Lighting How far should T5 be from newly hatched seedlings

[ArseNick]

:no: Hey guys, what distance from the pot do you hang your lights when seedlings first open up? I have it currently around 40 inches, and planned to lower it a day or so after they pop. Thanks in advance.

 

[mxc]

Keep my t5s around 5-7 inches above otherwise they end up stretching..if you can put your hand between light and plant for 30 seconds without it burning, then u should be good.

 

[phoenix rising]

when mine first sprout and I put them under the t5s I start at 12" and slowly lower it 3"a day until its about 2" from their tops.Gets them used to it gradually-I've had my share go crispy if I start them off at 2-3"above.

 

[ArseNick]

Thanks Phoenix, haven't grown for a while. I had 2 pop
Prior to going to work, but did lower light to 12".

 

[phoenix rising]

congrats on your sprouts! get a small oscillating fan in there on them to strengthen the stems and your on your way to vertical!

 

[Liontamer]

Hatched ? Do you keep chickens ?
A friendly joke, Im not taking the piss.
I have a couple of T5s running vertically up the wall to provide lighting at all levels and in places the plants end up touching them with no ill effects but a seedling is delicate so as has been said, 2 or 3 inches is your ideal, if the seedlings are very small ie, cotyledons only or just one set of true leaves they'd be happier under a cloche to maintain humidity and a cloche will also provide protection if the lights are too close as it will steam up inside creating a level of semi opaqueness.

 

[ArseNick]

Thanks everyone, I now have 9 out of 10 up and going strong, had to pull the hulls off of 2, lowered the T5 by 3" as Phoenix recommended. Some have already sprouted 1st set of leaves.
I am growing Nirvana NL and Bubble gum:thedogsbollocks:

 

[phoenix rising]

Good show my friend,just keep lowering the lights a couple inches a day until you end up about 3"away and your golden.

 

[ArseNick]

I have lowered the light to it's lowest position, from here out is goes up. I have nirvana stains 4 NL and 4 BG looking good. also have a fan going as you recommended,
it has little effect with the light so close, but was moving them around well prior to the last lowering of the light this morning.

 

[phoenix rising]

Good job my friend!Yes.i've had that problem a time or 3when you get your light right down and it blocks the fan air circulation.I solved that by getting a 12"oscillating tower fan from wallyworld.Even at the lights lowest setting the bottom portion of the tower is still getting air under there and keeps them cool and movin to strengthen them up.I think I paid less then $20 for it and she's still goin 3 years later. You got any baby pics yet,love to see'em!