High Pressure Sodium Lights | Hydroponic Lighting Systems

? High Performance Lighting

High pressure sodium lights are part of the high intensity discharge family (HID)of lighting family, along with metal halide. HPS come out of the advancements of street lighting, where their most commonly used.

? Horticultural lighting

Horticultural lighting can be divided into to families; high intensity discharge and low intensity discharge-fluorescent tube technology High pressure sodium lights emit an orange-red glow. This band of light triggers hormones in plants to increase flowering/budding within plants. They?re the best grow lights available for secondary or supplemental lighting (especially if used in conjunction with natural sunlight). This is ideal for greenhouse growing and grow rooms.

? A more rounded light spectrum

High pressure sodium son t plus bulbs for a more all round bulb, these light have more blue light output, which have been designed pacifically for growing than street lighing, like the Metal halide bulbs although their a lot more efficient and with almost double the life span of Metal halide bulbs at 18,000 hours, although its recommend replacing after half this time if being used for grow lighting.

? So how many lumen's for my watts?

High pressure sodium HPS bulbs are real efficient. They produce up to 140 lumen's per watt. Although that lessons the further away the bulb is to the plant, but typically you?d expect 40,000 to 50,000 lumen's from a HPS.

? Can my plants absorb all the lumen's I throw at them?

Well short answer is no, lumen is a measurement of light for us humans, of what we pro sieve as bright light, but its most defiantly not a measurement that you?d use for plants as a large part of HPS spectrum is in the green, the same part that plants largely don?t use.

? Which parts of the spectrum do plants use then.

The lions share of the light spectrum for plants lay in the blue, like Metal halide and some fluorescents, and red like standard HPS bulbs, this is why son t plus is such a good all rounder for growing

? magnetic Ballasts

The most popular type of ballast is magnetic ballasts, these types are still popular due to there price tag and are technically referred to as CWAT (constant wattage auto transformers) which are large (due to the massive transformer inside) and can also become very noisy too,also shortens the life of high pressure sodium lights and sounds like a power sub station-BUZ BUZ

. Digital ballasts

Digital ballasts are a fairly new arrival, they?re more expensive than the traditional magnetic ballasts and some offer automatic detection of HPS and MH bulb as the two types cant be ran on the same type of ballast, inn less a switch able ballast is used, there also fairly silent, light and have an extend bulb life due to more accurate control over current, the appearance of a "flicker-free" light output due to the electronic ballasts high-switching frequency generally 15,000 Hz as opposed to 60Hz for the standard magnetic(transformer ballast)

? Bulbs for growing (vegetative growth cycle)

The most common bulbs used for growing are Metal halide and horticultural fluorescents and LED lights as the predominant light is blue spectrum that provides very healthy, lush, green growth making it ideal for vegetative and cloning applications.

? Bulbs for flowering/Bloom

The light emission from High pressure sodium lights bulbs tends to be predominantly orange in spectrum and HPS lamps produce the most lumen's per watt of visible light power and the highest PAR watt plant grow power of all classes of common discharge lights. Due to their high quantity of near-red and relatively high ultraviolet (UV) light output, these lights are well suited for mimicking the summer and winter seasons. Crops grown under these lights tend to be stockier with tight inter nodes and solid well-developed fruit sites, showing increased yields.

? Switching relays

Switching relays are used when a grow light needs switching off remotely, by a segment timer or digital timer, the relay is used to bypass the need for the light current to go though the timer, as domestic timers are not build for such high currents, and normally break down under these circumstances.

AlthoughHigh pressure sodium lights others mentioned above are at present the most common bulbs for horticulture growing see why LED lights are catching up?
LED grow lights page

? Safety

As with anything, when involving electricity, heat and water, please be careful, and remember to read all instructions and take all precautions, when dealing with water and electrics

Return to Grow Lights For Plants from High pressure sodium lights

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

readmore

Privacy Policy for Hydroponic Growing Systems

Privacy Policy for www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy statement, please feel free to contact us by email at thiachi@hotmail.co.uk.

At www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com and how it is used.

Log FilesLike many other Web sites, www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com makes use of log files. The information inside the log files includes internet protocol ( IP ) addresses, type of browser, Internet Service Provider ( ISP ), date/time stamp, referring/exit pages, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user?s movement around the site, and gather demographic information. IP addresses, and other such information are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable.

Cookies and Web Beacons www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com does use cookies to store information about visitors preferences, record user-specific information on which pages the user access or visit, customize Web page content based on visitors browser type or other information that the visitor sends via their browser.

DoubleClick DART Cookie .:: Google, as a third party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com..:: Google's use of the DART cookie enables it to serve ads to users based on their visit to www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com and other sites on the Internet. .:: Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google ad and content network privacy policy at the following URL - http://www.google.com/privacy_ads.html

Some of our advertising partners may use cookies and web beacons on our site. Our advertising partners include ....Google Adsense

These third-party ad servers or ad networks use technology to the advertisements and links that appear on www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com send directly to your browsers. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. Other technologies ( such as cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons ) may also be used by the third-party ad networks to measure the effectiveness of their advertisements and / or to personalize the advertising content that you see.

www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers.

