Hey, I bought a PC case off someone a few months ago, still havent gotten a decent seedling started.. Pissing me the fuck off, too! I have a 105 Watt CFL. Probably 1 1/2 sq. feet total. I've tried growing, but the bitches just end up deformed due to stretching within 2 weeks, and fuck that shit! I asked some people on another forum (IC Mag), and they said I need to get them closer to the bulb. Like 2 centimeters from the bulb, closer. The dimensions (26" H, 8" W). Its made for SWC hydro with a 1 gallon tub. The tub lid with the net pot holes and LST tie-downs is 8" give a few millimeters, its got rounded edges. Anyway, when the tub is at the bottom of the case, no problem. I added some VHS cases, and CD and DVD cases to raise up the tub. When there was about 8 inches from the tub lid to the bulb, it would close. However, thats too much space. When I added a few more, so that the distance between the tub lid and the bulb is 4 inches, it is PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to close the PC case! When I take the tub lid off, SURE THEN IT DECIDES TO CLOSE! There has been a beautiful grow done in this thing once before, so I know its possible. I can close the case at the 4' if I dont have the tub lid on, but thats absolutely pointless, considering it has the net holes and tie-downs on it. Whats the maximum of space I can have seedlings from the bulb without stretching? Suggestions?
if you cant move the light place some small books under the pot to bring it closer to the light... when it grows, remove a book... keep repeating till theres no books... CFL's need to be REALLY close in order to work... or you will get mad stretching as you saw... i have 4 growing right now that i just started... 2 of them have 1 100w CFL and 1 26w CFL... both of the bulbs are at most 3cm's away from the plant... you just have to periodically check the plants (which you should be doing anyway) but as for your question to the maximum they can be from the plant... i would give a rough estimate of 5-7cm good luck and remmber once it flowers it gunna double in size... so remember to compensate for that
If this were growing in dirt, I'd tell you not to worry too much about a little stretch in a seedling. I'd just pot it a little bit deeper when transplanting. I don't have a clue what to do in a hydro rig, sorry.