Posts Tagged ‘Hydroponics’
Hydroponics Grow Bulbs, HID Lamps and T5
Lighting systems for growing indoors and hydroponics have grown intensively more in tune with the needs of hydroponic growers and gone are the days of lighting your garden with standard bulbs.
Available now are a range of bulbs to use depending on your needs for intensity of output and spectrum of light. Light intensity is measured in lumens — 1 lumen = 1 candlefoot of light (amount of light on one candle at one foot distance). Estimates show that the average amount of lumens per square foot should be within the 2000 range. Spectrum is the range of colors that the light produces. Plants need a variety of spectrum depending, from red/orange to blue/green — red for budding and blue for vegetative growth.
Right now on the market there are HID and Florescent bulbs to choose from. Florescent will get the job done, but the intensity of the light is lacking and the light would have to remain a few inches away from the plant to get the best results. Florescent bulbs are great for the home hydroponic garden as they are cheaper or the person new to hydroponics. HID (High Intensity Discharge) bulbs are more expensive, both to purchase and to run, but the results are worth the cost for the serious grower. HID works by shooting a current into the bulb and when a certain voltage is hit, gas sparks creating arc light. HID gives off a mixed spectrum of light making them a great choice for hydroponics and indoor gardening.
There are also new developments using LED lights that Nasa has been experimenting with. This could one of the best things to hit the hydroponics lighting market and could push both florescent and HID to the brink of extinction — but only time will tell.
A little more on bulbs…
You can put any bulb in any hood, but you need to make sure that your ballast wattage matches your bulb wattage. Depending on the wattage of your bulb, you want to make sure that the plant is positioned at the right distance from the bulb (1000 watt=2 feet, 600 watt=18 inches, 400 watt=12 inches, 250 watt=12 inches). You want to have at least 100 watts per plant. Grow bulbs last an average of 1 to 1.5 years. Grow bulbs are specifically engineered for growing and are tuned to the color spectrum for plants to grow.
The best bulb for white ballasts is Hortilux, while for digital ballasts the best bulb is Ushio. T5 modern fluorescents with smaller tubing come in cool white and warm white. Cool white is best for vegetation and the warm white is best for flowering. You can also mix cool/warm/cool/warm/cool/warm within your hood for full spectrum light. These bulbs are only sold at grow stores. Metal Halide bulbs are for vegetation growth and has a blue spectrum. HPS (High Pressure Sodium) bulbs provide for more flower production with its red spectrum making flowers grow faster. If you have any questions or are unsure of the right bulb for your growing purposes, contact us.
Check out our Artificial Lighting Guide for more information…
Hydroponics Lighting Glossary of Terms
We can all use a reference guide and so here for your pleasure is a glossary of hydroponics lighting terms. Print it out, bookmark it, write em down — this should cover any terms you stumble across while walking down the path to growing godliness. If you ever have any questions on anything hydroponics, shoot us an email to info[at]hydroponicsunlimited.com.
AGROSUN
A metal halide bulb manufactured exclusively for Hydrofarm which puts out 38% more light in the red portion of the spectrum than regular metal halide lamps.
AMPERE (AMP)
The unit used to measure the strength of an electric current.
ARC
The luminous discharge of electricity between two electrodes in HID lighting.
ARC DISCHARGE
A transfer of electricity across two electrodes (anode and cathode), characterized by high electrode current densities and a low voltage drop at the electrode.
ARC TUBE
The enclosure which contains the luminous gases and also houses the arc.
BALLAST
An auxiliary piece of equipment designed to start and to properly control the flow of power to gas discharge light sources such as fluorescent and high intensity discharge lamps. In metal halide systems, it is composed of the transformer, capacitor and connecting wiring; sodium systems require an ignitor in addition to the transformer and capacitor.
BU
An industry code indicating that the bulb is to be operated only in a base up position.
BULB
The glass outer envelope component of an HID lamp which protects the arc tube.
