Do You Plan on Growing Cannabis Indoors?
Growing cannabis indoors, while lacking natural sunlight exposure, can be effectively compensated with high-performing High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) grow lights. These lights provide the intense illumination required for cannabis to grow and produce healthy buds, especially beneficial during the flowering stage. Compared to basic lights, HPS lights have a distinct design and superior performance, excelling in lumen production for your plants when needed. Significantly more efficient than incandescent bulbs, HPS lights surpass other grow lights like HID, LED, and T5s by 40% in efficiency. Trusted for over a century, HPS lights are a reliable choice for fostering healthy reproductive stages in cannabis growth.
How Does A Grow Light Work?
Grow lights replicate sunlight’s spectrum, triggering photosynthesis, which is vital for plants to convert light energy into chlorophyll. Different stages of cannabis growth utilize varied light wavelengths. Early growth stages need shorter blue wavelengths, while the flowering stage is triggered by longer, cool red wavelengths. Grow lights emulate the changing light conditions of a day, providing specific spectral wavelengths to meet plants’ needs.
What Is An HPS Grow Light
An HPS light, a high-intensity discharge light, consists of a large gas-filled bulb. The ignition of gases between two electrodes produces light. The key difference between HPS and other HID bulbs lies in the gases used. HPS bulbs, named after the High-Pressure Sodium they employ, also incorporate a ballast for energy regulation and a reflector or hood for focused light distribution. Despite their effectiveness in the flowering stage, the lack of blue spectrum makes them less suitable for early growth, prompting growers to combine HPS with LED or MH lights initially.
Color Spectrum Of HPS Lights
Understanding the color spectrum of HPS bulbs is crucial, especially for cannabis cultivation. Cannabis plants favor the red/orange light from HPS bulbs, a response linked to their annual life cycle and natural growth stages. This phenomenon, known as phototropism, influences cannabis plants to shift from leaf growth to flower production in response to seasonal light changes.
HPS Ballast
The ballast in an HPS light ensures stable power supply to the arc tube, regulating energy according to the bulb’s wattage. Without a ballast, bulbs would quickly burn out due to power overload. Modern digital ballasts often feature automatic shutdown for safety during power surges.
Types Of Magnetic Ballast
When choosing HPS ballasts, growers can opt between magnetic and digital versions. Magnetic ballasts, using copper coils and steel, are heavier but known for their affordability and durability. Digital ballasts, however, offer advanced features like dimming options, remote control, and built-in fans, providing flexibility and ease of installation.
All-In-One HPS System
For lower wattages (150w to 400w), all-in-one HPS systems that include a hood, bulb, and attached ballast are available, particularly suitable for small-scale growers due to their compactness and cost-efficiency.
HPS Systems Hoods
HPS hoods, varying in shapes and sizes, distribute light evenly and manage heat through built-in fans. Made with reflective materials, they maximize light reach to the canopy, crucial for effective plant growth.
Types Of HPS Grow Lights
Various HPS bulbs are available, each suited for different scales of cultivation. From the smallest 150-watt lights ideal for closet spaces to the extensive coverage of 1000-watt lights for large gardens, growers can select based on their specific needs and growing styles.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING THE BEST HPS GROW LIGHT
Prior to purchasing an HPS light, consider factors like ceiling space, wattage, room size, bulb type (single or double-ended), cost, and warranty. These elements will influence the light’s effectiveness in your specific growing environment, ensuring you choose the best option for your cannabis cultivation needs.
The Best HPS Cannabis Grow Lights Are Reviewed Below
Table of Contents
Below are the top best HPS grow lights for cannabis.
1
SUN SYSTEM (150W HPS) GROW LAMP
This HPS system is excellently designed for small grow rooms or can serve as supplementary lighting. It’s equipped with a built-in ballast and reflector, alongside air cooling and ventilation features to efficiently dispel heat. With a coverage area of four square feet, it’s perfectly suited to support a handful of flowering cannabis plants during winter or to boost a small garden’s off-season productivity.
