Veg stage - Full spectrum LED or a 5000k MH

NugHeuser

Well-Known Member
You can find arguments all over with comparisons and statistics ect for hps vs led in the flowering stage. But what about in the vegetative state, what produces faster, more healthy developement?
Let's say were comparing equal actual wattage at the wall.

In your experience, what do you go with??
 

Rahz

Well-Known Member
Cob is the better choice, but I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest 3000-4000K 70-80CRI. There is a reason for this. Anything beyond 4000K has a really low red/orange photon count. Orange and red is where the high photosynthetic efficiency is. Therefore anything above 4000K probably isn't going to produce the fastest growth.

People used MH over HPS to avoid a lot of stretch during veg. If you're looking to avoid stretch you want a low CRI as it's been shown that 90 CRI samples (being heavier in far red) produce more stretch than 70 or 80 CRI. So 4000K 70 or 80 CRI will provide the most blue light and almost no far red without cutting out the high orange/red levels.
 

jimihendrix1

Well-Known Member
I use the Eye Hortilux HPS Superbulb in both Veg, and Flower, and have since the 90s. Its got Added Blue, so it works for both Veg, and Flower.

If I was buying new I would go with a Gavita, and probably will anyway. They can be Dimmed.


HORTILUX® SUPER HPS

HORTILUX Super HPS light has been the best grow lamp for the last 25 years. Traditional high pressure sodium lamps are best used for flowering and fruit production. Unlike traditional HPS lamps, HORTILUX HPS lamps are designed with enough violet, blue, and green spectrum to be used as a standalone light source throughout all phases of plant production making them a true multitasker for your HPS system.

BENEFITS
  • Produces noticeably bigger, fuller flowers and overall heavier yields
  • Maintains results after multiple growth cycles, saving you money
  • Provides 25% more light energy than competitive brands in Violet, Blue and Green
  • Provides 17% more total spectral energy than the competition
  • Produces more spectral balance for increased plant response and accelerated growth
FEATURES
  • Available wattages: 250w, 400w, 430w, 600w, 1000w
  • Exclusive EYE HORTILUX Spectrum promotes bigger, fuller flower growth
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I also use the Arcadia Desert Reptile T5 UVA/UVB Bulbs to add this spectrum, but is very dangerous, and Will blind you. I use it at 108w per every 4 x 4 at a height of 18 inches. In flowering I use them 2 hours After Lights On, and then turn them Off 2 hours before Lights Out.

On an 18 hour veg cycle they get 12 hours worth. 3 Hours after lights come on, and 3 hours before they go off. Basically 2/3s of the time UVA/UVB will be On. 1/3 Off.
Arcadia 54w Dragon Lamp

I also use Their Fixtures.

 
Last edited:

welight

Well-Known Member
Cob is the better choice, but I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest 3000-4000K 70-80CRI. There is a reason for this. Anything beyond 4000K has a really low red/orange photon count. Orange and red is where the high photosynthetic efficiency is. Therefore anything above 4000K probably isn't going to produce the fastest growth.

People used MH over HPS to avoid a lot of stretch during veg. If you're looking to avoid stretch you want a low CRI as it's been shown that 90 CRI samples (being heavier in far red) produce more stretch than 70 or 80 CRI. So 4000K 70 or 80 CRI will provide the most blue light and almost no far red without cutting out the high orange/red levels.
we hanging out on the same branch here, testing on our Sol-Skin boards using 3000-4000k mix has a really nice proportion of amber and green, we spike on red because the red 660 channel is fully cranked, not totally Mcree mimicked but close

Cheers
Mark
 
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