Grower Today

Everything about Plant Nutrients and Pest Control for Plants

Category: Hydroponics

  • Are COB LEDs Better

    Are COB LEDs Better

    Are you wondering if COB (Chip On Board) LEDs are better for growing plants than other types of LED? You’ve probably heard of different talks on how COB LED grow lights are one of the best in the market. But is this really true?

    Well, it is true that COB LED lights offer some great advantages to growing plants. COB LED lights are definitely better than normal LED and some other types of LED because they offer more diodes and better lumen.

    Let’s take a look at some information on COB LED light, their features, and many more. So keep reading to learn more info.

    What Is A COB LED?

    The manner in which LED diodes are packed together is generally known as a chip on board (COB). They are the new LED technology and are packed together to form a single and powerful light source.

    A lot of tiny LEDs are arranged side by side of each other on a substrate to form one single module. Thus, they are packed together to give a single and highly powerful light source.

    Generally, there are two types of LED lights and they are chip on board, COB, and the surface mount diode, SMD. Just like COB LED lights are great for growing, SMD LED lights are also fine. Both devices have their benefits. But let’s find out if COB LEDs are better than other types of LED.

    What Is SMD Light?

    Before we look into if COB LEDs are better, let’s take a look at the surface mount device. Surface mount device SMD is the most common type of LED light sold in the market. The LED chips are merged to form a print circuit board (PCB) which is established on a flat object that is rectangular in shape.

    SMD has the ability to accommodate 3 diodes on the same chip and it can work with up to 6 contacts. It can also work with different colors and can create any color by adjusting the output level from each diode on the chip.

    Are COB LEDs Better? Advantages Of LED COB

    Here are some benefits you stand to gain growing with COB LED lights:

    • Highly Efficient: Using COB LED lights to grow for your indoor growing plants are better because they offer more input power. Thus, you get better efficient input with lesser power consumption.
    • Excellent Light Spectrum For Plants: They are available in different colors. Thus, they will offer your plants the right spectrum for your plants‘ growing needs.
    • Deep Plant Canopy Penetration: COB penetration goes very deep and will even penetrate far beneath your plants’ canopy. This is thanks to their large LED chip that is more powerful compared to a single diode.

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    • Better Light Density: Their tightly packed small diodes allow them to offer much better and higher light density.
    • Higher Light Speed: Unlike other smaller light fixtures that need to spreads out from a central point, COB will cover the plants more evenly. This is because COB lights are arranged apart on a large fixture thereby encouraging better light speed that will cover your plants evenly.
    • Minimal Heat: COB lights are known to emit lower heat making them safe to be placed close to plants.

    Disadvantages Of COB LED Light

    The disadvantages of using COB LED light are not so much. So let’s look at their disadvantages:

    One major disadvantage of using COB LED lights is that if one of the lights fails or spoils, you would have lost that particular or entire fixture. Now, if you were making use of the only COB LED lights for your entire to grow space, one failed COB light means a large portion of light has been lost. This is because it will affect a large part of your light.

    Are COB LEDs Better: COD Vs. SMD LED Light

    Both COB and SMD LED lights are great. However, let’s look at how both advantages over the other:

    • More Diode: Both COB and SMD LED lights have multiple diodes. However, COB chips have up to 9 or more diodes while SMD has 3 diodes on a single chip. Thus COB lights will offer more light intensity, thereby making them more effective.
    • Efficiency: The efficiency of these two LEDs works at various rates and that’s because they are built with different features. Talking about SMD, the efficiency is not so great but it will still get the job done. COB on the other hand will offer your garden optimal productivity. Thus, making them an excellent option for plant growing requirements.
    Efficiency
    • Color Temperature: The color temperature in SMD is more flexible as there is a possibility of changing colors. It offers varieties of colors because of the primary color used in SMD. COB on the other hand does not offer color change flexibility. They are built to adhere to a single color temperature.
    • Affordability: Generally, LED lights are cost-effective and are more durable. LED lights also consume minimal energy, thus saving you on the energy bill. Thus, both SMD and COB are affordable. However, if we want to look at it from the manufacturing cost, SMD will be more costly than COB. The material cost for SMD is around 15%, while COB material cost about 10% of the manufacturing cost.
    • Brightness: The lumen generated by the chips will greatly depend on the brightness. SMD LED makes use of about 50 to 100 lumen per watt. COB works with a higher lumen and the least value is 80 lumen per watt. Thus COB LED lights give more brightness.

