whats a better light?

[Xtensity]

I don't think anyones addressed why people choose certain lights....


Since autoflowers only veg for couple of weeks, you should go with an HPS.

HPS has a red color spectrum which is in more demand during flower, while the blue color spectrum which an MH bulb puts off is in more demand during vegging.

 

[toohighmf]

not trying to be a dick, but please prove to me how even supplementing MH in a garden, let alone a split spectrum bulb is beneficial. I swear I tried putting a 400 between 2 1000's and even with more light I got significantly less to the other side with no MH. here's the other thing. MH does not put out as many lumens and HPS actually vegges plants faster. the only benefit I have seen from MH is that plants recognise the transition from blue to red at the flip and force flowering a little faster. MH might enhance trichrome production at the end, so if you want to use em during the last 2 weeks, you might notice more trichs.. I emphasize on "might".

 

[B. Friendly]

not trying to be a dick, but please prove to me how even supplementing MH in a garden, let alone a split spectrum bulb is beneficial. I swear I tried putting a 400 between 2 1000's and even with more light I got significantly less to the other side with no MH. here's the other thing. MH does not put out as many lumens and HPS actually vegges plants faster. the only benefit I have seen from MH is that plants recognise the transition from blue to red at the flip and force flowering a little faster. MH might enhance trichrome production at the end, so if you want to use em during the last 2 weeks, you might notice more trichs.. I emphasize on "might".

The thing is we're trying to copy nature, like what these plants have been adapting to for millenia. So having Blue light is proper to the veg season we would see in nature. As well some blue light is good for transition during the first 3 weeks of flipping. All things being equal such as bulb lumens output would need to be so, for what i am saying to make sense. After the first 3 weeks of flower i would change to completely HPS of course. But the new science is showing blue is good for these periods. I use both in veg anyhow.
this BULB is NUTS for veg cycle and i have used it and it is better than any HPS for veg:
http://www.eyehortilux.com/blue.html

 

[toohighmf]

Some people are trying to simulate nature. I try to manipulate it.

 

[ACBract]

I believe that you get better and healthier results by working with nature not forcing it.

 

[dub 6]

there's nothin more powerful than nature man. go with the flow.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

there's nothin more powerful than nature man. go with the flow.

one of the biggest stoner quotes i have ever read on here. very nice.

 

[toohighmf]

how natural is non organic salt based ferts and substrates? perfect photoperiods? co2 enrichment? artificial lighting? Aeroponics? some need to think a little more out the box, particularly indoors where you are only trying to create the perfect environment to produce the highest quality heaviest cannabis possible. unless grown by nature near a riverbed, naturally feeding the plants under sunlight (which will definitely suck without soil amendments and fertilizer) your not mimicking nature. its the reason we manipulate it. none of you guys top plants or FIM? Not very natural at all. indoor is superior to outdoor. period. why? perfect environment and food.. perfect photoperiod perfect everything is not natural..

 

[big ballin 88]

i think its hard to judge a light based on lumens alone. I know this has been discussed largely but even though a HPS may have more lumens per watt but a MH may be more efficient in terms of watts received per watt emitted by the plant. There are certain bulbs that make this true as mentioned earlier.

HPS lights are very high on the red side of the spectrum and when looked at in comparison to the usable spectrum of a plant it is hardly filled, and you actually are less efficient in terms of how much light is being put in and how much is being sent off as heat since the plant can't use it. The plants benefit through the extra light energy that is being emitted off the light. However it does seem that almost 2/3 of the power that is sent to the ballast is unusable by the plant.If you must ask what PAR is i suggest you look it up.

MH may be less in lumens however it can be much more effective if not the standard sparatic spectrum bulb. The mixed spectrum MH bulbs do make a big difference since they truly do cater to both sides of the spectrum providing increased lumen output with increased spectral efficiency which equates to more usable watts.

Just something to conisder because i am tired and rabbling on..

 

[GrnMtnGrwr]

not trying to be a dick, but please prove to me how even supplementing MH in a garden, let alone a split spectrum bulb is beneficial. I swear I tried putting a 400 between 2 1000's and even with more light I got significantly less to the other side with no MH. here's the other thing. MH does not put out as many lumens and HPS actually vegges plants faster. the only benefit I have seen from MH is that plants recognise the transition from blue to red at the flip and force flowering a little faster. MH might enhance trichrome production at the end, so if you want to use em during the last 2 weeks, you might notice more trichs.. I emphasize on "might".

