Lighting T5/CFL only thread (the manual)

[iLuvIndica]

Quick question if anyone knows how much lumens do young seedlings need bc i have a 3-way meter that measures lumens and my lil akr is yellowing a bit on the first leaves that usally die anyway i dont think its normal tho bc my other 2 week old random bagseed outside still have thiers and they are lush green im using phed water temps around 80-85 brand new OF soil and im using a srpray bottle to keep the soil moist just around the stem but im also letting it dry thoroughly too so is this just normal check the pic looks like nute burn to me :no: but im thinking i might have the light too close idk panic mode :cry:

 

[Joe Dirt]

Just looking at it, it looks like pH issue or nute burn. You say the pH is right, and we know OF can be too hot for seedlings, so it's probably nute burn.

EDIT: I'm not touching the light question... everybody on this thread knows more about T-5's than I do.

 

[AndyBotwin]

Just looking at it, it looks like pH issue or nute burn. You say the pH is right, and we know OF can be too hot for seedlings, so it's probably nute burn. You didn't say how close they were to the lights so there's no way to know how that is affecting them.

I would guess nute burn also. I ran my seedlings under 4 42w CFLs at a couple of inches away, and they handled it just fine. I kept a fan blowing through the area to ensure no heat buildup. I know now that was overkill, since the plant can only use as much light as the leaves can take in, and the leaves are miniscule at this stage.

 

[iLuvIndica]

if its nute burn how can i correct this i mean i need to water it right?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Hang in there for a few, iLI. I've never addressed anything this early in a plant before... we need some more experienced help. They'll be along soon.

Try to hold off doing anything yet.

 

[iLuvIndica]

lol my bad i watch them for like 15 mins a day its hard not to notice my lil baby yellowin on me

 

[gamin420]

Thanks, Rip. I thought of going with the standard bathroom fixture that many people use, but I wanted something with more versatility. The PVC is not glued together but fits tight, so I can rotate the individual bulbs into different positions if I need to. Or I can disassemble the unit and make it larger or smaller to fit my needs. I plan on using this for supplemental side or bottom lighting once I get another main fixture. Plus, the PVC is dirt cheap and all the wiring and connections are contained inside which is never a bad thing in a humid environment.

That is a super cool set up you got there Andy B. What type of fixtures did you use since they aren't the bathroom type fixtures? Mind if I ask what size of PVC pipe you're using?

 

[Joe Dirt]

iLI, it's way to early to become a nervous wreck. You've still got 8-10 more weeks of this. :twist:

EDIT: Sorry, you just remind me so much of myself on my first grow. Things that send you into arrest, won't even catch your attention on your next grow. :dance:

 

[AndyBotwin]

Hang in there for a few, iLI. I've never addressed anything this early in a plant before... we need some more experienced help. They'll be along soon.

Try to hold off doing anything yet.

I read somewhere that doing nothing for a day while evaluating the situation will almost never cause a plant to die. But doing the wrong thing right now can kill it dead. I would suggest posting this in the infirmary to get the most eyeballs on it.

---------- Post added 08-03-2011 at 12:37 PM ----------

That is a super cool set up you got there Andy B. What type of fixtures did you use since they aren't the bathroom type fixtures? Mind if I ask what size of PVC pipe you're using?

gamin420, I'm installing a new fan and filter in my cabinet today so I'll be pulling out the lights anyway. I'll take some more pics and post up the details of how I made it and what parts I used. :thumbs:

 

[Joe Dirt]

I read somewhere that doing nothing for a day while evaluating the situation will almost never cause a plant to die. But doing the wrong thing right now can kill it dead.

Well stated. :thumbs:

I would suggest posting this in the infirmary to get the most eyeballs on it.

DUH! I wasn't even paying attention. What Andy said... I would post this in the infirmary ASAP.

+rep Andy