    FAQ’s

    What are the problems with COB LED’s?

    Some people feel that COB LED lights are one of the worst types of light for growing plants.

    The problem with COB LED lights is that they only emit light in one direction. This means that all of the light that is emitted is right at your plants.

    In fact, it is possible that every single ray of light that comes out of your COB LED light will be hitting your plant. This means that all of the light energy that comes out of the COB LED light is wasted. One way to look at this is that it is like trying to grow plants in an aquarium. It is impossible to get enough light into the aquarium because all of the light that is coming in is hitting the glass. If you were to move the plants out of the aquarium then you could see the full effect of the light. You would see that the plants were getting more light than they ever did in the aquarium. There are many other disadvantages to COB LED lights. They do not emit enough light to grow plants. They are expensive and they use a lot of energy. COB LED lights are also very loud.

    How do you choose between COB LED lighting and traditional incandescent or halogen lights?

    Well, that’s where it gets tricky. So if you’re looking for an LED light to replace your old light, here are some things to consider: Does it need to be bright? You don’t want a super bright light, because the cost is just going to be astronomical. If you can get away with a 50W or 75W light, that will usually be the best bet.

    How long do COB LEDs last?

    The lifespan of a COB LED is typically measured in years, not months. For example, the Cree XP-E2 is rated for 5,000 hours. It is also designed to have a very high lumen output (2700 lumens) with an average CRI of over 90. However, the lifespan is more than likely going to be shorter than what is stated on the product label.

    Are COB LEDs Better: Final Thoughts

    On our final thoughts on if COB LEDs are better; we would say both COB and SMD LED lights are great for growing. This is because LED lights are generally superior compared to other types of light.

    However, we have seen that COB stands out in terms of its brightness and other great features they offer.

  • Aerating Water For Plants

    Aerating Water For Plants

    Do you know if aerating water for your plants is necessary? Well, definitely yes! Have you ever wondered how plants can sit a long time in a hydroponic system without drowning? The trick is the air supplied. If you don’t provide your hydroponic plants with adequate oxygen, they will drown or suffocate.

    The root of plants must be supplied with air for optimal growth so aerating water for plants is important. So, plants require oxygen to breathe or respire.

    In this post, we will be talking about how to aerate your plants, the importance of aerating your plants, and more. So, read on to learn about this.

    How To Aerate Water For Plants

    When you aerate your water for hydroponic plants, you’re introducing dissolved oxygen (DO) to the system. The dissolved oxygen is usually ready to be assimilated by the plant roots. So, we can aerate our hydroponic system in the following ways:

    1.    Airstone With Air Pump

    One of the easiest ways of aerating water for plants is by using air stone connected to an air pump. They are very affordable and easily accessible. Air stones also come in different sizes and shapes, thus you will always find one that is suitable for your hydroponic system.

    Airstone With Air Pump

    So, air stone provides oxygenation by pushing the air pump through the stones. Because the air stone is quite porous, the air is split into a large bunch of bubbles. However, this large bubble may not be so efficient. This is because large bubbles tend to rise rapidly and they may end up not reaching plant roots.

    The good news is that the air stones we find in the market now generate smaller bubbles. Thus, this makes their job done more efficiently.

    2.    Automatic Siphon System

    The automatic siphon mechanism provides air to the plants by exposing the plant root system. This process is common in the ebb and flow system whereby the grow bed is drained and the plant root system is exposed to air.

    The automatic siphon system comes in various forms. They include loop, bell, and U shape and all of these mechanisms work on the same principle.

    The mechanism of action works this way: when the water level in the grow bed moves up and rises, it gets to a point it begins to go down. The water levels go down a tube called the standpipe. As the standpipe fills up, there is a suction created with a vacuum that pulls the water away from the grow bed.

    So the plant root is exposed to air for a while and the water goes up again and the process repeats on and on.

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    3.    Air Diffuser

    Using an air diffuser is another method of supplying aerated water to your plant root. Air diffusers comprise bendable tubes with holes in them that help emit air into water. Even though air stones are capable of distributing air evenly, air diffusers will supply smaller bubbles. Thus, most of these smaller bubbles usually get to the plant roots.