BULB WALL TEMPERATURE
The temperature at the bulb wall of a lamp, which effects lumen output and input wattage and which is important in lighting calculations.
CANDELA (CD)
A unit of luminous intensity in a given direction, equal to one lumen per steradian.
CANDLEPOWER (CP)
The luminous intensity of a light source, as expressed in candelas.
CANDLEPOWER DISTRIBUTION CURVE
A curve that represents the varying distribution of luminous intensity of a lamp or luminaire.
CAPACITOR
An electronic device that can store electrical charge. The capacitor is one of the main components of an HID lighting ballast. Because they can store a very strong electrical charge, capacitors can be very dangerous to someone who is unaware of this fact and opens a ballast in order to examine or repair it. If one does not know how to safely discharge the stored electricity, one should allow a trained technician to do any ballast repairs.
COLD START TIME
The length of time required to bring an HID lamp to 90% light output from a cold condition.
COLOR TEMPERATURE or KELVIN TEMPERATURE
The unit of measurement to express the color (spectrum) of light emitted by a lamp; the absolute temperature of a blackbody radiator having a chromaticity equal to that of the light source (see correlated color temperature).
CONVERSION BULB
A bulb of a certain spectrum type (e.g. sodium) specially designed to operate while used in the fixture/ballast of a different type (e.g. metal halide). The most popular conversion bulbs by far are sodium conversion bulbs, which allow one to have the sodium spectrum while still using a metal halide system.
CORRELATED COLOR TEMPERATURE (CCT)
A specification of the color appearance of a light source, relating its color to that of a blackbody radiator, as measured in Kelvins (K). CCT is a general measure of a lamp’s “coolness” or “warmness.”
DOME
The portion of an HID outer bulb located opposite base (the neck and threads).
DOME SUPPORT
The spring-like brackets which mount the arc tube within the outer envelope (bulb).
DISCHARGE LAMP
A lamp that produces light by discharging an electric arc through a mixture of gases and gaseous metals.
ELECTRODES
Filaments located at either end of a discharge lamp that maintain an electrical arc between them. See arc discharge.
FIXTURE
The electrical fitting used to contain the electric components of a lighting system.
FLUORESCENT LAMP
A discharge lamp in which a phosphor coating transforms ultraviolet energy into visible light. Fluorescent lamps are good for starting seedlings and rooting cuttings, but do not have enough intensity to sustain aggressive growth in plants in the later stages of life, and are not efficient enough in their conversion of electrical power to lumens of light output.
FOOTCANDLE
A standard measurement of light intensity, representing the amount of illuminance on a surface one foot square on which there is a uniformly distributed flux of one lumen. More simply, one footcandle of illuminance is equal to the light emitted by one candle at a distance of one foot.
FREQUENCY
The number of waves or cycles of electromagnetic radiation per second, usually measured in Hertz (Hz).
HALOGEN LAMP
A short name for the tungsten-halogen lamp. Halogen lamps are high pressure incandescent lamps containing halogen gases such as iodine or bromine which allow the filaments to be operated at higher temperatures and higher efficacies. While excellent for home lighting and similar applications, halogen lamps are not effective or efficient as grow lights due to their limited spectrum and high operating temperatures.
HID
The popular acronym for High Intensity Discharge.
HIGH-INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) LAMP
A general term for mercury, metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps. HID lamps contain compact arc tubes which enclose various gases and metal salts operating at relatively high pressures and temperatures.
HIGH-PRESSURE SODIUM LAMP
High-pressure sodium lamps operate by igniting sodium, mercury and xenon gases within a sealed ceramic arc tube. Sodium lamps emit light energy in the yellow/red/orange regions of the spectrum; the red spectrum stimulates flowering and fruit production. Many indoor gardeners switch to sodium lamps when it is time to induce flowering or fruiting of their plants.
HOOD
The reflective cover used in conjunction with an HID lamp. The more reflectivity a hood can provide, the more effective it is.
