Choosing Grow Lights

Grow Lights

High intensity discharge (HID) grow lights are the preferred light source for indoor growing.

There are numerous options available today to suit any size indoor garden and budget.

Metal halide (MH) and high pressure sodium (HPS) grow lights have long been the preferred method of lighting for indoor cultivation. Typical target="_blank"MH and HPS grow light systems are comprised of a socket, a switchable ballast, bulbstarget="_blank", and a light reflector. Metal halide bulbs are used during the vegetative growth phase of the plant, while the high pressure sodium bulb is preferred during the flowering stage. A switchable ballast allows you to utilize either MH or HPS bulbs in the same system. Reflectors are often used with this type of system to direct light onto the plants. MH and HPS grow lights provide a tremendous amount of light. They also can produce a great deal of heat, necessitating a method of cooling the lights, such as an inline fan. MH and HPS grow lights are available in a variety of intensity or strengths. 150, 400, 600 and 1000 watt bulbs and ballasts are the common choices for indoor growing. It is important to remember to always match the wattage of your ballast to the wattage of your bulbs. Often, opting for a complete HID Lighting system will save you money and guesswork.

Metal Halide High Pressure Sodium Grow Lights
Alpha Hydroponics.com

High output (HO) fluorescent lighting provides substantial light for growing indoors as well.

Advantages to growing with (HO) fluorescent lighting are numerous. Typical fluorescent grow light systems include the same components as the other systems (socket, bulb,ballast and reflector), combined into one unit. These lights are available in a variety of sizes and intensity to suit any indoor garden scenario.

Fluorescent grow lights allow you to choose or mix and match bulbs for varying stages of a plants growth.

The heat generated by fluorescent light systems is typically much lower than with a (MH) or (HPS). This allows the lights to be placed closer to the plants without the heightened risk of burning them. Another important advantage these lights provide is through reduced power consumption. Mixed grow and bloom T 5 fluorescent bulbs allow for proper vegetative and flowering of plants.

T 5 High Output Fluorescent Grow Lights
AlphaHydroponics.com

LED ( light emmitting diode) grow lights are one of the latest advancements in indoor grow light technology.

The greatest advantages offered with LED grow lights is the reduction in power consumption and heat generated by them.  LED grow lights are available with white, red, and blue bulbs to provide the full spectrum of light needed for growing your plants. LED grow lights come in a range of shapes and sizes including spot lights that plug in to a typical household light sockets, UFO style grow lights, and larger light panels. The intensity of LED grow lights is governed by the wattage of the bulbs and the overall number of lights in a panel. Enhanced Spectrum LED grow lights as well as deep red and far red LED grow lights offer the light spectrum plants desire most. High quality LED grow lights manufactured in the USA, offer energy saving full spectrum lamps, reflector, and fan cooling all in one unit.

Enhanced Spectrum LED Grow Lights
AlphaHydroponics.com