meefzeppelin
Member
Which lights are better? Is one better than the other for veg/flower?? Thx for the input
HPS vs. MH
- Thread starter meefzeppelin
- Start date
robert 14617
Well-Known Member
Types of indoor lighting (Moon Shadow)
Types of indoor lighting (Moon Shadow)
High Intensity Discharge Lighting (HID)
These powerful lamps generate light by passing electricity through gas under high pressure, unlike fluorescent bulbs that utilize low-pressure gases, and standard incandescent bulbs that pass current through a wire filament. For HID bulbs, the gas in the tube and the coating on the bulb determine the spectrum of light emitted. All HID lights work on these principles and require special ballasts (transformers and capacitors) and sockets to operate. Though they come in a variety of wattages, most gardeners recommend 400, 600 or 1,000 watt HID bulbs. Note: Line voltage, operating characteristics, and physical shape are unique to each lamp. Never mix and match ballasts with lamps! Mercury Vapor
These pioneering HID lamps were invented around the turn of the nineteenth century. By today's standards though, these lamps are inefficient and expensive to operate.
Metal Halide (MH)
MH lights are the best single source for indoor garden lighting. Standard MH lamps produce light from the blue end of the spectrum. "Corrected" MH bulbs, however, produce balanced spectrum light similar to tropical sunlight, and contain both the red and blue wavelengths plants need for rapid growth. In a room with no outside light, start plants under MH lights until the vegetative growth stage is over.
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS)
HPS is the most efficient light source. 1 lumen = the amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square foot one foot away. One 1,000 watt HPS bulb can produce 140,000 lumens, or the most lumens per watt of any HID bulb. HPS light emits mainly in the red and orange region of the spectrum, and promotes excellent fruit and flower production. The lack of blue spectrum light, however, can cause plants to become "leggy" if used alone during the vegetative stages of a plant's development. Many gardeners start plants under MH lighting, and then switch to HPS for fruit and flower development.
Note: HPS lighting is the perfect supplement to natural lighting and is ideal for extending the photoperiod in your greenhouse or sunroom.
Conversion Bulbs
The ideal lighting system includes both MH and HPS lamps. To spare the expense of two systems, however, conversion bulbs are your best option. HPS conversion bulbs run off an MH ballast and emit more lumens and red spectrum light than a metal halide bulb in the same ballast. You can start plants under MH lamps, and then switch to an HPS conversion bulb for flowering.
Metal halide conversion bulbs offer the opposite approach; you start with an MH conversion bulb, and then switch to a regular HPS bulb for flowering. If you want only one type of bulb for all stages of growth, you can use an enhanced or "corrected" HPS bulb. These lamps provide a more balanced spectrum than standard MH or HPS bulbs.
Types of indoor lighting (Moon Shadow)
High Intensity Discharge Lighting (HID)
These powerful lamps generate light by passing electricity through gas under high pressure, unlike fluorescent bulbs that utilize low-pressure gases, and standard incandescent bulbs that pass current through a wire filament. For HID bulbs, the gas in the tube and the coating on the bulb determine the spectrum of light emitted. All HID lights work on these principles and require special ballasts (transformers and capacitors) and sockets to operate. Though they come in a variety of wattages, most gardeners recommend 400, 600 or 1,000 watt HID bulbs. Note: Line voltage, operating characteristics, and physical shape are unique to each lamp. Never mix and match ballasts with lamps! Mercury Vapor
These pioneering HID lamps were invented around the turn of the nineteenth century. By today's standards though, these lamps are inefficient and expensive to operate.
Metal Halide (MH)
MH lights are the best single source for indoor garden lighting. Standard MH lamps produce light from the blue end of the spectrum. "Corrected" MH bulbs, however, produce balanced spectrum light similar to tropical sunlight, and contain both the red and blue wavelengths plants need for rapid growth. In a room with no outside light, start plants under MH lights until the vegetative growth stage is over.
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS)
HPS is the most efficient light source. 1 lumen = the amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square foot one foot away. One 1,000 watt HPS bulb can produce 140,000 lumens, or the most lumens per watt of any HID bulb. HPS light emits mainly in the red and orange region of the spectrum, and promotes excellent fruit and flower production. The lack of blue spectrum light, however, can cause plants to become "leggy" if used alone during the vegetative stages of a plant's development. Many gardeners start plants under MH lighting, and then switch to HPS for fruit and flower development.
Note: HPS lighting is the perfect supplement to natural lighting and is ideal for extending the photoperiod in your greenhouse or sunroom.
Conversion Bulbs
The ideal lighting system includes both MH and HPS lamps. To spare the expense of two systems, however, conversion bulbs are your best option. HPS conversion bulbs run off an MH ballast and emit more lumens and red spectrum light than a metal halide bulb in the same ballast. You can start plants under MH lamps, and then switch to an HPS conversion bulb for flowering.
Metal halide conversion bulbs offer the opposite approach; you start with an MH conversion bulb, and then switch to a regular HPS bulb for flowering. If you want only one type of bulb for all stages of growth, you can use an enhanced or "corrected" HPS bulb. These lamps provide a more balanced spectrum than standard MH or HPS bulbs.
meefzeppelin
Member
Thx for the info +rep
robert 14617
Well-Known Member
i thought you might not mind a little reading ,it came from the grow FAQ's
True Stoner
Active Member
Im getting a 600 watt digital ballast that uses both MH and HPS!!
meefzeppelin
Member
How much is something like that? Do you have a linkso I could check it out?