Hi all it’s my first grow. My seeds have just germinated and I’m ready to plant and soil it’s an auto grow so I’m planting in my finishing pot. Growing three plants and a small Grow tent. Is it ok to start with 250 watt MH? I have good ventilation and 75 degrees. If ok how far should my light be positioned from the new seedlings?
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Lol look at who it is glad to see you hung in there how many plants and how big is said tent? I am currently running 400w HID’s and I use distance as a tool depending on age of plant. I start with lights about 24" away for first several days to let them adjust with a 250w I would take same approach adjusting the light according to stretch of the plant being a 250 you can get pretty close even without a vented shade 10-12" easily enough but a good rule of thumb is hold the back of your hand at range you want to place light if it is hot to you it’s too close.
I am guessing you intend to add bigger lights later? if not factor a 250 as being enough light for 2’x2’ at little over 50w sqft 400w 3x3 600w 4x4 1000w 5x5 these will give you best yields for lights mentioned you can increase footprints slightly with lowered quality.
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Distance from plants is directly related to your desired footprint and lights penetration every light has a sweet spot I get rusty on my math since I do things by feel and observation and a good chunk of new growers are using LEDs now. Makes me a dino or just stuck in my ways 
if you want to get scientific get a laser temp gauge and measure temp at top of plants otherwise 10" 250 12" 400 14" 600 18" 1000 and if using a cool tube or vented shade the tops can get even closer at above distances your lights will penetrate plants and promote healthy growth in veg without too much stretch
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lol yes glad I’m on now! tent is 2x4x5 growing just 3 plants. Tent is ventilated with carbon filter so heat not a problem. Starting with a MH then will switch to HPS during flowering. MY 250 watt HP is dimmable as well. Plants are auto so I’m going to run 18/6. I was thinking 24 inches as well to start and then do 10-12 inch when seedling is strong enough. thanks for your help!
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Gave you good advice but you really should start with a T5 you
can pick them up at any hardware store for about $20; bucks.
Will 
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