HID and vegg question

Tragic420

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2013

• #1

Ok. This is the first time i have used HIDs for vegg, i have always used cfl's. The problem is. it seem my babies vegg faster under cfl's. I have a 400w MH for vegg, but not sure if its even for growing or does it matter when it comes to MH?

 

Bigby

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2013

• #2

I find mine grow way way faster under metal halide HID. How far away from the plants is your 400W?

 

Tragic420

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2013

• #3

well i did have about 14 inches away but now 20 at least mabe a lil more...... it was getting way to hot my seedlings

 

Bigby

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2013

• #4

20 inches sounds ok to me with that intensity. Maybe the heat slowed them down. Hopefully they'll pick up a bit now.

 

RetiredMatthebrute

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2013

• #5

i run my 400w MH about 36-40 inches from all my plants, never have any issues with growth or stretching.....basically i have my light as high as it can get in my 6ft tent, the hood is about 10 inch tall. people say you need the light as close as you can get it but i feel it just creates problems. also if you dont have a aircooled system for your light your going to want one or you will be fighting heat the whole way.

 

Bigby

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2013

• #6

RetiredMatthebrute said:

i run my 400w MH about 36-40 inches from all my plants, never have any issues with growth or stretching.....basically i have my light as high as it can get in my 6ft tent, the hood is about 10 inch tall. people say you need the light as close as you can get it but i feel it just creates problems. also if you dont have a aircooled system for your light your going to want one or you will be fighting heat the whole way.

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Following that technique would certainly save me a lot of hassle. Really is a precarious business raising my light, particularly when it gets near the top. I'm tempted to follow your example and use platforms to raise plants if I want them closer, rather than adjusting the light height. As for keeping the distance high, one of my current plants is 5ft 9in (including it's pot), in a 6ft tent - she is undoubtedly too close. lol

 

Tragic420

Well-Known Member

• Mar 4, 2013

• #7

I the used the aluminum sheet ( kickplate) of the bottom of a screen door to make a reflector. the bulb is sideways. rather then strait up and down like the fixture it came from originally. it was for sure getting to hot befor i made the new reflector.. like your idea there, i do sorta the same myself.