HOR
An industry code indicating that the bulb is to be operated in a horizontal position.
HOT SPOT
The area immediately under an HID lamp where the light intensity is strongest. Hot spots cause uneven growth, but can be remedied by using light movers.
HOT START TIME
The length of time required to bring an HID lamp to 90% light output after a short power interruption.
IGNITOR
A component of the ballast necessary for the starting of the bulb in sodium systems.
ILLUMINANCE
The density of incident luminous flux on a surface; illuminance is the standard metric for lighting levels, and is measured in lux (lx) or footcandles (fc).
ILLUMINATION
The act of illuminating or state of being illuminated. This term is often used incorrectly in place of the term illuminance to denote the density of luminous flux on a surface.
INCANDESCENT LAMP
A light source which generates light utilizing a thin filament wire (usually of tungsten) heated to white heat by an electric current passing through it. Incandescent lamps are the most familiar type of light source, with countless application in homes, stores and other commercial settings. Light is produced by passing electric current through a thin wire filament, usually a tungsten. Incandescent lamps are totally ineffective as grow lights; they have very limited spectrum, are very inefficient in their conversion of electrical power to lumens of light output (lumen-to-watt ratio). They also put off far too much heat per watt to use in horticulture, even if the above-mentioned problems did not exist.
INTENSITY
A term referring to the magnitude of light energy per unit; light intensity diminishes evenly as you get further from the source.
KELVIN TEMPERATURE (K)
The unit of measurement to express the color (spectrum) of light emitted by a lamp; the absolute temperature of a blackbody radiator having a chromaticity equal to that of the light source (see correlated color temperature). A standard clear metal halide HID lamp has an average Kelvin temperature rating of 4,000K.
KILOWATT (kW)
A unit of electric power usage equal to 1,000 watts.
KILOWATT HOUR (kWh)
A measurement of electric energy. A kilowatt hour is equal to 1,000 watts of power used over a period of one hour.
LAMP
An electrically energized source of light, commonly called a bulb or tube.
LAMP LIFE
A measure of lamp performance, as measured in median hours of burning time under ANSI test conditions.
LAMP LUMEN DEPRECIATION (LLD)
The decrease over time of lamp lumen output, caused by bulb wall blackening, phosphor exhaustion, filament depreciation, and other factors.
LAMP STARTING
Generic term used to describe a discharge lamp’s starting characteristics in terms of time to come to full output, flicker, etc.
LIGHT
Radiant energy which can be sensed or seen by the human eye. The term generally applied to the visible energy from a source. Light is usually measured in lumens or candlepower. When light strikes a surface, it is either absorbed, reflected or transmitted. Visible light is measured in lumens.
LIGHT MOVER (e.g. Hydrofarm’s Light Track)
A motorized device which moves an HID lamp back and forth across the ceiling of a grow room to provide more even distribution of the light.
LUMEN
A measurement of light output; refers to the amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square foot of surface located at a distance of one foot from the candle.
LUMINAIRE
A complete lighting unit, consisting of a lamp or lamps together with the components required to distribute the light, position the lamps, and connect the lamps to a power supply. Often referred to as a “fixture.”
LUX
A standard unit of illuminance. One lux is equal to one lumen per square meter.
METAL HALIDE LAMP
A high-intensity-discharge lamp in which the light is produced by arcing electricity through a mixture of metal halides. The light produced by metal halide lamps is in the white-blue spectrum, which encourages vegetative growth and “bushiness” while discouraging upward growth. This is the bulb to use in the first, vegetative phase of plant growth.
MERCURY VAPOR LAMPS
The oldest member of the HID family, mercury vapor lamps work by arcing electricity through mercury vapor. While more efficient than incandescent, halogen and fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor lamps have the least efficient lumen-to-watt ratio of the entire HID family. This, combined with an improper color spectrum for horticultural applications, makes mercury vapor lamps a poor choice for a grow light.
NECK
The narrow, tubular end of the HID bulb, attached to the threads.
