Metal Halide (MH) Grow Light Systems
Your lighting system is one of the most important, and most expensive aspects to your grow system. Having a good grow light system can make or break the quality of your end product. Today, we are going to discuss MH light systems. MH, or Metal Halide, lights are part of the grouping called HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting. This type of lighting is the most popular among all growers around the world due to the high lumen output.
MH light systems are used typically during the vegetative phase of growth. The spectrum of this type of light appears light blue to white in color where as an HPS bulb will emit more of a late summers evening golden yellow color. This bluish white light is the best spectrum for vegetative growth. This means that a MH light can be used for seedlings, clones, mother plants, and of course just your basic vegetative plants. Although MH grow lights are typically used for vegetative purposes, some growers like to introduce this spectrum of light to their flowering plants as well. For example, a grower might opt to use 1 600W MH along with the typical 600W HPS grow light system. When it comes down to it, it really depends on the preference of the grower.
Whichever application you decide to use the MH grow light with, make sure you get a quality ballast. Your grow light ballast provides the power needed to emit the lumens you want to grow bigger plants. You will have a choice to choose either a digital/electronic ballast or the more traditional mechanical ballast. If you buy a digital ballast, it can be used to power both MH and HPS bulbs without making any changes. If you purchase a mechanical ballast, you will either need to buy one specifically for MH applications or you can always buy a switchable ballast which gives you the option to switch the ballast to use either MH or HPS bulbs.
Whether you decide to use an HPS grow light system or you prefer MH, the general consensus is that the MH grow light system is the best choice for vegetative plants. Do your own research on the different grow light systems to make sure you make the right decision for your room.
High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Grow Lights
Your lighting system is one of the most important, and most expensive aspects to your grow system. Having good grow lights for indoor plants can make or break the quality of your end product. Today, we are going to discuss HPS light systems. HPS, or High Pressure Sodium, lights are part of the grouping called HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting. This type of lighting is the most popular among all growers around the world due to the high lumen output.
HPS lights are used during your flowering period of growing. This is because of the particular spectrum of light that is given off by these types of grow light systems. High Pressure Sodium lights give off an orange-tinged glow that could be compared to the harvest sun. It is said that this spectrum of light significantly enhances density and volume of the harvest due to the increased stimulation of the floral hormones.
Flowering plants need a significant amount more light than vegetative plants, so it is highly advised to use an HPS system over your typical fluorescents or Metal Halide lighting systems. Many growers will actually leave a Metal Halide grow light in their grow area along with introducing a High Pressure Sodium bulb as well. This way their light has drastically increased and they are able to give their plants all the light they need from the correct spectrums.
Whether you decide to use an HPS grow light system or you prefer MH, the general consensus is that the HPS systems are the best you can get for flowering your plants. Do your own research and reading to make sure you make the right decision for your room.