    This is the biggest advantage of air diffusers over air stones (bubbles size). However, various brands are now manufacturing sir stones with smaller bubbles because of the growing interest in hydroponics.

    4.    Oxygen Gap

    Some hydroponics system like Kratky method and NFT offers oxygen through an air gap. The nutrient solution should be placed in the grow bed. Allow the plant root to touch the nutrient solution and leave a gap for the rest of the plant body. There will always be enough air between the air gap created and the nutrient solution that will ensure the plant receives oxygen.

    5.    Root Hanging

    The last method we will be looking at for aerating water for plants is root hanging. Vertical and Aeroponic system often makes use of root hanging. Rather than allowing the root to sit in a nutrient solution, the nutrient solution can simply be splashed or pumped across the system and comes back to the reservoir. Vertical hydroponics makes use of pumping nutrients. On the other hand, the Aeroponic system makes use of spraying their nutrient solution.

    root hanging

    Importance Of Aerating Water For Plants

    Aerating your water for plants is very crucial when it comes to hydroponic gardening. So, let’s look at the importance of aerating the water in your plants for their optimal growth:

    • Nutrient Uptake: aerating your water for plants is important so that nutrients can be adequately absorbed by the plants’ roots. Thus, when your plants can absorb adequate nutrients, they will grow healthier and result in abundant yield.

    • Bacteria Build-up Is Reduced: with optimal dissolved oxygen, the roots are able to respire and there will be a drastic decrease in bacteria build-up. However, if the dissolved oxygen drops, it will cause anaerobic bacteria and fungi to build up. These bacteria build-up affects the plant root and restricts the roots from absorbing important nutrients. So, we definitely want to avoid such.

    • Respiration: just as animals and human beings respire, plants also respire. Oxygen is assimilated through the roots of the plants. This same oxygen is also absorbed through the plants’ stomata as well as their stem pores.

    Aerating Plants In The Soil

    Plants in the soil aren’t left out from dissolved oxygen (DO). They also assimilate important nutrients in the soil through oxygenation. Of course, the air present in the atmosphere provides these soil plants oxygen. Plants can also receive oxygen through air pockets in the soil.

    They can also obtain dissolved oxygen from nature through rainwater. Rainwater assimilates dissolved oxygen from the atmosphere before reaching the earth or soil.

    However, over-watering your plants can prevent the soil plant from accessing these air pockets thereby reducing dissolved oxygen. This will in turn cause your plant to drown or suffocate. So, ensure you don’t overwater your soil plants.

    FAQ’s

    What is aeration?

    Aeration is the process of adding oxygen to your aquarium or pond water. This is done by placing a sponge, air pump, or other air diffuser in the water and allowing the water to circulate. It is also possible to place an air stone directly into the water and allow it to bubble. Aeration is especially useful for aquariums or ponds that have very little movement in the water.

    The increased oxygen levels will encourage more fish, plants, and invertebrates to inhabit the tank or pond.

    What is a sponge?

    Sponges are made up of tiny pockets, called spicules, which are packed tightly together to form a strong and resilient structure. They are usually soft and absorbent, and can be found in both marine and freshwater environments. A marine sponge is often used as an underwater filter. Sponges are also used as filters on land, since they can absorb pollutants from the air as well as water.

    What is an air pump?

    Air pumps are small, portable devices that use compressed air to create bubbles that are dispersed through a diffuser. Air pumps are available in many different sizes and types. Most people use air pumps to aerate their aquariums, ponds, and water gardens.

    The air pump is one of the most essential tools for any aquarist. It is used to create bubbles, which helps oxygenate the water and remove ammonia and nitrates.

    What is an air stone?

    An air stone is a small device that creates bubbles. There are several different types of air stones available. Some of these air stones can be attached to a tank or pond for continuous bubbling. Others require manual operation, and are often used to aerate water when it is not being filtered or pumped.

    What is a bubble wort?

    A bubble wort is a piece of equipment that uses bubbles to aerate water. Bubble worts are typically used on a regular basis, so the bubbles will continue to disperse throughout the tank or pond. The bubbler must be used with the air pump to produce the bubbles.

    How important is considering the water for plant growth?

