Hello!

I have this wonderful big wall and an obsession with succulents and cati. :) The wall is horribly messy and cords everywhere, but it happens when you've just moved. XD

I've done hours of reading on grow lights, and have one last little issue before I can proceed.

I need lights that can be close. (I realize theres another related thread by someone else floating here on the first page about bookshelves, but I didnt want to highjack their thread)

I'm building wooden shelves with pipe accents and support, but I dont want 24" spaces between shelves for 4-6" succulents, if it can be helped. Also, more shelves = more space for succs! XD

I have this LED http://www.feit.com/products/grow-lights/led_grow_lights74302/

You have to keep the plants pretty far.I tried them at various heights and anything closer than 6-8 inches stresses the plants. I emailed the company asking ideal distance and *crickets* (Also, if anyone knows why it's turning all my plants the same shades of blues and purple, let me know!)

Then I have this T5HO set.

T5 HO Grow Light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GU4RYK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_P3SXzbXHPA0N5

I read a lot of "put the T5 bulb about 4 inches above your plants" or even "so close theyre almost touching". I put the light about 10-12" away trying to be cautious and it upset the plants. Aloe aristata was most displeased and expressed this with curled leaves. Lol poor thing. I held my hand right under it for 30 seconds and it wasnt too burning. Eh? Is this an issue with not taking it slowly enough and acclimating them? The plants were under the LED for awhile before switching.

I also just purchased these out of curiosity and popularity.

Sunblaster 904296 NanoTech T5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074F4N5FB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_U5SXzbPT32Y3D

If I cant mount those I'll use them for seed starting in the plant room.

I'm mostly not understanding why some T5s are supposed to be very very close and some 1- 2 ft away. Is it wattage? I noticed in a premade setup on amazon with shelves and very close lights, the watts were much lower on their bulbs than mine.

I'm also not completely married to the idea of T5s or any particular bulb. CFL? Just need to be able to mount it close somewhat ...stylishly since this is meant to be a living room display. I'm planning on having a variety of plants too. Some tall, some short. Some higher light, some lower. I've only been dealing with succulents about 3 months, but I'm under the impression aloes and lithops may have differences in ideal light?

Thank so much for any help on what I'm guessing is a real noob issue.