HPS Grow Lights vs MH Grow Lights

Between HPS and MH, which is the most suitable and perfect grow light to use? Funny enough, a lot of HID grow light enthusiasts suggest the use of both lights.

HPS grow lights are ideal for flowering while MH (metal halide) grow lights are best for vegetative growth.

Although these lights have their specifications when it comes to their use, HID considers them to be a perfect combo for vegetative growth and flowering. The strength of both lights when used at the right time yields the best results.

But if you must make a choice between the two lights, your choice should be based on the kind of plant you want to produce.

However, you should pay close attention to the supplier of this product. Getting quality HPS grow lights is essential for your plants, so purchasing from a good manufacturer is needed

High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) grow lights

HPS which means High-Pressure Sodium is a type of HID (i.e High-Intensity Discharge) grow light. HPS grow light has a reddish or orange output.

If you've seen a street light that isn't florescent yet with so much brightness and illumination, you may have likely seen a HPS growing light.

Although HPS lights are useful for general light applications, HPS grow lights are specifically manufactured for growing plants and producing even more light than the standard HPS lightening.

When it comes to flowering, two major factor makes HPS stand out as a better option compared to MH.

First of all, is the reddish color output produced by HPS which looks like the natural sun the plant absorbs in an autumn season which is the drive for it maximal flower production.

Also, the light intensity (lumens) produced by HPS lights is higher compared to MH. This is around 20-40% of more lumens/watt than the intensity of light produced by MH lights even  with the same wattage.

And you must know that when it comes to flowering, the lighter – the better the results.

Nowadays, HPS grow bulbs have been modified to give an enhanced spectrum with higher blue output. This output is very good for vegetative growth.

The brightness and longevity of HPS bulbs is better and last longer compared to that of MH. However, their efficiency rate begins to drop as it gets old and wear out. Hence, replacement is very important before it completely burns out.

As regarding this, replacement of these HPS bulbs should be after regular use of 12-18 months. This is the general recommendation for the replacement of these types of light bulbs.

Metal Halide (MH) grow lights

Metal Halides are another unique type of HID grow light. Unlike their counterpart HPS, they give a crisp bluish white light to the plants.

As it is also called "full spectrum", the output supplied by metal halides is distributed equally across the visible light range just like midday sunlight.

Due to the balanced spectrum, MH produces lush, great vegetative growth which will enhance production the moment the plants are ready to flower.

But, for plants that receive excess red light at the vegetative stage become spindly and produce fewer flowering sites.

Therefore, MH becomes the ideal choice for those who grow kale or some other vegetative crops such as basil and lettuce.

There are mainly two MH bulbs that are regularly available to growers. They are;

• Standard metal halide bulbs must have their operation done on metal halide ballast or digital ballast.
• Metal halide conversion build which must have its operation carried out on standard high-pressure sodium ballast or digital ballast.

Metal halide conversion bulbs which have their operation done on HPS ballast or digital ballast, have a full spectrum output that is the same as standard MH bulbs. Also, with a higher lumen rating which is an added advantage.

The construction of Metal Halide lamp is more given and involved in color customization much more than the construction of HPS lamp.

By this, with Metal Halide bulbs, a wider variation of light output is available to growers. In the blue spectrums, there are "Blue MH" grow lights specialized to supply more energy light, but supplies less in other spectrums.

Also, there are MH bulbs with increased red spectrum that are created with the purpose of mimicking the output of HPS lights.

Even with the MH grow lights modification, an HPS-like HM bulb is yet not effective as having a full-fledged HPS light under which your plants can be flowered. Although, this is also as a result of the significant difference in light intensity.

Purchase high-quality HPS grow light

HPS grow light is very important in indoor planting. Therefore, it should be a priority for you as it will help enhance your productivity.

We offer quality HPS grow light which has maximum efficiency and yields good production. We are a reputable company with a track record of excellence over the years.

We want to offer you the best quality you can find. Kindly contact us today to place your order.