STEP 1: READ ABOUT AND CHOOSE A TYPE OF LIGHT SOURCE FROM THE OPTIONS BELOW.

Having trouble deciding on which lighting system to chose?  Well have no fear, we have built this simple three step process to guide you in the right direction. Start by reading about the types of lighting sources below and once you find the one that is right for you click the "select" button to bring you to the second step, determining the right wattage for your grow area.  By following these steps to custom configure a lighting kit (ballast, bulb, and reflector) you will receive 20% OFF the cost of the reflector.

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  Metal halide (MH) bulbs emit a light spectrum which appears blue-white to the human eye.  This color spectrum is more suitable for vegetative growth, or starting seeds and cuttings.  Universal MH bulbs produce up to 110 lumens per watt in the vertical position.  In the horizontal position they lose 10% of their light output, and the usable life is reduced by 20%.  We prefer super metal halide bulbs that are position oriented, and generate up to 117 lumens per watt with no loss when burn in the correct position.  MH bulbs lose intensity with use so we relamp after 6-8 months.

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  High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulbs emit a spectrum which is more concentrated in the red / orange light range.  This color is ideal for fruiting and flowering stage of a plant's development.  HPS bulbs have a light output of 150 lumens per watt, and keep their light intensity longer than a metal halide.  We recommend relamping after 1 year of use.  HPS gives you the most bang for your buck, this is why HPS is by far the most popular light source.

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  We recommend maximizing your grow cycles by using a switchable or digital / electronic ballast that allows you to fire either Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium bulbs.  Use MH during your vegetative growth cycle and then switch to HPS to finish off for you fruiting and flowering growth cycle.

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  With the recent introduction of the highly efficient T5 technology, T5 fluorescents can now produce a respectable 92.6 lumens per watt. T5 fluorescent fixtures are excellent for starting seeds and cuttings, but are also a good choice for full term growth.  T5's use substantially less energy and operate cooler than metal halide and HPS grow lights and because of their minimal heat output per bulb, they can be placed very close to the plant canopy to maximize the light output.  T5 is our favorite fluorescent light source.