    Water is a very important part of your garden. It’s what keeps the plants alive and allows them to grow. If you water your plants too often, it will cause the soil to become dry and compacted. This will lead to slower plant growth and can even kill them! If you don’t aerate your soil every few months, it can actually cause your plants to be more susceptible to diseases.

    Aerating Water For Plants Final Thoughts

    There are lots of benefits to aerating water for your plants growing needs. Ensure you provide optimal air to your plants’ roots so they can flourish and give you abundant yields.

  • Growing With Household LED Bulbs

    Growing With Household LED Bulbs

    Are you wondering if growing with household LED bulbs will be great for your indoor growing needs? Well, let’s look into this.

    There is definitely a difference between regular household LED lights and LED grow lights. Regular household LED lights are the ones used in our homes while LED grows lights are designed especially for growing plants.

    The standard grow lights you find around you may be expensive and regular household lights are less expensive. For this reason, you may want to know if growing with household LED bulbs is ideal. Read on to find out the answer.

    Growing With Household LED Bulbs

    The straight-up answer is yes, growing with household LED bulbs is fine. In a few cases, you can grow your plants using household LED bulbs. However, you should note that these household bulbs are not designed for plant growing needs compared to the standard grow light bulbs designed for growing plants.

    Therefore, your plants may not grow efficiently as they should because they may not contain the appropriate full spectrum. Your plants require a complete spectrum of light containing all the colors of spectrum which are blue, red, violet, green, yellow, and orange.

    Also, some of these light spectrums are required by your plants to enter into their various stages such as vegetative stage, flowering stage, or fruiting stage.

    Household LED Bulbs for Growing Plants

    Growing with regular household LED bulbs may even cause you to always replace your bulbs because they don’t have a good lifespan compared to standard grow lights. Therefore, this might even cost you more. At the end of it all, regular household LED bulbs may end up prolonging your growing period. Also, the yield at the end of harvest may be small and of low quality.

    If you want to give growing with household LED bulbs a try, you can go ahead. Just make sure you keep a close watch on your plants’ response to these lights. Your plants’ response will tell you if they are fine with the light or not.

    Your plants may begin to exhibit some signs that they aren’t receiving good lights so this will help you determine their response. Some signs they will show when they are not getting optimal lights are as follows:

    Signs Caused By Inadequate Light

    • Leaves start to show lighter color and some parts of the leaves may begin to turn yellow,
    • Plants grow tall with weak stems,
    • Plants’ growth may be stunted.

    Once you notice these signs, it’s an indication you need to obtain some additional light bulbs. The best type of bulb usually contains both blue and red light wavelengths. The blue light is required for the vegetative stage and the red light for the flowering and fruiting stage.

    Signs Caused By Inadequate Light

    Types Of Plant Light Bulbs

    There are various types of daylight bulbs for plants you can use to grow your plants. However, if you require lights for just regular houseplants, you can go for light fixtures or lamps depending on your needs.

    Here are some plant light bulbs you can use for your indoor plants:

    1.    Incandescent Bulbs

    Incandescent bulbs are the light bulbs seen in most homes and they are one of the first options most people consider. They are one of the most common light bulbs to use and it is very affordable.

    Although incandescent bulbs emit much heat, which is why they should be set up at least two feet away from your plants. This will help avoid damage to plants caused by heat. Incandescent bulbs should be used for a small indoor garden. They will also consume a lot of power which can cost you extra.

    2.    Fluorescent Light Bulbs

    Fluorescent light bulbs are another popular type of light to use for your plants. They are ideal for small-scale gardens. With this light, you get a broader light spectrum that can be used for different purposes.

    Thus, you can use fluorescent lights for seed germination, vegetative stage, flowering stage, and fruiting stage. They are safer to be used on plants because they emit lesser heat and they are also budget-friendly. Fluorescent light bulbs will consume lesser power saving, thus, you get to save cost, and they last longer.

    3. High-intensity Discharge

    High-intensity discharge lights include high-pressure sodium (HPS), and metal halide (MH). These lights may be a bit expensive to obtain and use, however, they are still a great choice for your plant growing needs.

    The metal halide light contains blue light that will enhance vegetative growth. The high-pressure sodium light contains redder which promotes flowering. So, you can be sure of getting efficient lights for your plants with high-intensity discharge lights.

