hydroponics grow light

How To Choose The Best HPS Grow Lights? We will be giving you some tips on how to choose the best HPS grow lights for you below: Cost Regardless of what you are buying, the cost is very important. In the case of an HPS grow light, you need to consider the price tag on the product before making a buying decision. This is because you do not want to buy products that will put a big hole in your pocket. However, this is not to say you should go for the cheapest HPS grow light. What you need to do is to compare different products in your price range with the features they offer. With this, you will not only be getting a good HPS light but at a good price too. PAR PAR stands for Photosynthetically Active Radiation. Yes, radiation is a scary word but not to plants. This is because the PAR radiation helps in creating photons that produce light to help the plants grow. So, when you see an HPS light with high PAR value, go for it because it means it will help your plants grow faster....

High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting Systems HID lights are large bulbs that are filled with gas, which is ignited when electricity is run through the bulb. This creates a bright light and also puts out a lot of heat. HID bulbs come in two types for hydroponic gardening, and are categorized by the type of gas used in the bulb. Metal Halide bulbs has a more blue light spectrum are usually used for vegetative growth, while High Pressure Sodium bulbs have a more red light spectrum are used for flowering or fruiting. HID bulbs wear out quickly and must be replaced yearly for full growth potential in your garden. HID systems also include a ballast to power the bulb as well as a reflector or hood to maximize your light coverage. Light Spectrum The visible white light is composed of different wavelengths which can be measured. Not every wavelength is suitable for plants. Plants capture and utilize light band with a spectrum ranging between 400 and 700 nanometers. This band is know...

What light do plants really absorb? In the 1970s a scientist called McCree determined the wavelengths of light a plant can absorb. He assessed the relative quantum efficiency of different wavelengths of light on photosynthesis. In other words he recorded the rate of growth of plants exposed to each wavelength or colour of light. McCree discovered that plants use all parts of the PAR spectrum but at different rates. The quantum efficiency for red is close to 100% efficient whereas blue and green were less efficient, ranging from 65% to 75%. McCrees action spectrum identifies what colors of the visible spectrum are best for photosynthesis. McCrees action spectrum is the correct reference for assessing the suitability and effectiveness of a grow lights spectrum output. Blue Light Blue lights with a Kelvin color temperature from 5000K to 6500K or wavelength in the 400-500 nanometer range are best for the vegetative stage of the grow cycle and for starting seeds indoors. This color range...

Ceramic Metal Halide Grow Lights CMH lights were introduced in the 1980s, but with recent discoveries in horticulture research, it makes sense why many growers are utilizing this technology.The CRI of CMH's is around 90-92, close to the spectrum you get from the sun .The claim from CMH lovers is that your plants can enjoy a nearly full spectrum white light, very similar to natural sunlight that lasts longer than your HID counterpart. A CMH's Color Rendering Index (CRI) rating is pretty close to the sun. CRI is a measurement of how true colors stay when the light is set upon them.  HPS grow lights  are 20 - 30 (that's why it's all orange/yellow in your grow room during flowering) while Metal Halides are 60 - 65 (which is why there's a little bit of a blue tint in your growing area when you're vegging).  CMH grow lights  come in with a CRI rating of 90 - 92 making them only 8 points off from our most natural source of light. Right off the bat, once you turn on ...