New Grower lighting I need help

[joshua311]

I have a 400watt MH with a HTG supply small grow tent. I planted four germinated seeds two days ago. One is looking strong two died and the other has a small curvy purple stem They are about a inch the one that survived. What would be the proper lighting distance to hang my light from the top of the plant. The way it is looking I am only going to have one survivor. I just placed another order for some short ryder autos. If I Have to start over what is the proper lighting for the first weeks of growth from seedling to sprout and so on. I have been reading about T5 lights to start off with. I would love to finally one day be able to harvest something so all advice on light would b great oh yeah the temp of my tent gets between 77 and 83 F. PLEASE HELP

 

[namvet25]

Sorry to hear you lost some plants and at this point it would be to hard to say what happened.Give a detailed list of every thing you used or did with your grow.I have not used hps before but i'll see if I can get some one with exp to help you with the correct height.

 

[az2000]

I can't answer about the distance. But, you said you'd like to use t5 for seedlings. You could also use CFLs. Seedlings don't need much for the first week. CFLs would be cheaper.

I'd suggest starting a grow journal documenting *everything*. Soil, ph (in and out), nutrients, distance of lights, temps and humidity, type of water you're using (tap or bottled).

There are so many variables, it's hard to say it's a light problem without knowing everything. I doubt you used nutes yet, but your soil may have some pre-mixed.

 

[willow]

:Sharing One:

this is an excellent chart to go by, i used it using my 600whps lights, atm im sitting 20 inches away but mine are at day 20/21... when i first planted i kept the light farthest away and once they came threw the soil i moved it down to about a meter away, then gradually worked the light down checking that i wasnt stressing the plant/ baking it.... i am by no means an expert but i went by this info and it worked for me...

hope this help and hope your grow goes well ..... come check mine out

- - - Updated - - -

 

[joshua311]

I haven't tried the t5 yet I was wondering if it was worth a try. I am not sure if the 400watt MH is to strong for the first part of the growth. I have used roots organic soil but put some seed starter mix in the middle because the roots organic is to strong with nutrients. I am going to get a good soilless mix for when my next seeds arrive. If someone has a link to a grow journal other than a hydro grow journal that would be awesome.

 

[Rebel]

Rule of thumb with HPS/MH lights is put your hand over your plant/seedling and if its too hot for your hand its too hot for your plants. I typically had my HPS about 18 inches. I would suggest trying the hand thing. If its burning your hand its gonna burn them. If you have the light too high you will see them start to stretch. Hope this helps.

 

[Rebel]

Also I went to all T5s a few yrs ago for power bill reasons.. T5s are way cheaper to run... And they are just as good as HID lighting. I would suggest if you do consider T5s go T5HO (High Output) as if you can get 5000 lumems per Florescent you'll be running comparable to HID lighting.

I run soilless and have amazing results with Promix HP-CC. Promix HP is also good. Runs between $30-40 for a 60lb bale. Goes a long way.