2019 Best HPS Bulbs for Marijuana Plants Reviews High Pressure Sodium grow lights are dirt cheap! Even a higher end HPS system with a name-brand ballast will cost considerably less than an LED grow light of equivalent wattage. Additionally, HPS systems are modular, so if any one part in the system fails (like a bulb) you can replace it without having to pay for a completely new lighting system. As consumers we've all learned that the cheapness of something can sometimes be an indicator of its low quality, but HPS' are actually cheap for a pretty good reason. HPS lights have been used heavily in the US as streetlights since the 70s, and the technology used in the streetlights is pretty much identical to the technology contained in HPS grow lights.
How to Choose The Best HPS Bulbs in 2019 Selecting the right HPS bulb will depend on the setup of your indoor garden. Here are some few tips that will help you pick the right HPS bulb for your garden.
Coverage
HPS bulbs are available in five different sizes. Depending on the space you have, you should pick the right bub size that provides the best coverage. A good HPS bulb should provide the required amount of light without burning your plants. You can check out charts online for size breakdown and the coverage for every size.
Type of Reflector
Reflectors not only improve the HPS light but also protect the life of your bulb. There are two types of reflectors that you can choose from. We have open reflectors and air-cooled reflectors. Open reflectors provide plants with more light. They have an adjustable feature that helps you to keep the light far or near the plants. On the other hand, air-cooled reflectors capture the hot air and prevent it from reaching the plants. The reflector is ideal for enclosed spaces and grow tents.
Single-Ended or Double-Ended?
You can also choose to install a single-ended or a double-ended HPS bulb in your indoor garden. Single-ended HPS bulbs resemble the normal
incandescent bulb common in many homes. They are designed with a larger socket and they have an arc tube that produces light. Double-ended HPS bulbs are like the fluorescent tubes. They have two wires at each of the ends of the glass bulb where you can fasten them into the sockets.
Ballast
HPS bulbs need a ballast to work. You should make sure that you pick the right ballast that works well. The most common type of ballast used is the digital ballast that is compatible with many bulbs. It also uses less power and operates cooler without compromising the light intensity.
Spectrum
HPS bulbs utilize yellow and red light. This light spectrum is good for the reproductive process of the plants and growing buds. However, plants need more than the yellow and red spectrum. They also require a blue spectrum so it is important to select a bulb that provides enhanced spectrum to get the best results.
HPS Wattages HPS grow lights come in multiple wattages. The main three you will probably be considering are 1000w, 600w and 400w, since they are by far the three most efficient wattages and also the 3 most common for cannabis cultivation. Let's take a look at these three common wattages and also the slightly less powerful 250w bulb, since it is also quite useful for a beginning weed grower. You can find smaller wattages than that, but I don't feel they are worth the cost at that size.
1000 Watt HPS Grow Light
These are the most powerful lights and probably the most popular as well. The 600w lights are actually more efficient, but these deliver a lot more power and really ensure maximum yields. Naturally, there is a drawback. Two in fact. The first is heat. A 1000w HPS bulb emits insane amounts of heat, so you definitely need to have a good ventilation and cooling system set up to deal with that heat, especially if you live in a hot climate. The other major drawback is power consumption. 1000 watt bulbs use 1000 watts (be you never would have guessed that) and the ballasts use another 100w or so. That is a lot of power for just one light and if you have many, you can see how your operating costs will skyrocket. Not to mention the fact that such a high power usage will look suspicious. This is not a problem if you live somewhere where growing is legal, but if you don;t, it could be a major issue. 1000w bulbs and ballasts also cost more than lower wattages, thought the difference in price is not high enough that I consider this a drawback.
600 Watt HPS Grow Light
600 watts is the most efficient wattage for high pressure sodium grow light bulbs. This is where you get the most output per wattage. Once you move up to 1000 watts, the increase in output is less than the increase in wattage, making them slightly less efficient. 600w lights are also easier to deal with. They can hang closer without burning plants, so they don't need quite as much vertical space and they emit far less heat. They also, obviously, use less power and cost less to purchase. Generally, one 600 watt HPS bulb will cover an area of 4 by 4 feet, though the reflector you choose does make a difference.
400 Watt HPS Grow Light
400w high pressure sodium lights are a good choice for a smaller garden, or a space with less room to hang the lights high enough above your plants to avoid burning with more powerful bulbs. These lamps generally cover about 3 by 3 feet of space.
250 Watt HPS Grow Light
Once you get down below 400w, HPS lighting begins to make less and less sense. A 250 watt HPS lamp makes sense for a small 2 by 2 foot garden, but if you have anything larger, I'd use at least 400w bulbs. And even for a 2Ă—2 space, I'd consider going 400. The extra power will only help.
