plants. If you can feel any significant amount of heat on your hand after holding it there for about 30 seconds, then your light is to close. Obviously this is not an exact science, but all in all it works well enough.

5. How often to water them for the first week, I wasnt planning on using rockwool and here its more absorbant, needing more water?
I have no experience with rockwool, actually I havent even seen it before, I have always either used peat pellets or rapid rooters. I would say to just keep an very close eye on the plants and water as soon as you start to see any drooping of the plant. If you can not watch them that closely then I would suggest (because they are under so much light, using up a lot of water) giving them a SMALL watering every day and watch to make sure that you are not overwatering. In my experience overwatering a young seedling is just as easy as underwatering.

I hope that some of this helps.

Keep us updated, I am looking forward to the pics.

Take care

Peace