PARABOLIC REFLECTOR
A lighting distribution control device that is designed to redirect the light from an HID lamp in a specific direction. In most applications, the parabolic device directs light down and away from the direct glare zone.
PHOTOPERIOD
The relative periods of light and dark periods within a 24-period. Also referred to as daylength.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
The growth process by which plants build chemical compounds (carbohydrates) from light energy, water and CO2 (carbon dioxide).
PHOTOTROPISM
The gravitation of a plant part toward a light source.
REFLECTOR
The term sometimes used to refer to the reflective hood of an HID lamp.
REFLECTIVITY
The measure of the reflective quality of a surface; the relative ability of a given surface to reflect light away from it without absorbing, diffusing or otherwise compromising the light’s quality, intensity and spectrum.
SOCKET
The threaded, wired receptacle that an HID bulb screws into.
SODIUM LAMP (HIGH-PRESSURE SODIUM LAMP)
High-pressure sodium lamps operate by igniting sodium, mercury and xenon gases within a sealed ceramic arc tube. Sodium lamps emit light energy in the yellow/red/orange regions of the spectrum; the red spectrum stimulates flowering and fruit production. Many indoor gardeners switch to sodium lamps when it is time to induce flowering or fruiting of their plants.
SON-AGRO
A sodium bulb which, according to the manufacturer, produces 30% more blue light than standard sodium bulbs. The 430-watt SON AGRO also emits 6% more light than the standard 400-watt sodium lamp.
SPECULAR REFLECTION
The redirection of incident light without diffusion at an angle that is equal to and in the same plane as the angle of incidence. The specular inserts included in Hydrofarm’s HID lighting systems work on this principle.
STERADIAN
A unit solid angle on the surface of a sphere equal to the square of the sphere’s radius.
TRANSFORMER
The component in the ballast that transforms electric current from one voltage to another.
U (for UNIVERSAL)
An industry code indicating that the bulb can be operated in any position: horizontal, vertical (base up) or any other.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) LIGHT
Light with very short wavelengths, out of the visible spectrum.
UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES (UL)
A private organization which tests and lists electrical (and other) equipment for electrical and fire safety according to recognized UL and other standards. A UL listing is not an indication of overall performance. Hydrofarm offers the only complete line of growlight systems that is UL-listed.
WATT (W)
A unit used to measure electric power. One watt equals one joule/second.
Bigger Buds are Nice… Advanced Nutrient’s Bud Candy
Who doesn’t want bigger buds and better yields? Bud Candy is a great product and awesome solution. Advanced Nutrients Bud Candy (0-0-1) is a 100% organic flower booster that provides powerful plant energy when it’s needed most. Whether your plants are in bloom phase right now, or you’re preparing for bloom phase, this is the time to procure this product and look forward to better flavors, higher yields and stronger plants. Check out more at http://www.hydroponicsunlimited.com/product/ADVANCEDNUTRIENTS/ADVBUDCANDY.html.
The Green Pad CO2 Generator
We just added to our inventory the Green Pad CO2 Generator. This is an awesome product for so many reasons, but the greatest benefit we have experienced is giving our customers the ability to try and test CO2 without the costs — and best of all see the amazing benefits CO2 has to offer their plants.
What we posted on The Green Pad site:
We are from Palmdale Hydroponics and we have been selling the pads now for about 6 months now and according to our customers they see tremendous differences in growth when adding the Green Pad to their grow area.
They have told us that their plants look healthier and are larger than ever.
We always say that CO2 is a must have, but it is a big expense and sometimes it is nice to try it out first. Before the Green Pad we could only sell CO2 tanks or even seltzer water as the alternative. Now, with the Green Pad we can have customers trial CO2 with small plants so they can see the difference before taking a big step with a CO2 tank. We have customers who have trialed with the Green Pad and now have upgraded to the tanks, but with out the Pad we do not know if they would have done it.