The system arrives fully assembled and ready for immediate use. It boasts a white powder coat finish, effectively guarding against rust in humid conditions. The system’s housing is robust and built to last. Included in the package is a hook for easy installation, although it does not come with a hanging ratchet system. Additionally, it features a 120-volt, seven-foot grounded power cord for convenient and safe power access.
Key Features:
- 16,000 lumens grow light
- Two-year warranty
- Complete grow fixture
Specification:
- Brand: SUN SYSTEM
- Model: SUN SYSTEM (150W HPS) GROW LAMP
- Weight: 7.75 Pounds
- Dimensions: 18.1 * 9 * 6.5 inches
Pros
- It is lightweight
- It operates almost silently
- It uses a very low amperage
Cons
- It doesn’t come in discreet shipping boxes
- It is quite difficult to get a hold of the customer support
2
iPower (400 Watt) HPS Grow Light
Should you be in need of a comprehensive HPS grow light system, this particular model is an ideal fit. It includes two bulbs and a reliable timer. Notably, it features a digital dimmable ballast that operates quietly, with the only audible sound being a small fan.
The system’s digital ballast is versatile, offering adjustable settings at 50, 75, or 100 percent to optimize coverage and efficiency. It delivers higher lumens compared to a magnetic ballast. The bulb, rated at 400 watts and with a 2100k color temperature, provides the necessary light for effective photosynthesis, essential for plant growth and reproduction.
Additionally, the system is equipped with a wing reflector designed to prevent refraction, thus ensuring optimal light coverage for your plants. The setup also allows for customization to suit specific growing requirements.
Key Features:
- 400 watts bulb
- Dimmable options
- Heavy-duty, 8 feet power cord
- Digital ballast
- Adjustable ratchet
- Wing reflector
- Hydroponic S-plug
Specification:
- Brand: iPower
- Model: iPower (400 Watt HPS MH) Digital Dimmable Grow Light
- Weight: 1.1 Pounds
- Dimensions: 21 * 5 * 17 inches
- Material: Aluminum
Pros
- The bulb is CE certified, and UL listed
- The digital ballast has a dimmable feature and also quiet
- It uses less power and has no acoustic resonance
- Its design ensures that it has no exposed wired
- The light lasts long with no flickering
Cons
- The temperature control is quite difficult because of the wing reflector
- Sometimes the MH bulb might not ignite
3
IPOWER (1000 WATTS) HPS DIGITAL DIMMABLE GROW LIGHT SYSTEM
iPower is a well-known name in the industry; they offer a wide variety of choices when it comes to HID lights. This HPS system has a digital ballast with the dimming function; it allows you to control the output of light from 50%, 75% and 100% intensity. This lets you avoid having to adjust the height of your setup as your plants mature.
It comes with a wing refractor that provides you with the best coverage and also reduces cost. However, it does not have a cooling system, so it is important that you have an adequate cooling system. It comes with an in-built 10-foot heavy duty power cord and hanging ratchets. These components make it easy to mount and move this HPS light about.
Key Features:
- Digital dimmable ballast
- 8 feet power cord
- Adjustable ratchet
- 19-inch wing reflector
Specification:
- Brand: IPOWER
- Model: IPOWER (1000 WATTS) HPS GROW LIGHT SYSTEM
- Weight: 11 Pounds
- Dimensions: 19 * 19 * 6 inches
Pros
- It is simple yet powerful
- The bulbs have a one-year free replacement
- It improves your overall yield
Cons
- It causes a lot of heat
- Sometimes it may be shipped roughly but it’s covered by the warranty
4
Hydroplanet Horticulture (1000W) HPS Grow Light
If you own a hydroponic gardening space and need the right light to support your plants, this HPS grow light will suit you well. The light has a 1000 watt rating; however, it has adjustable power settings that allow you to bring it down to 600 watts or 400 watts. This grow light has an automatic system that switches it from MH and HPS bulbs.
This HPS lamp is not like the standard lights; it is able to use both 120 volts to 240 volts. It is capable of operating with a 1000 watt magnetic or digital ballast. It also comes with an integrated cooling fan that allows you to control the temperature. It prevents the ballast from overheating the system. It features a wing reflector that is designed to offer wide and bright light coverage.
