New Grower digital ballast and bulbs

[doobydoobydo]

Do i need to get a separate 400 watt bulb to start my plants off, my ballast has 3 settings and i only need to use the 400 watt for a week or so OR can i put them straight under a 600 watt?
cheers

 

[stepside]

I was starting all my plants under 1000w hps it didn't really seem to bother them. Just doesn't need to be right on them to start

 

[doobydoobydo]

I am using 600 watts so once the seeds have popped i can put them straight under the 600 and avoid the expense of more bulbs?
cheers

 

[stepside]

Yeah you can do that. Try to find a sweet spot. Not to close but not to far away.

 

[doobydoobydo]

thank you, the seeds seem to popping at different times should i leave them by the window and then put them under the lights at the same time?
cheers

 

[stepside]

thank you, the seeds seem to popping at different times should i leave them by the window and then put them under the lights at the same time?
cheers

The only problem with leaving them in the window is they'll really stretch for the light then you'll have really tall ones going in beside little ones

 

[doobydoobydo]

Oh i see, once they have popped can i put them straight under. Sorry for all the questions but my first try was a failure an expensive one at that.
Cheers
Will put up a photo tomorrow for some feedback

 

[doobydoobydo]

My seeds are popping and i am gonna put them in tomorrow. Is 30inches enough distance from the 600 watt light ? I am gonna put the pots on the floor once they are established
Cheers

 

[HashMaster]

30" should be good.

Be sure to hold your hand over the plants to check for excess heat and adjust if needed.

If you have an adjustable 600 ballast you only use one 600 bulb, you do not get different bulbs for different settings.

Also, to use lower settings it must first be fully warmed up on 600 first or you can kill bulb life.

Long story short, just leave it on 600.....

 

[doobydoobydo]

Thank you, i wanna get it right this time! Enough time and money was spent last time to no avail. The seeds are popping at different times, can i put the light on as soon as i put them into the soil? They are on tissue at the moment in the dark, most have sprouted.
Cheers again