Old grower returning - bulb advice

[lukeDrs]

Hello guys,

Just about to purchase my new equipment, it's been a few years since I have grown but the new types of bulbs are confusing me.

I always used MH for veg and HPS for flower, the older style bulbs where specifically made for veg (MH specifc blue light spectrum) and flower (HPS specific red light spectrum).

Now I am looking they all seem to be "dual spectrum". originally I was going to purchase the following:-

2 x digital ballasts
2 x 600w BLUE spectrum MH bulbs
2 x 600w RED spectrum HPS bulbs
And obviously switch the bulbs around from veg/flower.


My question is - if I go for 2 x digital balasts with 2 x dual spectrum HPS bulbs will this be detrimental to the plants (will the yield be effected? - I want a big yield so I only have to grow twice a year and be self sufficient) - as in both stages of veg/flower they are getting both spectrums of light - whereas the olds style bulbs it's totally customised around what stages the plants are at.

Cheers guys

[RASTA]

Hello guys,

Just about to purchase my new equipment, it's been a few years since I have grown but the new types of bulbs are confusing me.

I always used MH for veg and HPS for flower, the older style bulbs where specifically made for veg (MH specifc blue light spectrum) and flower (HPS specific red light spectrum).

Now I am looking they all seem to be "dual spectrum". originally I was going to purchase the following:-

2 x digital ballasts
2 x 600w BLUE spectrum MH bulbs
2 x 600w RED spectrum HPS bulbs
And obviously switch the bulbs around from veg/flower.


My question is - if I go for 2 x digital balasts with 2 x dual spectrum HPS bulbs will this be detrimental to the plants (will the yield be effected? - I want a big yield so I only have to grow twice a year and be self sufficient) - as in both stages of veg/flower they are getting both spectrums of light - whereas the olds style bulbs it's totally customised around what stages the plants are at.

Cheers guys

You can still get full spectrum HPS bulbs m8.
Ad go for MH and full spectrum HPS.

But youd do just fine with the one dual spec hps for veg n flower

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[M_C]

Whilst I have an MH bulb (and possibly a full on HPS), I'm more than happy with my dual spectrum bulb that does not need to be swapped out

[lukeDrs]

Cheers for the fast response guys,

I know I can use the dual spectrum HPS in flowering - but has anyone tested the difference in yield between dual spectrum HPS and regular red spectrum HPS in flowering? Is there is hardly anything in it I'll probably just go dual spectrum HPS for veg & flower. I just didn't want the dual spectrum HPS effecting my yield if it gives off 50% blue spectrum.

[M_C]

TBH, I think you will find it a 'swings & roundabouts' thing. Most will say it's fine... and a small percentage will argue the spectrum range. Sunmaster do quite an extensive range of different spectrum bulbs for the OCD among us

[lukeDrs]

cheers M_C, I'm quite old fashioned in my ways as-in I always used the blue spectrum MH bulbs for veg and red spectrum HPS bulbs for flower and always got awesome results. My mind is kinda telling me if I flower with dual spectrum HPS then my yield won't be as good as if I had used specific red spectrum HPS bulbs.

Sorry if this is confusing I think I'm confusing myself lol

[lukeDrs]

Let me try and rephrase, if I purchsed a 600w dual spectrum HPS - would this be the same as running 1 x 300w blue spectrum and 1 x 300w red spectrum, because if it is surely when I'm in flower I want the majority of my wattage using the red spectrum? Hopefully I make sense with what I'm getting at now.

Cheers for being patient with me guys lol

[M_C]

This is the point that the whole subject gets fun

The LED guys are probably the best to talk to as they have a better understanding of how all these figures stack up

[Vlad the Inhaler]

That reminds me.. I must buy a new bulb. Mine’s got burnt leaves stuck all over it.

Seriously tho.. I think the dual spec bulb was made as a money and aggro saver. I’ve always used them and my yields are good, so why bother buying two different ones?

[lukeDrs]

That's enough for me if everyone is in the same boat, just wanted a little more of the "science behind it" regarding spectrums.

Cheers guys