    However, with their efficiency, they are so powerful that they consume more power at the same time producing more heat. Also, they need an extra component called a ballast to complete them.

    4.    Light-emitting Diode (LED): Daylight & Soft White LED Bulbs For Plants

    LED lights are the most popular grow light used among growers. They are highly efficient and will release minimal heat while consuming less power. LED lights can produce both red and blue lights required for the vegetative and flowering stages of your plants.

    LED lights can be represented as daylight, bright white, and soft white. Talking about daylight, this is a very bright white-blue light that has a high value of color temperature range of 5000 to 6500K. On the other hand, soft white lights give rise to yellow tones with a lesser value of color temperature that ranges from 2700 to 3000.

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    FAQ’s

    Can I use regular LED lights to grow plants?

    If you are wondering whether you can use regular LED lights to grow your plants, the answer is yes. However, these lights are different from regular ones in a way that they emit far less heat. 

    Regular LED lights usually have a wavelength of around 620 nm and emit high amounts of blue light. If you are interested in growing plants indoors, you should look for LED lights that emit light in the range of 400-700 nm. You should also check if your LED light has a cooling fan. A fan will keep the lights cooler. In addition, you can also use fluorescent bulbs or CFL bulbs in your garden. These bulbs emit more light than regular LED bulbs.

    What color LED is best for plants?

    LEDs are the best light source for plants, and any LED that fits in the space you have available will work. The most important consideration is to make sure the LED is close enough to your plant that it is receiving the correct amount of light.
    The best color LEDs are the ones that most closely match the spectrum of sunlight, and this is the same for all plants.
    If you want to grow any plant in full sunlight, then you should use white LED lights.  What is the difference between red and yellow LEDs? The difference between red and yellow LEDs is that yellow ones have a slightly warmer color temperature than red ones. This means that they will emit slightly more blue light than red LEDs, but they also will emit more red light than red LEDs. They will not produce as much heat as red LEDs, and they will last longer.

    How far away should LED grow lights be from seedlings?

    The closer to the plant the better, and also the higher the light output is the better. As you said, the light should be at least 20 inches from the seedlings.

    This is pretty much the standard recommendation for starting seeds, unless your seedlings are large. You don’t want to be putting them under direct lighting for very long, but if you put them in the dark and keep them in there for too long they can actually die.

    Growing With Household LED Bulbs: Final Say

    Growing with household LED bulbs may be okay, but your plants won’t just grow healthily and efficiently as they should with a standard grow light. It’s best you go for grow lights that will provide your plants with the correct light spectrum for their growth.

    In all this, ensure the light you’re using for your indoor plants contains the correct color temperatures. so, invest in quality lights so your indoor plants can flourish.

  • Grow Lights Ballasts

    Grow Lights Ballasts

    Grow lights ballasts are required in traditional tube fluorescent bulbs as well as all high-intensity bulbs. Ballasts are needed for starting your bulbs and they will control the operations of your light.

    Now, when it comes to establishing your grow space and you plan on using high-intensity lamp discharge, then grow light ballast may be required in your setup. The absence of ballast in your indoor grow space will not make your grow light come on if you’re using high-intensity discharge (HID).

    So, we will enlighten you on what you need to know about grow light ballasts so you know their importance for your plants’ growing needs.

    What Is Grow Light Ballasts: What Do Grow Ballast Do?

    Grow lights ballasts control the current that flows into a grow lamp. They are required to power up or start certain bulbs.

    Generally, all gas discharge lamps such as compact fluorescent, HID, and linear fluorescent need ballast. Also, ceramic metal halide (CMH), high-pressure sodium (HPS), as well as the combination of HPS and MH all requires ballast. However, LED grow light does not require a ballast.

    Grow light ballast allows you to prolong your grow bulbs’ lifespan and enhance your grow light performance.

    What Is Grow Light Ballasts - What Do Grow Ballast Do

    How A Grow Lights Ballasts Operates

    In a standard situation, grow light needs high voltage to power up or start, and the ballast supplies this. Now, when power is pulled from a high voltage source by your grow light, this process can result in a current surge.

    This is why grow light ballast is required to control the current flow so the grow light can be prevented from such electrical spikes.