You should consult the respective privacy policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information on their practices as well as for instructions about how to opt-out of certain practices. www.hydroponic-growing-systems.com's privacy policy does not apply to, and we cannot control the activities of, such other advertisers or web sites.

If you wish to disable cookies, you may do so through your individual browser options. More detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers can be found at the browsers' respective websites.

Return from Privacy Policy to Hydroponic Growing Systems

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

readmore

Aero Garden Aeroponics Growing Systems

Aero garden are the latest bad boy on the block, but are they true Aeroponics!Well I hate to break the bad news, but these fellas aren?t in the true sense of the word, aeroponic.

?Why? true aero growing, means no medium ( soil ) for the roots to grow in, which is true, these out of the box aerogarden do grow plant, without soil and in water solution, but that?s where the similarity ends I?m afraid, they also cost loads of dough, considering that they consist of a cheap pump some widgets and a very small grow light.

True aeroponic grow systems, grow plants in a mixture of air and fine water mist, its basically a type of hydroponics, and if done well its hydroponics on steroids, sound great yeah! then maybe try these Homemade Areoponics System Plans Which is one way of doing areoponics, but if you're after plans for an aero garden, like the one above then have a peep at my Areo Building Plans it's a fun system that uses air to lift nutrient solution into a drip feed, but is a little noisy, as it make a bubbling spitting noises, but still a brilliant growing system.

? Misconceptions of Aeroponics

The main Misconception for aero gardens is the thinking that?s been circulated about the net is that, aero gardening means that the plans don?t need to grow so much root system, ?this is not the case? and I can only assume this misconception came about because the roots don?t need to travel to acquire nutrients and water, although this is obvious the main reason for roots, its not the only one.

Think of roots as more of a battery than simply a system for collecting water and distributing fertilized water solution Amongst root fibers there?s also starch, and starch holds lots and lots of energy,If plants are healthy and can collect extra energy, this is where its held( also the main stem, but mostly roots, so any extra energy is converted into starch, for use later on when needed, either for growth or for flowering, so even if you think a plants is large enough for flowering, the roots may tell a different story, so people like to allow the roots to get well established before flowering or fruiting but I?ll cover more on how to grow your plants on another page, and another time.

? What?s True Aeroponics

Home use aeroponics systems are very different to commercial units, in fact very different, although what I?m about to say seems a little trivial, until you to realize how roots work.

? So what?s the benefits

In true Aeroponics, the roots are free of constraints, unlike other aero garden system, such as flood and drain systems that use expanded clay pebbles that although are still a great systems,they do still hinder root development.

? Assess to air and lots of it optimise's plant growth, but why?

Top Root section

Plant roots can be divided into three sections, the top most roots that are normally just under the ground, take advantage of the top soil, as this is the place where high amounts of air are still available, so its these roots that are most able to take advantage of the extra air within the top soil or your aero garden

Middle root section

This middle section that?s referred to as the root ball, its this middle part that?s adapted to either take in extra air, when conditions are dry, or after heavy rain are able to collect or sit in flooded soil, without suffocating for some time, ie there a bit of a go-between, depending on moister conditions.

Bottom root section

The bottom part of the root mass are called tap roots, and its these fellas that go in search of a constant supply of water, they really love it, they keep looking and looking until they hit jackpot.

Oxygen is essential for all plant root systems, you've probably seen plants that have been over watered before, and how unhealthy they look, and if not rectified, soon die.

High pressure-areoponic growing systems are purpose built to give all the air and nutrients your plants could ever need, and with the added bonus of over delivering clean air to the roots, pathogens are less likely to be acquired.

? Commercial Aeroponic Systems

Commercial aeroponic systems spray the roots, as you would imagine, except the spray is a very fine spray (small droplets, almost like a mist, if you?ve used one of them pressurized crop sprayers, you?ll know what I mean,aero spray nozzles are only operated for a brief amount of time, times very, but generally for only 5 seconds in every 15 to 20 minutes, via a high pressurized system, just enough to dampen the roots, but nothing more.

? Home-domestic aeroponics systems

Home grown units run of a common fish pond pump, which is what?s called a low pressure aero garden system, that runs a sprinklers, mini sprinklers, the one you?ll see at any garden center, these sprinklers spin, as the water forces it round, but what come out isn?t a fine mist, like the commercial aeroponic garden systems, but fairly large droplets, that soak the roots, which is not what Aeroponics is about, but still a system worth considering.

