Lighting for newborn

I started out at 18/6 but the last 3 days I been running it at 24/0 I am using 3 fluorescent lights 60v I believe

Here it is

Well, i am a newbie as well using T5. I do know that with fluoro you should get that light as close as you can! As others have said if the light does not burn the back of your hand after a few seconds your plants should be fine.

Oh yes, if you cannot get lights closer just use some CD cases, paperbacks or something else to raise the plant.

Your CFL looks miles away to me. Looks like one light is much lower. Maybe dedicate one light for each plant or raise the center light.

I agree, the lights should be closer or they are going to stretch. Aluminium foil can cause hot spots and burn plants but not a huge risk with those lights. Air movement is important, put a fan in there if there isn't already.

What everyone else said. I would get that light closer to your plants. Also, I stopped using the 24/0 light schedule, I believe this was causing some of my plants to hermie on me. I like to use 20/4 when I am popping seeds and during early veg. Two weeks before going into flower I use 18/6. Then i use 14/10 for a couple days before making the switch to 12/12. I found that this will greatly reduce stretch and I think it mimics mother nature and puts less stress on your plants.

I'm not saying this is what everyone should do, or that this method is better than anyone's elses, but in my experience it has served me well. Sometimes if I actually want a plant to stretch a little bit more I make the change more dramatic and go right from 18/6 to 12/12.

Getting the lights closer to your plants is more important than your light cycles at this point. I keep my T5's about 3"-5" away from my plants, I also put a fan blowing over them so they lightly shake in the breeze. The fan is really important, the breeze not only helps circulate fresh air, it also helps to strengthen your stems so your plants don't fall over under their own weight.

Keep on growing!

Thanks guys going to get a new setup with a fan and better lights

plants will be hapeir with 20/4 and a gentle breeze. small watteged cfls should be withing inches (2) literally. Stick to one light schedule. Get a powertimer. Leave them be and enjoy. PS I have never grown before apparently

How long and how often should I use the fan on them? They seem to like the fan blowing on them