Envirolights better then HPS/MH? You decide!, Read this!

[mist420]

Envirolights Vs. HPS/MH

Intro: First there was the light bulb. Then came the fluorescent.
First growers used Fluorescent bulbs to grow as light bulbs were not strong enough. They were replaced by mutated light bulbs called Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium.

Now, I submit, we have reach that time when the pendulum must continue it’s flow and swing back in favor of the fluorescent.

That’s evolution.

I am taking the "Pro" Envirolight position on this since even though I am a newbie I am one of the few to know anything about these new lights on this board, prolly cause I just got one 2 weeks ago and have lost my mind looking for info on these new lights. I am hoping some Vet of this board (maybe a few) will take up the HPS/MH point of view/gauntlet.

Ok, let start off with some info. Please refer to the photo of all the graphs below. Also, just for a quick reference, here is a break down of Kelvin numbers from a Color Rendering Index I got off overgrow.com:

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Color Rendering Index(CRI)

The CRI is an indication of a lamps ability to show individual colors relative to a standard. This value is determined from a comparison of the lamp's spectral distribution compared to a black body at the same color temperature. Light sources, such as metal halide lamps, are rated with a CCT; however, CCT does not provide any information on the quality of the color. For this, a CRI is also necessary. In general, the higher the CRI rating of a lamp, the better the different colors will show.


5K - 7K Kelvin: Strong Blue Light
Promotes bushy growth. Ideal for rapid growth phase of plants.
Greatly enhances all-around plant growth when used with super
high output, high pressure sodium or 3K warm metal halide lamps.

4.2K - 4200 Kelvin: Cool white Flourescents
Can be used as supplimental blue lighting when used with a 3K
source.

4K - 4000 Kelvin: Neutral Metal Halide
Best single source for plant growth, producing shorter, bushier
growth than 3700 Kelvin and color rendition. Used in general
plant lighting.

3.7K - 3700 Kelvin: Softer Metal Halide(coated)
This coated lamp is used in general plant lighting and for more
rapid growth than 4000 Kelvin produces.

3K - 3200 Kelvin: Warm Metal Halide
Highest photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) value of all HID
lighting for all phases of plant growth. PAR watts account for the
nutritional value of light and are a direct measure of the light
energy available for photosythesis.

2.7K - 2700 Kelvin: High Pressure Sodium Lamps
Redder color mix, used for propagation, blooming, supplemental
greenhouse lighting.

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Back to the lights. The full spectrum version is rated at 6700 Kelvin. A grower friend of mine that has an HPS/MH system told me that he can walk into is grow room anytime with no problems seeing. I asked him to compare the Envirolight and took it out of my grow box and said “ready?” he goes “yea” so I hit the switch. After being half blind for a few minutes, he remarked that there was no way he could walk into his grow room without sunglasses if he had these. (side note: he just ordered 3)

Ok, now lets look at the colors for the MH in the below graph and also for the Envirolight.

A much smother spectrum, and lots more color is provided. Is this an advantage? I don’t know I am not a scientist, I’m a pot head. But, I can tell you this: After putting my babies under the new light the day I got it, I swear they took off. And they are looking better and better every day. It’s looking as though I am gonna be able to flower them at 4-5 weeks old.

Anywho, if you compare the above charts to the ones of normal daylight and a regular fluorescent, I think you will impressed.


Now, moving onto the “Red Spectrum” Envirolight which is rated at 2700 Kelvin. Lets compare it’s chart to the ones below as well.

And let’s see what a HPS can do....

Again, a much smoother spectrum and, well, look at the red, it’s damn near off the chart.

Ok, let the debates begin!

A couple of other things to point out:
Cailmed 77% energy savings. Well I can accept that w/o proof. We’re talking 95 watts Vs. 1000 watts here folks.

Built in "instant on" ballest. And believe me, when they say instant on they mean it. You can flash these babies on an off with a switch for that strobe light effect.

10,000 hours lifespan. Umm, I will have to let ya know on this one as I only had mine a short time, lol.

Safe, can be touched while lit. I can verify this one. You actually can touch it, I wouldn’t hold it for a long time, but you can handle it even after it has been on for hours. Hey, cool lights mean cool plants!

This bulb is not only recommended for hydroponics, but also for the treatment of S.A.D., P.M.S., as well as common and winter depression (cabin fever) because it so closely resembles natural sun light.

Credits are due to Stoney for the HPS/MH charts I pilfered from him. Ty Stoney!

[IonAccel]

...but subcribing!

There have been many intense light debates in past threads. Hopefully this post will thrive.

I guess I would believe it when the commercial growers of hydro tomatoes, cukes, and pretty flowers switch over to those new lights.

I see those stickers in my stores produce section..."British Columbia Hydro Grown"

What kinda lights do they use?

[Bluestar]

I too am intersted in this topic. I may have to look into it a bit more. If what you are saying is true, we may have a new innovation that would be a hell of a lot harder to tracem because of it's lack of energy consumption as well as heat.
Although it seems cool, I doubt 95 watts can overpower 1000 watts, but we will see...

[Bluestar]

By the way, where did you find this Envirolight?

[mist420]

How I found it I dont know. Endless hours serfing for lights and such eventually brought me to the where, fearlessgardenerdotcom and I got it for $89 bucks from bghydrodotcom.

Dont let the picks fool ya, its about 15 inches long and as thick as your forearm. the fearless site also has some custom hoods for it.

Check the pics for the Fearless Garden, it is set up with 2 full spec's and a red spec.

mist420

[mist420]

Although it seems cool, I doubt 95 watts can overpower 1000 watts, but we will see...

Today, at any store, you can purchase those twistie floro's that provide light equal to say a 100 watt regular light bulb for only 40 watts worth of power.

I say Envirolights are the next step in that evolution.

"Specially formulated phosphor that emits light closest to natural sunlight covering the full spectrum range for any application where true color rendering is important" -Envirolite

mist420

[Xzoomd]

I have been watching the Enviro...

There are at least two members using them. A search should pop up their threads..

zoomy

[Bluestar]

On the fearless gardener site it said it produced 8,900 lumens. That is about 1/10th of the amount of lumens produced by an 800watt HPS/MH. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the more lumens, the better.
So multiply 95 by 10 and you have 950 watts=800 watt HPS. I think I see a problem there...

[mist420]

On the fearless gardener site it said it produced 8,900 lumens. That is about 1/10th of the amount of lumens produced by an 800watt HPS/MH.

Blue, ya saying a HPS/MH shoots out 89 thousand lumens??

Really?


mist420

this here 1000W hps kicks out 140,000 initial lumens, and 123,000 average lumens.