Indoor Growing Under Artificial Lighting: HPS vs. LED
In today’s article, we will look at the main differences between the most commonly used lighting fixtures, namely sodium discharge lamps (HPS) and the increasingly popular LED lighting. If you are serious about cultivation, it pays to keep up with the times!
A grow tent or any enclosed growing area requires a quality light source. Which is more suitable for you? Here are a few facts which should make it easier for you to decide how to light your plants in your grow box. And perhaps it is time for a change!
- LED diodes emit significantly less heat than classic HPS discharge lamps. As a result, even a smaller grow tent does not overheat inside.
- Another advantage of the lower heat output of LED diodes is that you can place these lights closer to the tops of the plants without concern, so you can grow, for example, taller plants than when using discharge lamps.
- Less heat can also be undesirable in the winter months, so the plants need a little extra heating. In practice, however, it is usually enough simply to reduce the intensity of air exchange, so you need a smaller fan and odour, or carbon filter. Lower air exchange also increases the efficiency of CO2 supplementation, if needed.
- LED diodes also stand out for their lower energy use, so if you are not trying to grow a one-off crop, but would like to harvest several times a year, over the longer term your investment in this technology will easily pay for itself.
- A wider and more even spread of light is another benefit of LED lighting. For example, the renowned “LEDs” in the ZEUS and ATTIS series from Lumatek are a typical example. This still unbeaten pioneer in the field of LED lighting for indoor growers shines on plants from several angles at once. Not only is the light radiation used more efficiently, but the “LEDs” naturally prevent the formation of so-called “hot spots”, or areas with undesirable intensity of light reflected by the reflector. A reflector, an indispensable accessory for discharge lamps, is practically unnecessary with LED lighting. In reality, the need for a reflector is zero thanks to the excellent light spread directly from the source.
The unbeatable ZEUS 600W LED from Lumatek
- When using discharge lamps, if you try to regulate their output, cultivation practice leads to reduced lighting efficiency and also undesirable changes in the light spectrum. In addition, you need a ballast and a reflector. This does not happen with LED technology. As for the spectrum, “growing LEDs” perfectly imitate natural sunlight for all plants, which is of course soon visible in the harvest, whether you grow herbs, vegetables or fruit.
- For example, using a control unit, you can simulate morning and evening for the plants. This allows you to extend the time devoted to the formation of abundant flowers or juicy fruits. Especially if you are one of those playful types who like to experiment, LED lighting is the clear favourite for you, so that, as the saying goes, there are no tears from toys... With modern technology that is gentle on plants, you simply cannot go wrong, and you gain far greater scope for the individual needs that each plant has.
- LED lights are also a better choice for anyone who is just starting with indoor growing. You simply connect them and switch them on. LED diodes can therefore be used effectively even without experience. As your experience grows, new possibilities will gradually open up for making maximum use of all their additional features to increase yields without needing to change equipment!
- The difficulty in choosing LED lighting, unlike discharge lamps, is that manufacturers commonly measure the stated values in a highly incomparable way. The values are often very misleading. With discharge lamps, you simply choose according to wattage, which is fixed and that is that. With LED lights, you can no longer rely 100% on the “paper” values. We therefore recommend basing your decision mainly on experience with the given light. You can find this out from other growers, on the internet, or you can always ask us directly (info@higarden.cz).
- LED lights have always represented the best option for the vegetative stage of plants. However, in recent times modern full-spectrum lights have also surpassed HPS discharge lamps during the flowering stage.
We recommend these products:
- Lumatek ZEUS - unbeatable LED lighting for demanding users.
- Lumatek ATTIS - top-quality LED lighting offers excellent options at a favourable price, appreciated even by experienced growers.
- Viparspectra PRO Series P600 - quality LED basics, perfect for beginners!
- TLED VF - fluorescent tubes for supplementary lighting of plants in their immediate vicinity, suitable for example for the corners of a tent, where they light areas that the top light cannot reach.
- Discounted complete LED sets, from which everyone looking for a comprehensive solution for growing in a grow box using modern technology will choose.
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