Seedlings early Veg, how far from LED lighting?

[crunchyfrog]

New plants (~18 days out of the ground) and just put in grow tent with viparspectra V1200 light yesterday. Previously they had been under four, 23w daylight CFLs at ~4". Instructions from viparspectra (attached photo) say for 3-5 days (acclimation period) to put light 44" to 48" away from plants with 10 on 14 off with just the vegetative lighting on. Sounds very conservative to me but I have no experience at all with this. I went with the ~44" and just the vegetative lighting on but I kept the lighting schedule at 18 on 6 off. Attached are photos of the setup, the instructions from viparspectra and a close up of a plant. I am tempted to straight to the 32" to 40" with vegetative and bloom lights both on.

What would you recommend for lighting distance and veg and bloom lights on/off.

[SoOrbudgal]

I have 2 450 vipars When I put my plants the size of yours under the lights after they have vegged under CFL I have done the veg light only 18/6 for just few days then both lights veg and bloom on together. I done 36" same size plants as you got both lights switch's on. I think your doing fine try it at 32" if it seems to harm the leaf will tell you turns kinda yellowish but don't hesitate to raise them up again.
I don't use pullys/yo yo I put my plants on risers be it those plastic ones and use wood blocks is how I do it just raise the plants I don't mess with lights. And I've also placed those young ones off center of the light so not as intensive, then you can move towards the center light sweet spot. Just play around with it, this is how I learned.

[crunchyfrog]

Thanks for the experienced advice SoOrbudgal . I moved the light to 36" away and will leave them on veg only 18/6 until Monday and then turn both on.

One other question though if you have time, what training method would you recommend for a first time grower like myself? I am considering quadlining or maybe just bending/LST. Thanks again for sharing your experience about your LED lights.

[SoOrbudgal]

My primary training is LST & topping for indoor. I rarely do a quadline I just like to top and LST tie down the branches then later on remove the weak lower half of growth. Little shoots removed during 3rd week of flower. Aim for the stronger branches. I still get 8-10 good size colas. I shooting for the quality of plant more than lots of small growths. Best of Luck

[CaptainWiese91]

Hello I have a R900 Vipar spectra. And I really love it. Mine is hanging 50CM from the top of my plants. And now I switched to 12/12 and of course I’m on full spectrum. But I only used the veg button the entire 18/6 schedule. In my veg period I was hanging 35 cm from the canopy. When I got the R900, everybody say go full spectrum, and I burned the plants, I found out the Veg button really produce enough light for the veg stage. Hope it helps