MH all the way

bravedave

Well-Known Member
Last grow, same strains, similar conditions I tried HPS for the first time instead of going MH all the way like I did my first 2 grows and at around day 50 I switched back to the MH because of weak trichome development in comparison to the first 2. Went back to straight MH for grow 4. Day 35...
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Looks like my HPS may always just serve as a spare tire.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
If you like what metal halide does for your girls, I'd suggest you look into Philips 860W CDM lamps. They run vertical only on magnetic ballast only, but they're more efficient and last much longer than MH. Color Rendering Index of 92 means they produce all but natural daylight. It's not fatiguing at all to work under.

Think of them as the big, cheap brother of the 315W LEC fixtures you can get from hydro stores now.

I feel exactly the same as you do about HPS; it's a great streetlight but it's pretty disappointing for growing plants.
 

bravedave

Well-Known Member
I see what you're trying to do, that shit ain't even kinda new, that's that shit I've been on.
I don't have any idea what you are trying to say. Push 1 for english. If you are stating that using MH all the way is not an original idea then the answer is "No shit!?! But that is not the point here. The point is that many (most?) prescribe using HPS for flower and while HPS may produce a larger yield, MH produces a better quality one in my limited experience. At least with my strains the difference in trichome development is obvious and indisputable.
 
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Bear420

Well-Known Member
IMHO. If you think MH is better in a flower room than HPS. I have tried both and HPS Blows the MH Away, I had 2 600 mh and they worked but the bud was not nearly as big and potent as the HPS dd, I have tried everything over the past 20 years, CFLs, 1000s watt HPS, LEDs. and IMO the 600 watt hps work the best, I would like to say that I have used both in my bud room a few times MH and HPS and the buds were harder more dense but the potency just seemed to drop a bit, the last few weeks under the HPS tell the story. Good Luck and this is just My Opinion. :) Got Milk :peace: :joint: good luck this is all in ( MOO) My Own Opinion
 

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bravedave

Well-Known Member
IMHO. If you think MH is better in a flower room than HPS. I have tried both and HPS Blows the MH Away, I had 2 600 mh and they worked but the bud was not nearly as big and potent as the HPS dd, I have tried everything over the past 20 years, CFLs, 1000s watt HPS, LEDs. and IMO the 600 watt hps work the best, I would like to say that I have used both in my bud room a few times MH and HPS and the buds were harder more dense but the potency just seemed to drop a bit, the last few weeks under the HPS tell the story. Good Luck and this is just My Opinion. :) Got Milk :peace: :joint: good luck this is all in ( MOO) My Own Opinion
I respect that. However, I already acknowledged the fact that quantity is won by HPS. (I am still in the new grower mode of bettering quantity every grow and my HPS grow was no exception while the current MH grow looks to be beating it...just not all or only a light thing). The science is with HPS there. I believe the science is with MH when it comes to quality. HPS does not emit the UV that MH does. I have witnessed a large difference in trichome development. I will heed your thought concerning the last couple weeks though, as my HPS grow was so trichome lacking that I gave the last 25 of 75 flower days back to my MH.

Edit: ...and although I had decent frost by the end...I have about the same frost now at day 39.
 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
Certainly does. UVA, UVB, and even UVC. In non-growing/reptile lighting applications, I understand the bulbs filter out much of it.

ernest t.: did you post what type/wattage MH you are using?

my 600W horti is due for a bulb change and i've been looking at solis-tek/sunpulse MH's in either 3k or 4k for flowering. i know @ttystikk 860cdm is 4k (correct sir?) . i'm leaning more towards the 4K as a whiter light but they recommend the 3K for flowering.

any thoughts??
 

bravedave

Well-Known Member
...which means that unless you shatter the outer glazing of the lamp, you won't get any.

I'm all in on the 860W CDM. I'm very happy with both frost and yield performance.
I think it means that if you utilize a "non" growing specific MH, "you won't get" much.

I also hear a lot of positive things also about those 860s. I was going to augment my MH with t5 UVBs this grow but now it looks like next.
 

bravedave

Well-Known Member
ernest t.: did you post what type/wattage MH you are using?

my 600W horti is due for a bulb change and i've been looking at solis-tek/sunpulse MH's in either 3k or 4k for flowering. i know @ttystikk 860cdm is 4k (correct sir?) . i'm leaning more towards the 4K as a whiter light but they recommend the 3K for flowering.

any thoughts??
I have a 600W and it was purchased over a year ago and I do not remember the brand ... But it was midrange in the price arena and grow specific. I will try to pull the invoice.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
ernest t.: did you post what type/wattage MH you are using?

my 600W horti is due for a bulb change and i've been looking at solis-tek/sunpulse MH's in either 3k or 4k for flowering. i know @ttystikk 860cdm is 4k (correct sir?) . i'm leaning more towards the 4K as a whiter light but they recommend the 3K for flowering.

any thoughts??
All I can tell you is that everyone who has tried the results of my CDM flowering runs has thoroughly enjoyed the appearance, aroma, flavor and effectiveness of the medicine. I've been replacing HPS lamps with them so my friends and patients are well aware of what that was like- and the verdict is unanimous.

Yes, 4000 Kelvin temperature, 92 CRI- and yes I do think a high Color Rendering Index makes a difference; after all, plants have been evolving to live under natural sunlight for about a billion years now. There may be a better spectrum for plant growth out there but until we can replicate such a theoretical concept accurately, I'm comfortable sticking with mimicking sunlight.
 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
All I can tell you is that everyone who has tried the results of my CDM flowering runs has thoroughly enjoyed the appearance, aroma, flavor and effectiveness of the medicine. I've been replacing HPS lamps with them so my friends and patients are well aware of what that was like- and the verdict is unanimous.

Yes, 4000 Kelvin temperature, 92 CRI- and yes I do think a high Color Rendering Index makes a difference; after all, plants have been evolving to live under natural sunlight for about a billion years now. There may be a better spectrum for plant growth out there but until we can replicate such a theoretical concept accurately, I'm comfortable sticking with mimicking sunlight.
i had a 400 w CMH a few years ago. philips retro white hps. had great results but the 400 was too small for my room. too bad they don't make those bulbs anymore. they went to the 315 LEc instead. same deal though, needed a magnetic ballast to run it.
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
I think it means that if you utilize a "non" growing specific MH, "you won't get" much.

I also hear a lot of positive things also about those 860s. I was going to augment my MH with t5 UVBs this grow but now it looks like next.
I think UVB supplementation is a fascinating idea, please let us know how it works out, no matter what you pair it with!
 

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
i had a 400 w CMH a few years ago. philips retro white hps. had great results but the 400 was too small for my room. too bad they don't make those bulbs anymore. they went to the 315 LEc instead. same deal though, needed a magnetic ballast to run it.
The 315W LEC/CMH is a great lamp with an even better ballast, which is why it's more expensive than 860W CDM. You do get what you pay for, the small one produces a lot more output per watt than the big one. Lasts even longer, too.
 
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