When it comes to grow light solutions, it seems as if there are as many choices as there are varieties of plants for your garden. The two main grow lights, Metal Halide (MH) and High Pressure Sodium (HPS) are High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights used in hydroponic gardening. Metal Halide grow lights are generally used during a plant’s growing cycle – i.e., when it is not blooming or bearing fruit. HPS lights are used during a plant’s fruiting/blooming phase. There are two sub-types of HPS lighting: one is enhanced for the blue spectrum, which is better for fruiting, and the other is red spectrum enhanced, which specific benefits flowering. In addition, there are mercury-vapor lamps, which are similar to modern streetlights, and fluorescent grow lights.
All indoor grow lights make use of what is known as a ballast system. With MH and HPS lights, these are remote, meaning that an external box is required in order to house an electronic pre-heating system, which in turn runs the lamp itself.
Historically, all types of HID grow lights have a useful life of approximately 1 – 1-1/2 years. Although they will usually operate beyond this time, their luminescence is compromised – meaning that they will produce substantially less light, yet continue to consume the same amount of electricity.
With the advent of LED grow lights, are HPS and MH lights obsolete?
LED stands for “Light-Emitting Diode.” LED lights have actually been around for a long time – some people who built models of spacecraft from popular science fiction may recall the old “grain-o-wheat” bulbs used to illuminate them. LED lights have also been used in calculators, digital displays and movement sensors (your new cordless optical mouse probably has a motion-sensing LED device).
Unlike most traditional types of glow lights – each of which have its own specific application – LED grow lights can be tuned to specific wavelengths according to the needs of the particular plant. LED grow lights are also much more efficient, using only a fraction of the energy required even by fluorescent lights while providing much greater luminescence.
The best part of LED grow lights is their durability. Unlike MH or HPS lights which usually must be replaced after 18 months, LED lamps are built to function for up to 100,000 hours – nearly twelve years with normal usage averaging 18 hours per day.
Another feature of LED grow lights that make them superior to other types is the substantially lower amount of hear produced. Unlike other types of grow lights, LEDs are cool burning. This means that less heat is produced to affect the plant, nor will an elaborate ventilation system be required in order to carry away excess heat.
The drawback of LED grow lights is their relative expense; they require a greater initial investment than most other types of grow lights. However, because of their efficiency and durability, they quickly pay for themselves in terms of long-term energy savings.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any flourescent light available to use ...
By: lightbulb | 09-01-2008
Are there any flourescent light available to use? Will I need to leave grow lights on for eighteen hours if I have four to six hours of indirect sunlight? I want to supplement short-light days with artificial. 300 watts seems kinda high for what I want to do.
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Gardening Articles
Garden Design- a Way to Design Your Dream Garden
By: Article Manager | 06/10/2008
Garden designing is the way to give an attractive appearance to your garden. Generally, gardens are the greatest attraction in any landscape. If more and more gardens are designed, it will be helpful to keep home and other places pollution free. Garden design is an art to give a good shape to your garden.
Gardening - Tips and Techniques
By: Martin Milewski | 06/10/2008
One of the oldest hobbies known to man, gardening has withstood the test of time as a hobby. It is not only enjoyable but fruitful as well in more ways than one because plants actually bear fruits. You can grow your own flower and vegetables and even fruit. Gardening is...
The Innovative Push Reel Lawn Mowers
By: George Kilbride | 05/10/2008
Push reel lawn mowers are generally used to cut off home turf. But do you know that this also stands for a higher purpose? It is a given fact that people use this equipment for gardening to retain clean and well-maintained surroundings. But apart from this, it is also considered...
Concrete Garages | Accommodating Your 4wd Vehicle
By: Nicolas Paice | 05/10/2008
Tips on choosing a concrete sectional garage of a size suitable for 4WD vehicles
Bulbs for Fall Planting
By: Aura Angheliu | 05/10/2008
Spring flowering bulbs are planted in the fall. Late September is the time to begin, but spring bulbs can be planted up to December as long as the soil is not frozen solid.
In spring, nature unlocks her treasure chest to reveal the beauty of bulbs. The glorious displays in gardens and parks are the result of gardeners who plan ahead: Tulip, Daffodil, Hyacinth Flowering Onion, Amaryllis, Anemone (Windflower), Glory of the snow, Crocus, Trout lily, Common snowdrop, Spring Starflower.
Online Shopping & Gardening Tips for the Young, Marvellous and Broke
By: Robert | 04/10/2008
Clever ideas to take your pad from dreary to dazzling without breaking the bank
Growing Roses - The Top 5 Mistakes Most People Make
By: Dave Leach | 03/10/2008
As a rose grower myself and author of a gardening website, I get many questions about why a certain rose bush has failed or what a person might be doing wrong. Over time, these many mistakes people make, began to fall into five major categories. The five major rose growing mistakes that most people could avoid!
Art of Growing a Bonsai Tree
By: nlwest21 | 02/10/2008
The art of shrinking trees as they grow has become a popular practice in all parts of the world and is considered not only artistic - but in some cultures it is spiritual to them.
More from Susan Slobac
Mechanisms to Simplify Weight Conversion
By: Susan Slobac | 12/09/2008 | Travel Tips
Most countries across the globe use the metric system for computing weights, so it pays to learn how to make the switch to metric so that you can understand weight conversion when you are traveling.
Temperature Conversion Allows You to Dress Comfortably When Traveling Overseas
By: Susan Slobac | 11/09/2008 | Travel Tips
Familiarity with the basics of temperature conversion ensures that you are comfortable as you travel internationally. You can perform the math yourself, or rely on the ease of use that comes from a temperature conversion calculator or table.
Try Mileage Conversion Tools the Next Time You Travel Abroad
By: Susan Slobac | 08/09/2008 | Travel Tips
You can perform the math yourself or utilize a mileage conversion calculator or table that takes the hassle out of metric conversion when you are out traveling abroad.
Metric Conversion is Simple When You Use a Length Conversion Table or Calculator
By: Susan Slobac | 05/09/2008 | Travel Tips
When traveling overseas, you will find it handy to use a length conversion table or length conversion calculator. Either metric conversion tool are helpful in understanding and using metric lengths in a more cognizant manner on your trip abroad.
When Traveling Abroad, Use Distance Conversion to Calculate How Far You Need to Go
By: Susan Slobac | 05/09/2008 | Travel Tips
Unless you are traveling in the United States, Liberia or Myanmar, you will need to know metric distance conversion. You can do the math yourself or use a couple of handy metric conversion helpers to make the job easier.
Earn an MBA in Australia
By: Susan Slobac | 04/09/2008 | College and University
There are ample opportunities for business students to acquire a top-notch education from a global perspective when pursuing an MBA in New Zealand or Australia.
Choosing the Best College in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji
By: Susan Slobac | 03/09/2008 | College and University
While the level of academic excellence is consistent between any college in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, students are well served researching the institutions, the programs offered and the location before deciding upon any one schoo
Attending University Abroad in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji
By: Susan Slobac | 03/09/2008 | College and University
Susan Slobac advises college students on taking advantage of opportunities to study abroad. She specializes in providing guidance in regards to selecting a university in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.
Home and Family 
