how far should my light be away from plant

[happydave]

i got a 400 watt hps

 

[DubRules]

12-18".
put your hand on top of your plant and hold it there for a few minutes.
if your hand gets hot, it's too close.

 

[KaleoXxX]

12-18".
put your hand on top of your plant and hold it there for a few minutes.
if your hand gets hot, it's too close.

i was gonna say, do the hand test, but this dude beat me to it.

if you put your hand at the top of the plant and can fell the warmth, but not heat, of the light, your at a good distance

 

[southern homegrower]

i keep my 1000w at 18 inches

 

[Johnnyorganic]

HPS can produce intense heat especially in an enclosed space with mylar. Akin to an Easy-Bake oven failing proper ventilation.

The back of the hand test is a very good indicator but definitely no closer than 18".

Good luck and good growing.

 

[bigtomatofarmer]

I also recommend getting a cool tube.

 

[hershy62]

How high should i keep my t-5s from my veg plants thanks for any info right now they are 12 inches and dont seem to be growing fast enough

 

[jawbrodt]

^Man, bring those lights down, as close as possible without touching the plants. At 12", the output reaching the plants is VERY low. I have a light meter, and anything more than 6" is almost useless.(like 1000 lumens) I try to keep mine within 1" which is tricky because they grow really fast and I have to watch so they don't grow into the bulbs. On a good day, i have to move the bulbs twice because they are growing so well.

 

[hershy62]

thanks ill lower them down closer

 

[zip]

mine were too far away and moved them down and noticed a difference immediately

 

[resinousflowers]

10 - 12 inches should be fine from my own experience.