Starting under 400wt MH?

Hey crew! I just purchased a 400wt MH to start some seeds under, any advice regarding this? I hear aslong as I keep my hand under the light and its not hot the plants will be fine? So I assume 2 feet above the pots will do the trick. Any input will be nice! Thanks all!

anyone?

Should be fine even 3 feet. I usually start mine under t5's.

I have before but don't like to. I work long hours so they're alone most of the day and they're very easy to stress and kill that young. I use a T5 but before then even a cheap t8 will works better for seedlings.

awesome. I was thinking it would be fine bc I usually start them outdoors in the direct sun so I would assume a 400mh wouldnt even compare.

it will start just fine . but your ( MURDERING )!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! electricity ! why do you want to kill money . why not use a small light bulb a 25 watt or so and if you need to keep it warm buy a heating pad it uses 10 or 20 watts.

kinddiesel said:

it will start just fine . but your ( MURDERING )!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! electricity ! why do you want to kill money . why not use a small light bulb a 25 watt or so and if you need to keep it warm buy a heating pad it uses 10 or 20 watts.

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I dont mind the electricity being used aslong as its fine to start them under

I hear ya. around here we watch every penny on the e bill or it will creep up to stupid amounts more then the house payments . car and insurance payments all combined .

I like to start under a 600mh digilux. I stick them in the shadow of a 5 gallon plant until they sprout. Light is about 4 feet away. I slowly everyday move them into the light and within a week there usually placed up on a shelf about foot tall and absorbing the 600 fine.

I don't use my 400 to veg at all, it's way too inefficient compared to cfl's for me. The cfl's are cooler and you can run them any schedule you want with no worries. I cant tell a difference in my electricity bill with the cfl's on 24/7. The MH fuck that, 100.00 minimum a month more.

malicifice said:

I don't use my 400 to veg at all, it's way too inefficient compared to cfl's for me. The cfl's are cooler and you can run them any schedule you want with no worries. I cant tell a difference in my electricity bill with the cfl's on 24/7. The MH fuck that, 100.00 minimum a month more.

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Electric must be outrage priced where your from. A 400mh ran 24/7 would cost me $23 a month.

booms111 said:

Electric must be outrage priced where your from. A 400mh ran 24/7 would cost me $23 a month.

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Shit yeah. I'm not looking forward to 12/12 this summer it's going to be nut's.

booms111 said:

I like to start under a 600mh digilux. I stick them in the shadow of a 5 gallon plant until they sprout. Light is about 4 feet away. I slowly everyday move them into the light and within a week there usually placed up on a shelf about foot tall and absorbing the 600 fine.

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Awesome! Thanks brother! I dropped 12 seeds in the water today. Will either sprout them under the 400w MH OR put them directly outside. I notice we have a couple days this week that are kinda iffy to me. Tomorrow is 69° with a low of 50° and Friday is 66° with a low of 47° and according to my usual germination times I bet they will be ready to plant Friday when its 66. SO I may go ahead n drop them under the light for a few

malicifice said:

I don't use my 400 to veg at all, it's way too inefficient compared to cfl's for me. The cfl's are cooler and you can run them any schedule you want with no worries. I cant tell a difference in my electricity bill with the cfl's on 24/7. The MH fuck that, 100.00 minimum a month more.

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Holy shit! Where do you live?

Southern California

malicifice said:

Southern California

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Oh, that would explain it, I hear the cost of living is ALOT more than where I am at. Ohio here brother!!