Lights on before they pop is fine.
Just like Mr Piggy said, why waste power and money lighting up dirt?
If you want some light in there to check on them just use a single CFL bulb until they break surface, cheap and effective.
The HPS will be fine for the whole grow but i would add some daylight CFL's to get more blue spectrum in there, especially during veg.
Not too sure if you have a magnetic or digital ballast for your light?
If it is magnetic, you will know this by the fact that it weighs about as much as a car battery!
So if it is magnetic check out Ceramic Metal Halide bulbs.
Spectrum is far superior to HPS and it is a crisp white light, great for taking photo's!!!
As for light schedule 20/4 or 18/6 is perfect!
I use 18/6 but that is just me saving a few bucks on the electric bill!!!
Just like Mr Piggy said, why waste power and money lighting up dirt?
If you want some light in there to check on them just use a single CFL bulb until they break surface, cheap and effective.
The HPS will be fine for the whole grow but i would add some daylight CFL's to get more blue spectrum in there, especially during veg.
Not too sure if you have a magnetic or digital ballast for your light?
If it is magnetic, you will know this by the fact that it weighs about as much as a car battery!
So if it is magnetic check out Ceramic Metal Halide bulbs.
Spectrum is far superior to HPS and it is a crisp white light, great for taking photo's!!!
As for light schedule 20/4 or 18/6 is perfect!
I use 18/6 but that is just me saving a few bucks on the electric bill!!!