Eco Farm 600 Watt High Pressure Sodium HPS Bulb
Thinking of starting indoor gardening? The first thing you need to think about is getting quality HPS bulbs that will provide good lighting to your plants. There are so many HPS bulbs on the market but not all work well when it comes to providing lighting similar to that of the sun. Of course, you do not want to install a bulb that will burn your plants or one that doesn't provide ample lighting. If you want better yields, try the Eco Farm 600 Watt grow light. This is a nice bulb from a well-recognized manufacturer of grow lights. The bulb is perfect for blooming, fruiting and flowering among others. This bulb helps you to grow better plants by giving you reliable lighting and a high performance. It has a lumen output of 85,000 and it is compatible with both magnetic and electronic ballasts. The bulbs are specifically designed for effective plant growth. It has red and orange spectrum and a high photosynthetic active radiation that enhance better flowering and fruiting.
The bulbs also have an extra-low lumen depreciation where it maintains 90 percent of the initial lumen output after being in use for 6500 hours. The bulb provides a longer life of 32,000 hours. So this 600 watt hps bulb reviews can help to make a perfect decision indeed.
Highlighted Features
Low lumen depreciation Has a vertical and horizontal orientation Purposely designed to promote plant growth Compatible a with all 600 watts digital ballasts The bulb has an expected lifespan of 32,000 hours
Pros
They offer fast shipping It is tear and rust resistant Perfect for fog penetration Reliable and offers a high performance Has red and orange spectrum for flower growth The hook material is designed with a durable material
Cons
Need to improve the longevity
Apollo Horticulture GLBHPS1000 1000 - Watt Bulb
High-pressure sodium grow light is a type of lighting for indoor gardening that mimics the rays of the sun. If you want to achieve high yields and fast growth, HPS bulbs will help you achieve all that. Apollo Horticulture GLBHPS1000 grow lamp works well for indoor gardening. The bulbs work well in stimulating flower growth and fruiting. It is compatible with both magnetic and electronic ballasts. The main purpose of Apollo Horticulture is to provide you with high-quality hydroponic equipment at affordable prices. The bulbs are perfect for use in greenhouses with good ventilation only. The bulb feature 2000K Red-Orange spectrum that is perfect for hydroponic plant growth. This makes it perfect for people who are into professional hydroponic cultivation. Investing in these bulbs will provide you with many years of use. With the improved lamp life, lumen output and 110V power, the bulbs offer a life of 24,000 hours. You can use the bulbs for quite a long time to provide lighting to your plants. This best 1000 watt hps bulb has a start time of 10 seconds and you should allow between 3-5 minutes of warmup. Also, wait for around 5 minutes after shutting down the power before you strike again.
Highlighted Features
Stimulates fruiting and flower growth The expected bulb life is 24,000 hours This bulbs have a start time of 10 seconds The bulb is compatible with magnetic and electronic ballasts Purposely made for professional hydroponic plant cultivation
Pros
They are affordable The bulbs are bright Provides good lighting Bulbs are easy to install Works well with magnetic and digital ballasts
Cons
The warranty is short
Vivosun 600 Watt High Pressure Sodium Bulbs
With today's technological advancements, you do not need to depend on the natural planting seasons to grow plants. Grow lights are designed to mimic the sun's rays when growing plants indoors. Looking for the most reliable HPS bulbs on the market? Get the VIVOSUN 1-Pack 600 Watt. These are quality bulbs that are designed to provide artificial lighting for growing plants indoors. The 600 watts bulb is compatible with magnetic and electronic ballasts and has a lumen output of 90000. It also has extra low lumen depreciation. It can maintain over 90 percent of the initial lumen output after operating for 5000 hours. The best hps light or bulbs optimize red and orange spectrum and a high photosynthetic active radiation. This stimulates the growth of plants and enhances fruiting. This best 600 watt hps bulb allows a startup time of 2-3 minutes to be fully bright. After you power off, wait for around five minutes before you strike again. Unlike other bulbs, this best 600 watt hps bulb model is UV treated to prevent it from fading. It also features a woven fabric and quality stitching for durability.
Highlighted Features
An expected life of 24000 hours Has a startup time of 2-3 minutes Has an extra-low lumen depreciation
The bulb is compatible with magnetic and electronic ballasts Has optimized orange and red spectrum for flower growth and fruiting
Pros
Has a longer life Comes at a good price Works well as advertised The bulb produces good light Has a warm color temperature for flowering plants
Cons
The bulb stops working sometimes