Question on Metal Halide light

[bigredfeather]

I recently aquired an 1000 Watt metal halide light. I am wanting to use it to start my garden seeds. The only other time I used a light to start my plants, I just used two 4' floresant light fixtures that I had to keep right on top of the plants to keep them from getting too leggy. With the MH light, do I need to keep it right on top (within inches) of the growing plants or do I need to keep it up off them?
Thanks.

 

[Ariel301]

In my experience with using metal halides on aquariums, they put out a lot of heat. I don't know how close to put them for starting plants, but you might want to keep an eye on the heat level.

 

[Jared77]

Set up the metal halide bulb and watch it because it will put out a lot of heat. If you have a thermometer put it down under the light and hang the light at the height you think its safe. Then watch the temperature, and work up from there till its not too warm.

THEN start your seeds. You won't have to worry about leggy plants with MHs. They are INTENSE