full light or no light??????

My first grow ever............

I have 4 - 4ft - 40wt flourescents 6250k each

Im getting alot of mixed reveiws.......
I just put my seeds in the soil after germ.
Alot are saying keep them within 2in of the lights 24/7 until they sprout and some have also said to keep them completly dark until sprout. What would be the best for the best result? And would it make it any better if I ran out and got some 27wt cfl bulbs daytime or are my 4 - 4ft - 40wt flourescents 6250k going to be ok?

It's my belief that seedlings need to break soil to find the light. The closer your light, the less your seedlings should stretch.
Seedlings suffering from the light being too far away tend to grow tall and leggy, IMO.

I veg under 6 40W fluros with no issues. Plants are strong and healthy.

Thamks for the input .. any idea about the lighting???

I have this set up I use from time to time.



They can grow into it for a few hours to a day they stay cool.

My set up is (4) 24" T-12's 20 watts each at 6500k it's a light blanket.

I also have some 2600ish k's (don't use but may add to my hps room for some side lights.

these thing may be old school but you can not f it up.

So if I do full light to sprout them.....How long until I should change the cycle?And what would be the best cycle 18-6?
If I do total darkness do I go to 18-6 as soon as they sprout?

MeenGreen said:

So if I do full light to sprout them.....How long until I should change the cycle?And what would be the best cycle 18-6?
If I do total darkness do I go to 18-6 as soon as they sprout?

Click to expand...

I do 18/6 unless i clone from a plant in flower then i do 24/0.