Check out more and give it a try at hydroponicsunlimited.com .
Proper Plant Conditions from Beginning to End
Some very useful information for all growers out there. We at Hydroponics Unlimited put this together to help you determine proper plant conditions from beginning to end.
Emerald Triangle’s Snow Storm Ultra — New Products Just Added!
We just added Emerald Triangle’s Snow Storm Ultra, check it out at http://www.hydroponicsunlimited.com/product/719942.html.
If you like Purple Maxx/Snow Storm, but color is not your primary goal, then Snow Storm Ultra is for you. We isolated the “snow storm” effect and optimized it for maximum results. Absolutely nothing else like it on the market. Does not contain carbohydrates or molasses. Three years of development went into this Humboldt County original. Best of all, this additive works with all your favorite nutrient lines. When used with Gravity, Snow Storm will take your plants beyond anything achievable with fertilizer alone.
We have it in 3 different sizes; 1 Qt – $28.50, 1 Gallon – $85.50, and 2.5 Gallon – $170.95
Organocide
We’ve just added Organocide to our site. A great product and definitely work a look. It comes in both a spray and a concentrate. See below…
Organocide Organic Insecticide – Concentrate 1 Quart
A nature-safe, organic spray oil effective on a wide variety of insects, mites, armored and soft scales and certain fungal diseases. It is insecticidal to the eggs, larvae, and nymphs of insects and adults of soft bodied insects. Controls a wide range of mite and insect pests, and certain fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, black spot on roses, helminthesporium and greasy spot on citrus. Use on vegetables, fruits, nuts, vine crops, herbs, ornamentals, greenhouse crops, landscape plants, bulbs, flowers and field crops. Active Ingredient: sesame oil 5.0% / Inert Ingredients: edible fish oil 92.0% and Lecithin 3.0%. Dilution Rate: Mix 2 oz. with 1 gallon of water. Exempt from EPA registration.
Happy New Year
A New Year is quickly upon us and another decade complete. Lots happened over the last year, and for that mater the last decade. It’s been coined the decade of the “bubble,” with booms and busts every few years. But most importantly it has become the decade of mainstream recognition and focus on the environment, energy efficiency and climate change. But what does this mean for hydroponics in the general sense. Hydroponics is one of the most efficient ways of growing and curbing the effects of climate change on farming and also reducing human’s foot print on the environment. I’m making a bold prediction here, but I look at hydroponics becoming the new age farming in the next decade and being adopted by major growers throughout the world. Hydroponics just makes sense in a world of ever growing populations and less room for growing. Hydroponics has brought growing up, instead of growing out to the forefront and allows for farmers to grow year round. Obviously there are more costs associated with hydroponics, but you also get a far superior product–more bang for your buck. It will take time as traditional farming has been ingrained in us for centuries, but as a necessity I believe that growing hydroponically will be the best solution to our current food epidemic. Enough said about predictions.
2010 should be a great year for all. We’ve learned a lot in the last decade and are now pulling out of what the media has coined “the greatest recession since the Great Depression.” I wish you and yours a successful 2010 and may each of you reach your goals and aspirations! Happy New Year!
Phresh Filters and Phresh Pre Filters
Phresh Filters and Phresh Pre Filters just added to Hydroponics Unlimited. All sizes, and as always discounted from the msrp price. Presh Filters are the best around and there are sizes to fit all needs and keep you growing:
1) Aluminum tops and bases for reduced weight. Half the weight of competitive filters.
2) 6mm (1.8″) RC-48 activated, certified virgin carbon bed.
3) Machine packed carbon means more carbon and less movement.
4) Cone shaped internal base for optimum air flow.
5) Sealed, bagged, boxed and labeled directly after being manufactured for optimum life span, handling and presentation.
6) 51% open air custom mesh.
7) Unique Anti Air Bypass System.
Large selection of sizes available to fit any application.
9) Flange & prefilter included.
Get ‘em now at hydroponicsunlimited.com