MH reduces stretch, has UVB (HPS does not), and like you said, increases trichome production. Why wouldn't you want a broader spectrum of light for the plants to use?

 

[B. Friendly]

how natural is non organic salt based ferts and substrates? perfect photoperiods? co2 enrichment? artificial lighting? Aeroponics? some need to think a little more out the box, particularly indoors where you are only trying to create the perfect environment to produce the highest quality heaviest cannabis possible. unless grown by nature near a riverbed, naturally feeding the plants under sunlight (which will definitely suck without soil amendments and fertilizer) your not mimicking nature. its the reason we manipulate it. none of you guys top plants or FIM? Not very natural at all. indoor is superior to outdoor. period. why? perfect environment and food.. perfect photoperiod perfect everything is not natural..

are you talking yield or quality, two different things man.
my 80000 lumen mh Hortilux is superior to my 145000 lumen hps bulb because of its spectrum. No joke my plants respond in veg by growing faster under this light and so healthy looking and it is the closest bulb on the market to natural sunlight:
http://www.eyehortilux.com/blue.html
And dude the plants that grow near the equator naturally, fuk'n Rock and are quality through the roof. Also take a trip to kenya, had some buddies come back saying the shit was amazing.
Light is light and we are not going to suddenly introduce some new spectrum that plants will respond to better than what they have evolved to grow under for 1000's of Centuries!!!

 

[toohighmf]

you have your opinion. I have mine. if you only had the choice of 1 or the other what would it be? HPS or MH?

 

[B. Friendly]

your right between the two hps all the way


this is really cool for info on THC and UVB
http://www.greenmanspage.com/guides/thc.html

these lights are cheap and cool for flower as a supplemental and add the loved THC we want:
http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products/compact_fluorescent_bulbs.php

 

[toohighmf]

As for quality and yield.. the 2 come in hand in hand. if you doing everything right, you will be awarded with a bountiful and high quality crop. when we grow out plants poorly, the quality suffers as does yield.

 

[nippirt]

Hmmm . . . I've got a 400W magnetic HPS ballast, a 400W CMH lamp, and a 400W Sylvania HPS lamp. Planning to grow Easy Ryder and Low Rider in a 24 inch x 34 inch alcove (open front). I'm thinking CMH all the way.

 

[Mr.Meds]

Hmmm . . . I've got a 400W magnetic HPS ballast, a 400W CMH lamp, and a 400W Sylvania HPS lamp. Planning to grow Easy Ryder and Low Rider in a 24 inch x 34 inch alcove (open front). I'm thinking CMH all the way.

You won't be disappointed.

 

[vicious bee]

Has anyone grown the same plants under a 400W HPS and a 400W CMH and compared the two?

 

[Mr.Meds]

I started with HPS for AF and was unsatisfied with the potency. Switched to CMH with same scenarios and the meds were much better. I have no pictures for comparison anymore because they were unfortunately pre-computer-crash.

 

[Flying Goat]

I have a switchable ballast MH/HPS 400w lamp. I have noticed the best regimen (for me) is as follows: 1) seedlings & veg - 24/0 MH only, resulting in nice tight internode spacing & heavy veg growth. 2) I then switch to 12/12 HPS for flowering; 3) for the last 5 days, I switch to 12/12 MH for extra potency & resin formation; 4) I allow 5 days dark, semi-moist before cutting.

I am looking forward to receiving the 1k HPS/MH switchable I have on order. I truly appreciate the flexibility this set-up allows me re veg/mothers/buds & can't wait to try the autoflowers!

Whatever! In my 20+ years growing experience, I always finish the last 2 weeks under MH because of the noticeable jump in potency, regardless of strain.

Cheers.

 

[vicious bee]

Thanks for your replies. I have both CMH and HPS. Not really sure yet which works best for me. I like the looks of the CMH better but it seems clones take off better with the HPS. Not scientific just a very loose observation. Could be wrong.