Key Features:
- Digital ballast
- 19-inch basic wing
- 24-hour timer
- Heavy-duty rope hanger
- 2 years warranty
Specification:
- Brand: Hydroplanet
- Model: Hydroplanet Horticulture (1000W HPS MH) Grow Light System
- Weight: 13.72 Pounds
- Dimensions: 21.8 * 14.6 * 8.4 inches
Pros
- It automatically converts between HPS lights and MH lights
- It is ETL listed, and CE certified
- It supports two voltages 120V and 240V
- It has an in-built fan that regulates the operating temperature
- The lamp is compatible with both magnetic and digital ballasts
- It has an adjustable power setting between 600 watts to 400 watts
Cons
- Sometimes the bulb may fail to ignite
5
APOLLO HORTICULTURE 600 WATT GROW LIGHT DIGITAL DIMMABLE HPS SYSTEM
This HPS grow system provides you with everything you need to grow your plants. It comes with an air cool hood, a ballast, timer, hanging ratchets and an HPS and MH bulb. It emits a blue spectral wavelength in order to provide your plants with what they need to grow. It also comes in a 400 watt and 600-watt support. Its ballast is made out of steel and aluminium, and it allows you to dim the light to control your light output.
It comes with an air cool hood that helps reduce the heat that is caused by the bulbs. However, if you have proper ventilation in your grow room, the glass on the hood will stay cool even after hours of consistent use. It comes with an 8-foot power cord that can be used 110 to 240-volt outlet.
Key Features:
- Dimmable, fan cooling ballast
- A reflector
- Pair of hangers
- 56,000 lumens
- Dimmable option
Specification:
- Brand: APOLLO HORTICULTURE
- Model: APOLLO HORTICULTURE 600 WATT GROW LIGHT DIGITAL DIMMABLE HPS SYSTEM
- Weight: 23.5 Pounds
- Dimensions: 24.41 * 17.72 * 9.45 inches
Pros
- It offers you proper coverage
- It stays cool to the touch even after hours of use
- It uses less energy
Cons
- The sealing of the glass could be better
- It can be difficult to reach customer care
Buying Guide Questions
Comparing HPS and LED Grow Lights: Which is Superior?
While HPS lights are known for higher electricity usage and heat production, necessitating a robust ventilation system, LED lights stand out for their efficiency and lower energy consumption.
Understanding HPS Grow Lights
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights, integral to the high-intensity discharge (HID) system, emit a red light spectrum predominantly used in the flowering stage of plant growth.
Top Choice for HPS Grow Light and Its Coverage
The SUN SYSTEM 150W HPS PLUG AND PLAY GROW LAMP ranks as our top HPS grow light recommendation. A 1000W HPS grow light can effectively cover an area of 7 by 7 feet.
Utilizing HPS Lights Throughout the Growth Cycle
HPS lights are versatile enough to be used for the entire growth cycle, potentially enhancing overall yields.
Safety Aspects of HPS Lights
Despite emitting significant UV rays, HPS lights are generally safe as they are equipped with filters in their casing to mitigate harmful effects.
Plant Capacity Under a 1000 Watt HPS Light
You can accommodate between 16 to 19 plants under a 1000 watt HPS light.
Maintenance Schedule for HPS Grow Lights
It’s advisable to replace the bulbs in HPS grow lights annually, as they tend to lose about 20% of their output every year.
Effectiveness of HPS in the Flowering Stage
HPS lights are highly effective for the flowering stage due to their intense light emission.
Operating Cost for a 600-Watt HPS Light
The monthly cost to operate a 600-watt HPS light is approximately $31.92.
Plant Count for 600-Watt HPS Grow Light
Around 16 plants can be grown under a 600-watt HPS grow light.
Sufficiency of 150w HPS for Single Plant Growth
A 150-watt HPS light is well-suited for growing 1 to 2 plants.
Appropriateness of 1000w HPS for Small Gardens
A 1000 watt HPS grow light may be excessive for small gardens but is suitable for larger operations.
Conclusion
This guide provides comprehensive insights into HPS grow lights, helping you determine the ideal wattage for your garden or grow room.
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