From

Location

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Date Posted

Torrance, Ca.

I've always just used a regular shop light and just picked up a 4'X 2' T5 set up.
The question is how far are you running them from the seedlings? They seem much hotter then what I'm use to. I've always had great success with the light 1" above the plants. Seems this maybe a little close for this type of light???

Thanks!

2/13/2016 9:38:35 PM

Springfield, VT

1-2" inches is good for the air gap. Temperature wise it is similar to the T8 but more concentrated due to the smaller lamp diameter.

2/14/2016 8:20:49 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

No that's too close for these!!! Depends if you run a fan, and I would suggest that you do. A larger oscillating fan sitting back a few feet works great supplying O to the plant and making the stems stronger and moving the heat. Run those lights at least 16" away... you can always move them down....

2/14/2016 9:18:29 AM

Aberdeen

I will be using the t-12, how far do I need them apart?

2/14/2016 9:25:42 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Start farther back, then observe to move down closer...really depends upon air movement across the plants....and temps of your germ room as well.

2/14/2016 10:21:44 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

No one can actually give the right answer without knowing your exact setup and temp. But I agree with the Wiz approach. Use a thermometer to check the heat at certain distances from the lights. After your seedlings are up try not to let temp go over 80.

2/14/2016 10:28:08 AM

Freedom Is Just Another Word For Noting Left To Lose

If the lights are to far away, the seedlings will stretch

2/14/2016 10:59:30 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I run mine 24 inches off my table top.. They will cook your plants much higher intensity from those so cal

2/14/2016 11:02:27 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Correct Bill, I grow in my basement, room temps there are 65 degrees until I turn on all my lights, then the basement gets toasty... Ill post some pics of my distance and setup. But one things for sure... for healthy germs these are great to use. What I like best is I don't have to harden off my plants... these lights are that strong....

2/14/2016 11:22:23 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Lots of great info, thanks guys! I've always had great success with the plants right on the lights,,,,, the plants would surely fry with these lights. I can already notice a nice tan on the hand I'm reaching in and moving things around!!

I have a fan on most of the time. I'll start way up then, check temps and go down from there.

Thanks so much!!

2/14/2016 11:43:19 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Oh yea, I really like the plugin on top of the fixture. So convenient for hooking up another light or even your fans.

2/14/2016 12:08:25 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I used two timers one to turn on the lights and fan on. one to turn on the heating pad at night if your soil germinating. temp goes up very fast.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=194352

2/14/2016 12:16:58 PM

Elk County, PA

Start a test batch now and dial it in. Take the guess work out of it. Without expierements this time of year id go insanse with anticipation.

2/14/2016 3:25:21 PM

Mn

As Bravo said testing is best. I used T5's for the first time last year. With 6 to 8 inches above the plants
and a fan I did very good.

2/14/2016 4:53:23 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

Just put your plants outside for god sake. You live in Southern California

2/14/2016 5:43:19 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

Maybe you should buy some heating cables too.

2/14/2016 5:45:15 PM

Santa Rosa, CA.

Who is this so cal guy

2/14/2016 5:45:56 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

lol

2/14/2016 6:09:01 PM

Torrance, Ca.

he he he Russ!

2/14/2016 6:18:42 PM

Torrance, Ca.

See you in a couple weeks!:)

2/14/2016 6:20:05 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Lol, that's what I was thinking. How many days do you keep the plants inside anyway?

2/14/2016 8:07:53 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I start tomatoes and peppers first part of the year and keep them under the lights so they get 12 to 16 hours of light before I move them outside 6 to 8 weeks later.

They grow so much faster with this much light and the really cold 50 to 60 degree nights we deal with. lol

2/14/2016 10:30:03 PM