Quote Originally Posted by J_Julz86
So when I start these out do I need the full 400 watts or can I bring up the watts as the plants grow?
Over the last year in preparation for my first grow I read everything I could get my hands or eyes on.(not to be rude but try it, knowledge gained is worth more than given)
IMHO When plants are very small, excessive heat and light can stunt their growth or even kill them. For this reason it is not practical to start them under a HID lamp, youâ??ll certainly be wasting money if you do as youâ??ll need to place the lamp a good distance away from the seedlings (so youâ??ll be wasting heat and light).

Fluorescent lighting is less intense and gives off less heat, so is much more suitable. The propagation lighting available from your local grow shop â?? such as T5 propagation strips or CFL â??eco lightsâ?? will have an output in the blue / white spectrum; this encourages plants to develop roots, grow outwards rather than upwards and will see your plants through the propagation phase and into the early vegetation stage of growth.

These fluorescent lamps are cheaper to purchase and operate than HID lighting and, because they give off much less heat, they can be placed closer to your seedlings â?? so you waste very little light.

I hope this helps...