So whats the difference between HPS and CFL??

[GrowThatGoodShit]

Say you've got 3 lights, ones a 250w hps, the other two are both 250w CFLS. Lumen output on both the lights are the same, (roughly 30,000) And both are going to cost roughly the same (excluding elec bill and ventilation). So what would make me go for the HPS?? What difference will ther be if the lumen output is the same?? It seems like its just going to be more hassle and more expensive to run...

 

[timeismoney1]

Cfls come in different color temps. Where hps are a soft white temp

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

Dude, a 400w hps bulb is what you want if you got the setup and ventilation. Hands down.

CFL would work for a ghetto setup or a personal grow with limited space.

No I can only do a 250. My landlord pays the elec bill so it cant be to obvious (£10 extra a month should be all good though)

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

Cfls come in different color temps. Where hps are a soft white temp

What difference would that make to the grow though??

 

[OhGr]

HPS Has a higher light penetration.

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

HPS Has a higher light penetration.

Do you know the science behind that?

 

[timeismoney1]

Because there HID lighting.

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

Because there HID lighting.

Thats not really an answer to why its better though is it lol..

Why would a 250w HID give better output than 2 250w Cfls if the lumens are identical?

 

[pinxpointxpupil]

dude use HPS they are way better. Look at any commercial grow or even any good grow, HPS is always used for flowering...

I don't know the science or any equations about a High Pressure Sodium bulb but I DO know for a fact that with CFLs you have to keep them like 2 inches away lol, maybe not with that 250W but HPS can be put much further away from your plants meaning it can cover a better area....

And the color temp has A LOT to do with your grow dude...2700k is typically good for flowering where as something like 6000k that is more close to daylight and better for veg cycle...

 

[timeismoney1]

So goodthatgrowshit answer me this

If i place a cfl and a hps both 250w a foot away your trying to argue that the cfl will penatrate just as well as a hps! Hell no. Hps have a better lumen ration per square inch

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

So goodthatgrowshit answer me this

If i place a cfl and a hps both 250w a foot away your trying to argue that the cfl will penatrate just as well as a hps! Hell no. Hps have a better lumen ration per square inch

No you'de obviously place the CFLs closer, it wouldnt matter though because they have less heat output

 

[bobbyhopefeild]

VEG WITH CFLS!!! flower with hps , the light from a hps is denser

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

Im not trying to start an argument here, Im just interested to know exactly why a hps is more effective than a CFL

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

Does anyone have the science to prove that a HPS has better light penetration?? Please post if you have..

 

[greasemonkeymann]

light has a better penetration rate when emitted from a single source as opposed to a tube.
also the lumen degradation rate increases much more dramatically when the plants are further away from the source of light with cfls.
cfls are good for vege and i prefer a 3/2 ratio of wattage with a hps/MH so for example i use a 600w hps in conjunction with a 400 w MH.
As you said you want to use 250 watts,the quality and weight of smoke that you'll get will disappoint you for the time invested, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
I suggest making a very reflective box or small area completely painted white, and ventilate well so you can have the lights close.
But seriously think long and hard on the 400w HPS, it'll be much more worth your time and the price per month between the cfls and hps wouldn't be that dramatic under a 12/12 timeline.
with ballast and fan roughly 6 KWH per day, maybe 20-30 bucks extra a month.
you can compensate buy replacing ALL your incandescent bulbs with cfls and lower fridge temp...
you can do it...

 

[greasemonkeymann]

Does anyone have the science to prove that a HPS has better light penetration?? Please post if you have..

look at the lumen rate when the plant is further, also if you've ever seen a HID up close compared to CFLs the HIDs blow them away

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

VEG WITH CFLS!!! flower with hps , the light from a hps is denser

Thats what Im thinking but I need to know that It's going to make a real difference to the end product first. (Im either spending 100s on a decent HPS setup, or £50-60 on an extra CFL reflector and bulb)

 

[timeismoney1]

Dont fix what aint broken. Buy hps and you want regret once you see your dense buds

 

[Steph187]

look at the lumen rate when the plant is further, also if you've ever seen a HID up close compared to CFLs the HIDs blow them away

Thats irrelevant because the hps cant be put close...

 

[GrowThatGoodShit]

light has a better penetration rate when emitted from a single source as opposed to a tube.
also the lumen degradation rate increases much more dramatically when the plants are further away from the source of light with cfls.
cfls are good for vege and i prefer a 3/2 ratio of wattage with a hps/MH so for example i use a 600w hps in conjunction with a 400 w MH.
As you said you want to use 250 watts,the quality and weight of smoke that you'll get will disappoint you for the time invested, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
I suggest making a very reflective box or small area completely painted white, and ventilate well so you can have the lights close.
But seriously think long and hard on the 400w HPS, it'll be much more worth your time and the price per month between the cfls and hps wouldn't be that dramatic under a 12/12 timeline.
with ballast and fan roughly 6 KWH per day, maybe 20-30 bucks extra a month.
you can compensate buy replacing ALL your incandescent bulbs with cfls and lower fridge temp...
you can do it...

No, like I said a 400w isnt an option, the bill over a two month period would come to over £30 and my landlord would be able to notice it on the elec bill. The only two options I've got is 2 250w CFLs or 1 250w HPS. I can invest in a HPS but I just need to know for sure first that its definatley going to be worth the effort. And like I said the distance between the light and the plant isnt an issue because you can place a CFL almost as close as you want.