Indoor growers have always chosen to use so-called HPS lamps over the years. This is not so strange, because these lamps deliver good performance and were therefore the best option for growing for a long time. Today, however, there are several interesting alternatives on the market that we would like to introduce to you.
1.) Fluorescent lighting
Not all alternatives have been introduced to the market only recently, on the contrary. Take for example the so-called TL lighting. This type of lighting is available in different forms, such as in tubes, but TL lighting can also be implemented in energy-saving lamps. In addition, there are also special TL lamps on the market today that were developed for indoor cultivation. These lamps are complete and equipped with a fixture. You should take into account that it is equipped with the correct colour temperature. Colour 865 or 840 is suitable for growth, while colours 827 and 830 are mainly used for customers during flowering. By using TL lighting, it is possible to harvest as many Watts as is the case with an HPS without any problems. In addition, many growers want nothing else than TL lighting. A not unimportant advantage is that you can hang the lighting a little closer to the plants, namely up to a distance of 10 centimetres. In addition, the light is also better distributed and does not come from a single point.
2.) LED lights
The integration of LED lighting for growers is somewhat more recent than the use of fluorescent lighting. Initially, these lamps were mainly used for growing cannabis. The lamps were able to perform well, but did not yet come close to HPS lamps. In addition, it took considerably longer for the plants to flower under LED lighting. However, this seems to be a thing of the past today. A lot of research is being done into the possibilities and applications of LED lighting, which makes them increasingly smarter. This ensures that they already have a built-in switch block today and you have the option of manually adjusting the color temperature, which means you no longer need a separate growth or flowering lamp. In addition, these lamps also have a built-in fan, which can efficiently blow away the heat. There are many interesting advantages associated with the use of LED lighting for growers. Not only is the use of LEDs much more energy-efficient, which can generate structural savings on your power consumption, they are also much safer to use than HPS lamps. They are also very easy to connect and can be hung a little closer above the plants. Add to that the fact that LED lighting is particularly suitable for use in small spaces and you immediately have many interesting reasons to use this type of lighting for your cultivation.
3.) Plasma grow lights
Sulfur plasma lamps are innovative light sources that operate without electrodes and deliver a strong and stable light output. They produce a continuous full spectrum that closely resembles natural sunlight, including UV and infrared components. This makes them ideal for applications in professional horticulture, research, and plant breeding, where light quality is crucial.
Advantages:
Full spectrum light for optimal photosynthesis and healthy plant growth.
High efficiency and low heat generation compared to conventional lamps.
Long lifespan thanks to electrodeless operation.
Even light distribution for consistent results throughout the entire grow space.
Disadvantages:
Higher initial investment and the need for specialized lighting.
Nevertheless, sulfur plasma lamps are a durable and powerful choice for those seeking maximum yield and quality.
4.) Induction grow lights
A final alternative is the use of so-called induction grow lights. These lamps are actually fluorescent lamps with the only difference that they do not have electrodes. Instead of these electrodes, they have a special antenna coil. Where regular fluorescent lamps have a limited luminous flux, this is not the case with the induction lamp. These lamps are also available in various wattages and they also have a favorable lifespan of 60,000 burning hours. In addition, they can also have a perfectly adjusted color temperature and they hardly get warm, which means that they can be placed very close to the plants. Finally, induction lamps have the perfect PAR and PUR, which ensures that plants can absorb the light in an extremely efficient way.
Source: https://www.rollingstoned.nl/alternatieve-kweekverlichting/
Back