Alternative grow lighting to replace HPS lamps
In the past, indoor growers generally used high-pressure sodium lamps, such as HPS lamps. However, there are now many alternatives on the market, each with its own advantages.
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Fluorescent lighting is available at any hardware store and comes in various shapes and colors. The color temperature you should choose depends on the lamp's function. If you want a growth light, choose color 865 or 840. For a flowering light, choose 827 or 830.
The last two digits represent the color temperature. For example: 840 is 4000 degrees Kelvin and 830 is 3000 degrees Kelvin. Flowering is best achieved at a color temperature between 2100 and 2700 Kelvin.
Fluorescent lighting produces the same yield as HPS lamps. However, you can hang fluorescent lamps closer to the plants, up to 10 cm. Moreover, the light distribution is better, which promotes better plant growth.
LED
LED lighting has constantly evolved, resulting in high-performance LED lighting now available on the market. LED grow light fixtures include a built-in clock that allows you to set the time. This allows you to automatically adjust the light throughout the day, eliminating the need to buy a separate grow light or flowering light. Furthermore, a fan blows away heat from the lamp to keep it cool.
A major advantage of LED grow lights is their lower energy consumption. Moreover, this type of lighting is safer than HPS lamps. It's also easy to install and requires no ballast. LED lights can also be hung closer to plants than HPS lamps , at a maximum distance of 10 cm. This makes LED lighting perfect for small growing spaces, such as in a grow box.
Plasma
Plasma lamps are more powerful than LED and fluorescent lighting, but therefore much more expensive. This light most closely resembles real sunlight.
Induction
Induction grow lights produce a relatively higher luminous flux than fluorescent lighting, have a longer lifespan (60,000 hours), and have a perfectly adjusted color temperature. Induction lights are available in various wattages. These lights hardly heat up, allowing you to hang them very close to your plants.
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