    Grow lights are low resistance and they make use of two mechanisms to light up which are electrical arc and gas. As you turn on a lamp, the bulb receives high voltage from the ballast which gets the electrical arch started.  When the arch receives power, the sodium is in a solid-state. However, it later changes by melting to vapor or gas.

    Now, when it’s in the gaseous state, the lamp resistance lessens. Thus, the grow light will need only less power to run. If the lamp lacks ballast that controls the current flow, there will be a perpetual increase in current and the bulb will eventually blow.

    Also, there will be a period when the HID bulb age and this will cause an increase in the demand for power for the light to keep running. So, when this happens, the ballast will increase the quantity of power to the bulb automatically.

    As the bulb attains a point of requiring too much power, the ballast will shut down automatically to prevent any hazard or accident. This implies you have to get a new bulb for power continuation.

    Types Of Fluorescent Grow Lights Ballasts: Electronic Vs. Magnetic Ballast

    We have two types of fluorescent ballasts namely electronic ballast and magnetic ballast. You can choose either type for your plants’ growing needs. Both electronic and magnetic ballasts have their pros and cons.

    Some growers prefer magnetic ballasts because of their affordable price. However, they emit too much heat and consume more power. On the other hand, other growers prefer electronic ballasts as they are more efficient and they emit lesser heat. They will offer you better output while using less power.

    How Electronic & Magnetic Ballast Works

    1. Magnetic Ballast

    Magnetic ballast makes use of a magnetic coil in form of a big spool of wire wound about sheets of steel. This setup supplies a huge quantity of voltage required to start up the bulb. The magnetic ballast is known to be old-fashioned. They are bulky built and emit too much heat.

    However, they are pretty durable and will last you a long time compared to electronic ballast. Thus, if you want long-term use, you can go for magnetic ballast.

    Another great importance is that magnetic ballasts are built to meet a satisfactory standard of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). They make sure both lamp and ballast operate together accurately.

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    1. Electronic Ballast

    Electronic ballast makes use of semiconductors and microchips to supply the required high voltage. It does not make use of a magnetic coil which makes magnetic ballast heavy. Thus, electronic ballast weighs lesser, looks smaller, and produces lesser heat.

    Another added advantage is that electronic ballast offers more light which can be up to 30% of what magnetic ballast offers. They also consume lesser power while supplying more light.

    However, the disadvantage we noticed is that they aren’t ANSI compactable with a metal halide (MH) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps model that has 250+ watts. Thus, they are built in different ways resulting in bulb performance that is not consistent.

    For this reason, we recommend you purchase a complete lighting package. This way, you are sure the bulbs included are the right match for the ballast.

    Another plus is that electronic ballast can be switched which allows you to operate both HPS and MH without any problem. Also, the majority of electronic ballasts are dimmable therefore, you are allowed to run multiple bulb wattage.

    Growing Light Digital Ballast

    You may come across some ballast been labeled digital ballast. Have in mind that just a few of them are actually digital and they usually contain a microprocessor.

    These digital ballasts are very efficient and will do more of what electronic ballast will do. However, these types of ballasts are more expensive.

    Growing Light Digital Ballast

    Do LED Grow Lights Require Ballasts?

    LED grow lights do not require ballasts. This is because they can be easily plugged into a direct standard electrical outlet. They work in a totally different technique and they just require direct current.

    When you obtain LED light for your indoor growing needs, all which is required is right inside your package. So, no need for extra things like grow light ballast.

    FAQ’s

    What exactly is a ballast?

    A ballast is a device that is used to power a fluorescent light fixture.

    It can be thought of as an extension of the light fixture itself. The ballast is responsible for regulating the amount of electricity that goes into the light fixture. It also has the ability to limit the number of times the light fixture can be turned on and off.

    How do ballasts work?

    In order for a ballast to work, it must have two things: an input and an output. The input is the wire coming from the power supply. The output is the wire that goes to the fixture. For most ballasts, there are two wires going to the fixture: one for power and one for control.

    The ballast receives the power coming in from the power supply. It then regulates the amount of power that goes to the fixture. This regulation is based on how much light you want your fixture to produce. Some ballasts allow you to regulate the amount of light produced by the fixture.

    They do this by using a variable transformer, which adjusts the voltage to the fixture. Others are fixed at a certain level and can only be adjusted by changing the number of bulbs in the fixture.

