Information about Lamps
The plant sensitivity curve for photosynthesis has its peak at the red end of the spectrum (675nm) (McCree).
This chart indicated that providing plants with the wavelengths best suited to photosynthesis, is the most efficient use of artificial light. Tests show a mean deviation from the average sensitivity curve of less than 5% for a wide variety of plants. The curve shows that the maximum sensitivity for photosynthesis lies in the far red at approximately 675 nm.
The plant sensitivity curve disputes two common misconceptions. The first is that an "ideal" plant growing lamp duplicates the spectral energy distribution of the sun. Sunlight has a continual spectrum, radiating energy in wavelengths that contribute less to photosynthesis, and are therefore "wasted" on the plant. For this reason, many lamps are more efficient than sunlight for plants.
Which Lamp is Best for Your Growing Needs?
Metal Halide Lamps This type of light is blue-orientated in the spectrum. It's the best type of light to be used as a primary light source (if little or no natural sunlight is available). This type of lamp promotes plant growth.
High Pressure Sodium Lamps These lamps are red/orange in the spectrum. They are the best lamps available for secondary or supplemental lighting (used in conjuction with natural sunlight). This type of light promotes flowering/budding in plants. It's ideal for Greenhouse/Commercial growing applications.
Conversion Lamps There are two(2) types of conversion lamps:
Sodium Lamps which run on halide ballasts - more common.
Halide Lamps which run on sodium ballasts.
This type of lamp allows you to tailor the light source to the growth stage of the plant (again, using halide blue light for growth and sodium red light for flowering/budding) merely by changing lamps.
Fluorescent This type of light is perfect for starts and seedlings but is a poor light source for growth and budding primarily because of low lumen output.
Incandescent Unlike the other lamps, above, this type does NOT require a ballast. These lamps consist of Sylvania Spot Gro R-20 and R-40 flood lamps available in 75 watt and 150 watt sizes. Also good for starts and seedlings. Good lamp choice for individual plants or small groups of plants. Provides an inexpensive alternative to HID lamps.
Note: Halide and High Pressure Sodium are referred to as "High Intensity Discharge" (HID) Lamps
Lamps > Metal Halide
Metal Halide lamps provide a light that is blue-orientated in the spectrum. It is the best type of light to be used as a primary light source (if little or no natural sunlight is available). This type of light promotes plant growth.
Sunlight provides you with the facts about which type and style of lamp you need to suit your particular home greenhouse or commercial growing application. Our lamps are the highest quality and offer you the flexibility that you want. We can help you choose the best solution for your lighting problem.
Lamps > High Pressure Sodium
Sunlight provides you with the facts about which type and style of lamp you need to suit your particular home greenhouse or commercial growing application. Our lamps are the highest quality and offer you the flexibility that you want. If assistance is needed, we can help you choose.
High Pressure Sodium lamps provide a light that is red/orange-orientated in the spectrum. It is the best type of light to be used as a secondary light source (in conjunction with bluer light or metal halides). This type of light promotes plant fruiting and flowering as it mimicks the natural fall/winter spectral shifts that occur with the changes in the season. It will work as a primary light source, but is more prominently used during the fruiting cycle of you gardens.
Conversion lamps are HPS lamps that are operated with standard metal halide ballasts.
Enhanced Spectrum Lamps are the number one selling horticultural HPS lamps due to thier increased output in the Blue spectrum, giving the best combination of light for both growth, and flowering.
Ballasts
Ballast Housing - Our Sun System brand remote ballasts utilize a heavy duty white powder coated extruded aluminum ballast housing. This method is quieter and dissipates heat better than a sheet metal housing. It is also sealed and keeps moisture and debris out of the unit.
High Temp Capacitor - Our ballasts come with a high temperature rated capacitor. Most of our competitors using cheaper 85 or 90 degree caps. If there is a component failure in a ballast, 9 times out of 10 you will find it is the capacitor. 100 degree caps are more expensive, but they can vastly increase the life and reliability of a system.
Transformer - The light systems we manufacture use only the highest quality, domestic name brand ballasts and components. (The Sun System X utilizes a high quality import system, but retains the domestic high temp capacitor as a standard).
UL Listed - We have gone to great lengths to insure our products are safe and reliable. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sets the standard for fixture testing. They conduct extensive tests before giving their seal of approval on a product, making sure it complies with their strict standards. All systems are UL listed (with the exception of the SS X).
Detachable Lamp Cord Set - Our system offers the convenience of the detachable lamp cord. This allows you to easily seperate hood from ballast for mobility and ease of maintenence. Some competitors have products that are hard wired, and often difficult to work with.
Sockets - Our univeral socket assembly offers 2 distinct advantages over conventional sockets: One, it's compatible with our entire line of reflectors, both horizontal and vertical. Two, it's the industry's only custom-made 5 kv/hor socket exclusively made for Sunlight Supply.
Reflectors
The type and style of reflector that you choose can make the difference between a poor result and a superior growing experience! Sunlight Supply manufactures several different horizontal reflectors to ensure that you get the correct reflector for your particular gardening needs and requirements. We also manufacture eleven different vertical reflectors, ranging in size from 2 feet to 7 feet, with your choice of parabolic, cone or deep cone to maximize plant growth.
Most all of our horizontal reflectors come with a 95% reflective, textured aluminum insert. These hoods will have far better performance than the competitors hoods that use a 87% reflective spectral pebble insert.
If you have any questions about grow lights please call Interior Gardens and we will be happy to help.
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