damon bradshaw
Active Member
would my plants grow better if i added 1- 175watt Mh to each of my 1000 watt HPS lights for more of a lighting spectrum?
mixing HPS and MH
- Thread starter damon bradshaw
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Brick Top
New Member
I won’t say that 175-watts of MH added to your 1000-watt HPS lights will make much difference but in general the answer would be yes, a mix of MH and HPS is good. That is why the dual arc MH-HPS bulbs with twin filaments that put off both MH and HPS were made.
　
If I were you I would just purchase dual arc bulbs for your 1000-watt lights and not bother to add 175-watt MH’s.
　
If I were you I would just purchase dual arc bulbs for your 1000-watt lights and not bother to add 175-watt MH’s.
damon bradshaw
Active Member
I cant afford the dual arc,i already have the HPS.Would a 400 watt MH between the two 1000 watters be better?
The "exact ratio" that constitutes the best mixed spectrum light has yet to be widely agreed upon! But even your 400 watts of MH between two 1,000 watters of HPS is still only about 20% MH overall.
Many of the "Single Combination" supporters (people that favor using the same light source for vegging and flowering) favor a "dual spectrum that is closer to being balanced. For example, 50% MH to 50% HPS - or - 40% MH to 60% HPS. Keep in mind that either of these two ratios can be had by combining MH and HPS units of various wattages - or by using dedicated "Dual Spectrum" bulbs.
The other "common" approach is the "1/3 - 2/3 Ratio" (my personnal favorite!). This method requires changing the "Spectrum Ratio" at flowering time. For example, veg with MH @ about twice the wattage, and, HPS @ about half the wattage (2 MH units and 1 HPS unit, of the same wattage).
Then, when it's time to flower, you switch to 2 HPS units and 1 MH unit, of the same wattage. This way you keep the ratio about the same, 1/3 - 2/3, but you change the spectrum. At this point the extra HPS also adds a little "bonus" for the flowering process!
Many of the "Single Combination" supporters (people that favor using the same light source for vegging and flowering) favor a "dual spectrum that is closer to being balanced. For example, 50% MH to 50% HPS - or - 40% MH to 60% HPS. Keep in mind that either of these two ratios can be had by combining MH and HPS units of various wattages - or by using dedicated "Dual Spectrum" bulbs.
The other "common" approach is the "1/3 - 2/3 Ratio" (my personnal favorite!). This method requires changing the "Spectrum Ratio" at flowering time. For example, veg with MH @ about twice the wattage, and, HPS @ about half the wattage (2 MH units and 1 HPS unit, of the same wattage).
Then, when it's time to flower, you switch to 2 HPS units and 1 MH unit, of the same wattage. This way you keep the ratio about the same, 1/3 - 2/3, but you change the spectrum. At this point the extra HPS also adds a little "bonus" for the flowering process!
damon bradshaw
Active Member
So it sounds like maybe i should put 2 MH in the mix and up the spectrum to 40%.Hopefully this isnt overkill.I plan on growing 12 per light in 5gal pots.So 24 total plants.