Have two plants about to start flowering. Have been using a SunMaster 600 watt MH Conversion bulb for the Vegetative period, and the thing has been awesome. I also have a standard 600 watt HPS bulb that I was planning on using for flowering, but the MH conversion bulb has been doing so well that I'm wondering should I continue using it for the flowering stage? The conversion bulb is a SunMaster and cost like $110, whereas the HPS is just a cheap-o from HID Hut. Of course conversion bulb says that it's full spectrum and is great for flowering as well, but everything I've read says the HPS is best for flowering. I realize I lose some watts with the conversion bulb, but I only have 2 plants and have a relatively small space. In other words I don't think I need the full 600 watts from the HPS. Please let me know what the effects of using a high quality MH conversion bulb vs. the standard HPS bulb for flowering would be. This is my first grow so want to be sure I'm doing what's easiest and best for the overall grow. I guess if I had to choose I would prefer bigger buds over tighter nugs, but looking for some advice here. Thanks.
Full Spectrum MH vs. Standard HPS
- Thread starter skillz75
- Start date
Blow4Life
Well-Known Member
Whats up skillz! I use strictly hps for my flowering but thats not to say its the best way to grow. Forget watts. You should be focusing on lumens per watt. If the conversion bulb has plenty of red light and the lumens are high enough then you can't help but benefit from the extra colors in the spectrum. The goal is to give the plant 10,000 lumens. Remember the initial output of lumens will deminish significantly the farther the plants are from the light. Hope I didn't loose you but this stuff is important. Hope I helped!
I'd switch then if it's quantity over quality. You'd extend the years of service of the more expensive conversion bulb by not using it for flowering.
Personally I'd veg with a straight 6500 K MH, keep it going for flowering too and add a smaller HPS when flowering for the red light to encourage more flowering.
Many feel because the MH produces UV light too it produces more potent weed.
bobbyboy34
Well-Known Member
or you can by one of those bulbs that have both metal halide and hps in it, i don'tk now how well they work and how long they last, but its an option
They're really expensive. I can get used equipment dirt cheap here.( $50 for a complete 1000 watt HPS system)
thephantompain1990
Well-Known Member
care to send one my way?