Rubbermaid/CFL grow, is there a need to be able to adjust my light height?

I'm about to build my first set up. I've read you want CFLs as close as possible to the girls (w/out burning). I also see a lot of people just bolt their power strips/light fixtures to the inside of their set ups meaning their light height is fixed. Is this ok w/a rubbermaid set up w/mylar lining inside or do I ideally want to be able to move the lights down at first and then gradually up as the girls grow? I've got (2) 27 gallon containers and will stack one on the other as they grow taller but also plan to LST and keep a lower canopy.

For now I'll have ( 23 watt 6500k CFLS for veg and then switch to ( 23 watt 2700k CFLS for flower. I may have room to add more too and probably will.

If I bolt them inside...about how high off the bottom would you all recommend? Thanks RUI!

First off, let me say you're going to need ALOT more light than that.
Second, the cfls can touch the plant it doesn't matter. HEAT burns plants, not the bulb. If you can maintain a good temp don't worry. Also, if move the light higher or lower is a problem, just put something underneath the pot to higher them. When they get taller, take it out underneath.

Nothingreallymatters said:

First off, let me say you're going to need ALOT more light than that.
Second, the cfls can touch the plant it doesn't matter. HEAT burns plants, not the bulb. If you can maintain a good temp don't worry. Also, if move the light higher or lower is a problem, just put something underneath the pot to higher them. When they get taller, take it out underneath.

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If your using cfl's (bulbs) not tubes and your plant touches the bulb it will def burn the plant. Those bulbs get hot as hell up the coil

nothingreallymatters dude u are clueless please don't post with random ass guesses. Do not let the plants touch the bulbs dude it will for sure burn them. As far as bolting(zip ties or w/e) you can make them stationary but you need the light to be close so raise the plants up with boxes or something it is what most people do if you make lights stationary. Keep them about 2 inches away if possible. I also didn't notice how many light you said you were using i would say at least 69 watts per plant(adult) minimum but if you can handle the heat from more for sure add some more. Happy growing and keep us posted man!

Here is a pic of my veg set up. I attached a few light tubes to a piece of plywood the same dimensions as my armoire. Then drilled holes where I could drop down the cfls from the top. That way I was able to adjust the height of the cfls if I needed to by lowering or raising the cord. However, I am able to move the whole piece of plywood up and down by chains hooked to the top. Also, if you see the tips on some of the upper leaves they are burned because bulbs burn.

Tnx everyone. Don't know why my #'s turned into smiley faces, but I'm using 12-6500k 23 w spiral cfls for veg and then 12-2700k 23w spiral cfls for flower

I've got 3 light strips that hold 4 bulbs each, so I can use less light if I want...and if heat becomes a problem, but I thought you need as much as you can get w/cfls?. I think I figured out a way to hang them from hooks at the top of my box and suspend w/small chains to make them adjustable. tnx for the pix.

12 is def enough..i wud mix em up a bit say 8 6500k and 4 2700k and opposite for flower. good luck man

dont let them touch but u can def keep them within 6 in of ur plant. u actually want them tht close becuase the light penetration on CFLs is poor.