Return To Hydroponic System From Aero Garden

 

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

readmore

Simple Homemade Hydroponics Systems, Guide To Making Your Own

Introduction to homemade Hydroponics Systems

?Which homemade hydroponics systems best for you?well there are six types, or methods of hydroponic systems, some more simple than other's, but theres lots more variations ?Concoctions? on these systems, or a combination of these six below and also my Other homemade contraptions too.

. Homemade Grow Room

Many folk buy grow room tent kits to house there plants ?but back in the day you had no other choice but to build your own grow room?, and of course you get-which ever grow room setup you like with a homemade grow room, with other benefits you may never have thought of before.

. Homemade Co2 Generator

Simple to make homemade Co2 generator for very small grow rooms, like PC grow rooms and maybe even a small closet grow-room setups

Can i expect Massive plant growth?

If all the other plant requirements are met then an extra 30% plant growth can be expected, "but only if Co2-PPM are kept at 1500.

? wick hydroponics-Passive hydroponics

wick homemade hydroponics, it?s the easiest of all home-made hydroponics, and in fact you?ve probably already used this simple system, as its used most wildly in hanging baskets and garden pots as a simple way of preventing your growing medium from drying out.

It's a passive system, which means there's no moving parts, The nutrient solution is drawn into the growing medium from the reservoir with a wick.

? Passive Homemade Hydroponics (ebb and flow-flood and drain system)

Passive homemade hydroponics, ebb and flow relies on gravity to very slowly release water from on container, into your plant pot, or pots, via a connecting tube, that wets the medium as it passes though, then exits, at that point the water solution is either collected by another container that's at a lower height to the plant container, and is then manually emptied back to the first bucket, it?s a simple homemade hydroponics system that does not rely on anything other than gravity itself, meaning its a passive, ebb and flow hydroponic system.

? Deep water culture

Homemade Deep water culture is the first hydro system I tried, fifteen years ago or so, and i still use to this day its one of my favorites, it?s also the simplest of the what?s called an active hydroponics system.

The most common type is a platform that holds the plants is usually made of Styrofoam and floats directly on the nutrient solution. An air pump supplies air to the air stone that bubbles through the nutrient solution and supplies oxygen to the roots of the plants.

The variation I use is one with a fixed lid, as I like to control my water level, to allow for an air space between roots ball and water, and is great for starting and germinating seeds as I think this one of the best and simplest way's to start of your hydroponic seeds.

. Hydroponic Drip System (Air Lift)

This Homemade hydroponics drip system that uses air to continually drip solution onto your plants roots is this years favorite hydro systems, its so simple and pretty reliable too, so build your own air lift hydro system.

With other Recovery Drip Systems, the excess nutrient solution that runs off, is collected and re-used, any medium can be used, including soil, which happens to be the only place that I use it.Operation is simple; a timer controls a submersed pump. The timer turns the pump on, between 2 and 4 times a day, depending on the medium your using

nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant by a small drip line. that?s right in the back garden, together with a soaker hose, so all the watering in my back garden is automated ?yep im pretty lazy? but it lets me get on with stuff I like doing about the garden ?like weeding? ok that was a joke.

? Ebb and flow Homemade hydroponics

The Ebb and Flow system works by temporarily flooding the grow tray, normally two or three times a day, with nutrient solution and then draining the solution back into the reservoir. This action is normally done with a submersible fish pump that is connected to a timer.

Its a good system to use, if build properly, although a little heavy when filled with medium, Many people like to use individual pots filled with growing medium, this makes it easier to move plants around or even move them in or out of the system.

? NFT Hydroponics Homemade (Nutrient Film Technique)

When ever you ask someone ?whats hydroponics? they?ll almost always describe N.F.T.

yes it?s the most wildly used system and works by having a constant flow of nutrient solution "so no timer Required" from the submersible pump. The nutrient solution is pumped into the growing tray (usually a tube) ?although this is a mistake? and flows over the roots of your plants, and then drains back into the reservoir.

There is usually no growing medium, other than a small amount of rockwool in the pot, used other than air, which saves the expense of replacing the growing medium after every crop. Normally the plant is supported in a small plastic basket with the roots dangling into the nutrient solution.

Main disadvantage with N.F.T. systems are very susceptible to power outages and pump failures. The roots dry-out very rapidly when the flow of nutrient solution is interrupted, but thankfully there's a very neat tip to solve this, amazing results can be had with NFT.

? Homemade Aeroponics systems

Aeroponics has really taken off although most Aeroponics systems aren?t true aeroponics like the commercial aero gardens as these use high pressure to deliver a very fine spray for a short time ?every twenty minutes for five seconds at a time. The systems that are available to you and me are low pressure systems, that use sprinklers ?the one's that you can buy for garden watering systems, this is not true aeroponics, but never the less does still give very good results.
A timer controls the nutrient pump much like other types of hydroponic systems, needs a short cycle timer that runs the pump for a few seconds every couple of minutes. This is the only really annoying part, as these timers are fairly expensive to buy.

 

 

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

readmore