Hello Z3ro, I just got here but I do know you get as close as 2 inches away from CFL's with a descent fan pushing heat away. Regardless of what type your plant is. I am just learning about Auto's but my gut says to run lights on till the first signs of pre-flower. Then drop to~run 20/on~4/off, then as flowering sets in drop to 18/6. This is my plan and it is also my first time trying Auto's so I am getting my feet wet so-to-say. The plant itself controls its growth cycles and not your switching duration's.
87.8 F degrees = 31*C is a very high temp and I would vent it better as you say your lights are 24" from the tops?? "My lights are about two feet up from the plant" that is a venting issue, not about the height from bulbs...Peace.....
Hi GoofyFoot! unless I start cutting holes in walls or doors I'm not getting any more ventilation. Yes 2 feet is very high, I'll raise my container up. Plants do stuff in the dark that they don't do in the light transpire/respire, O2/CO2, grow roots..so I'm a little leary of lowering the darkness time. Most of my growth seems to be overnight actually. I will look into it though... Right now I have to figure out if I should top or fim or just let it be... today may be the day!
