The Hand Test

[jchesmore722]

I’ve heard of using the hand test to see how close you can put your light to your plants but I was wonder
ing….how can I tell if it is too much?
Just because its not too hot for my hand doesn’t mean that it wont stress out a small seedling…

 

[tesla]

Use a thermometer its the most accurate, Once you see the temp and feel with your hand you won't need the thermometer any more. Do you have a fan on the plants to cool them? I use fluorescent lights for my seedling and they don't get hot at all. I put my seedlings 2inches away from light.

 

[The Hemp Goddess]

I’ve heard of using the hand test to see how close you can put your light to your plants but I was wonder
ing….how can I tell if it is too much?
Just because its not too hot for my hand doesn’t mean that it wont stress out a small seedling…

Seedlings are different than mature plants. You should only use the hand test for established plants. If you have a HID light, you will probably want it a foot or 2 away from the seedlings. If you have CFLs or other fluoros, you can get a lot closer.

 

[andy52]

if you have your reflector vented,i see no issue with the distance.i put my hps 2-3 inches from the canopy at all times.i do use cfls for veggin now and have them almost touching the babies.

 

[la9]

You can never have too much light, an overcast rainy day is probably putting out more than a 1000 watt HPS.

Seedlings can handle the light just fine as long as you have the light on and over them before they sprout.

Seedlings adjust to the light they are given so if you have them under a 40 watt flouro and then put a 1000 watt HPS over them they will burn, If you have them under 4 1000 watt HPS when they sprout they won't.

Don't worry about having too much light, it costs too much.