Xotic Seeds

There are several types of lights used to grow cannabis, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common types are:

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lights:

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lights work by passing an electrical current through a gas-filled arc tube, which causes the gas to become excited and produce light. The two most common types of HID lights used for cannabis cultivation are metal halide (MH) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights.

MH lights produce a cooler, white light that is ideal for vegetative growth, while HPS lights produce a warmer, orange light that is ideal for the flowering stage.

When the electrical current is passed through the arc tube, it excites the gas and produces light. The light is then directed onto the plants by a reflector. HID lights also produce a significant amount of heat, so proper ventilation and cooling are required to dissipate the heat.

HID lights can produce a lot of light, with a range of 50,000-150,000 lumens. However, they are relatively expensive to operate and have a shorter lifespan than other types of lights.

When setting up HID lights, it’s important to ensure that the lights are at the appropriate distance above the plants and that you have proper ventilation and cooling in place to dissipate any heat that is produced.

Fluorescent lights:

Fluorescent lights work by passing an electrical current through a tube that is filled with a gas and a small amount of mercury vapor. When the current flows through the gas, it excites the electrons in the mercury vapor, causing them to emit ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV light then strikes a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube, which converts it into visible light.

Fluorescent lights produce less light than HID lights, but they are more energy-efficient and produce less heat. They are often used for seedlings, and young cannabis plants, and for supplementing light in a larger grow operation. The amount of light produced by fluorescent lights can vary depending on the size and type of bulb, but generally, a 4-foot T5 fluorescent bulb produces around 2,500-4,000 lumens. This is less than the light produced by HID lights, which can produce around 50,000-150,000 lumens.

It is important to note that fluorescent lights have a limited lifespan and need to be replaced more often than HID or LED lights. Additionally, Fluorescent lights are not as effective as HID and LED lights in the flowering stage as they do not have a high enough light output.

LED lights:

LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights work by passing an electrical current through a semiconductor material, which causes the electrons to move and release energy in the form of light. The color of the light is determined by the type of semiconductor material used, and the intensity of the light is determined by the amount of current that is passed through the semiconductor.

LED lights are highly energy-efficient, producing less heat than HID and fluorescent lights. They also have a longer lifespan than other types of lights, with some LED lights lasting for up to 50,000 hours. They are also versatile in terms of their spectrum range and can be customized to suit different stages of growth.

The amount of light produced by LED lights can vary depending on the type of LED and the size of the light. However, in general, a standard LED grow light can produce around 50,000-150,000 lumens, which is similar to HID lights. It’s important to note that the amount of light produced by a LED light is not the only metric to consider when choosing a light, other important factors include the spectrum of light, the power consumption, and the cost.

When setting up LED lights, it’s important to ensure that the lights are at the appropriate distance above the plants and that you have proper ventilation and cooling in place to dissipate any heat that is produced. Additionally, it’s best to consult with a professional or a trusted source before purchasing LED lights, as there are different needs for different stages of growth, and some strains may have different light requirements than others.

Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lights:

Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lights work in a similar way to traditional HID lights but use a different type of ceramic arc tube. Instead of using a quartz arc tube, a ceramic arc tube is used, which allows for a higher color rendering index (CRI) and a more balanced spectrum of light.

When the electrical current is passed through the ceramic arc tube, it excites the metal halide and produces light. The ceramic material used in the arc tube also helps to dissipate heat more efficiently than traditional HID lights.

CMH lights produce a similar amount of light as traditional HID lights, with a range of 50,000-150,000 lumens. They are also highly energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan than traditional HID lights.

CMH lights are known for their balanced spectrum of light that closely mimics natural sunlight, which makes them ideal for the flowering stage of cannabis growth.

When setting up CMH lights, it’s important to ensure that the lights are at the appropriate distance above the plants and that you have proper ventilation and cooling in place to dissipate any heat that is produced. Additionally, it’s best to consult with a professional or a trusted source before purchasing CMH lights, as there are different needs for different stages of growth, and some strains may have different light requirements than others.

Which type of light is Best

In terms of which is best, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and the stage of growth of your plants. LED lights may be the best option for energy efficiency and low heat output, but HID lights are often used for their high light output and affordability. CMH lights are the best option for those looking for a spectrum closer to natural sunlight.

To set up lights, you will need to purchase a reflector, a ballast, and a bulb. The reflector is used to direct the light onto the plants, the ballast is used to control the power going to the bulb, and the bulb is the actual light source. Once you have all the necessary components, you can hang the reflector and light above your plants, plug the ballast into an electrical outlet, and screw the bulb into the reflector. Make sure that your lights are at the appropriate height above the plants and that you have proper ventilation and cooling in place.

It is always best to consult with a professional or a trusted source before purchasing your lights, as there are different needs for different stages of growth, and some strains may have different light requirements than others.