    How are they powered?

    Ballasts are usually powered by AC mains power and operate on 240 VAC (United States) or 277 VAC (Canada).

    The ballast contains two main parts: the electronic circuitry and the transformer. The ballast’s electronic circuitry is designed to convert the AC power from the power source into DC power. This power is sent to the transformer, which transforms the DC power into a high-frequency AC power. This high-frequency AC power then gets to the fixture. A ballast can be either direct or alternating current (AC). A direct-current ballast converts the 120/240 volts of AC power from the electrical grid into 12- or 24-volt DC power, which is used to light the bulb. An alternating-current (AC) ballast converts the same power into a higher-frequency AC signal, which is sent to the lighting fixture.

    What are the different types of ballasts?

    There are three main types of ballasts: magnetic, electronic and ceramic. The magnetic ballast is the oldest type of ballast. It consists of a single transformer and has no electronic circuitry. The transformer receives the power from the power supply and sends it to the bulbs. The ballast regulates the amount of power going into the fixture. The electronic ballast is the most common type of ballast. It contains electronic circuitry that regulates the power going to the fixture.

    Conclusion for Growing Light Ballast

    All high-intensity bulbs and traditional tube fluorescents need a ballast to operate efficiently. But LED grow light does not require a ballast. So, you may decide to opt for LED grow lights to make things simpler.

    The good news is that ballasts are mostly included in your grow light package. Therefore, there’s no stress in searching for compactable ballast for your bulbs.

  • MarsHydro Led Grow Light

    MarsHydro Led Grow Light

    When setting up your indoor hydroponics garden, part of the process is choosing an effective grow light. LED light is one option to choose and there are different brands from various companies to purchase. If you decide to go for LED lights you can choose the MarsHydro LED grow light for your indoor growing needs.

    Even though many LED light options are available in the market to choose from with different awesome attributes such as technical specifications, pricing, etc, deciding the right pick may be confusing. But if you end up choosing the MarsHydro LED to grow lights, you can be sure of an effective result for your indoor garden.

    Some Info On Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights

    MarsHydro LED grow light is a type of LED light for indoor gardening which is made by a Chinese manufacturer. This company has been gradually embraced among indoor gardeners as they offer quality LED lights to indoor plants.

    These grow lights are affordable and easily accessible and this light is an excellent option for beginners. Also, the MarsHydro LED grow light is pretty adequate for both hobbyist growers and low-cost growers.

    712STTzYpUL. AC SX480 SY360

    These lights are of good quality especially the MarsHydro 300W which performs distinctively from its older version. The older version has issues with burnt diodes and this has been solved with the newer version.

    You can easily purchase them from the hydroponic store section, Amazon, and other reliable websites.

    Benefits Of Using Mars-Hydro LED Grow Light

    The MarsHydro LED grow light offers an impressive benefit which includes:

    • MarsHydro LED Offers a Full Spectrum: if you want to supply your plant with a full spectrum, then you should get your hands on the marsHydro LED grow lights. It offers full spectrum options for the vegetative stage, flowering stage, and fruiting stage. Thus, leafy greens or herbs, vegetables, fruits, and so on can be grow using this grow light.
    • It is Affordable and Accessible: another impressive benefit is its price offer as it is reasonably affordable and it’s easily accessible.
    • The Heat is in Moderation: the MarsHydro LED light does not produce too much heat. It has fans to disperse the heat emitted adequately to every part of the plants.
    • Durability: the grow light is pretty durable with a lifespan of around 50,000 hours. This means this grow light can last over 2,700 days if used 18 hours per day.
    • Warranty: there is also the benefit of a 3-year warranty. So, if there’s an issue of initial grow light failure you can be sure of warranty protection against that.

    Any Downsides From Using MarsHydro LED Grow Light?

    With the different benefits MarsHydro LED offers, we still notice a few downsides. Let’s take a look at them:

    • No Dimmer Switch: some of the brands that grow light lacks the switch options of light dimming. However, we believe it’s something you can work your way around. If the light is too bright, you can make use of protective wear for your eyes.
    • Absent of On/Off Switch: another downside of the MarsHydro grow light is that it lacks an on and off switch. You will always have to plug and unplug the grow light when making use of it.
    • Communication Gap: while this might not be much big of a deal, you may still have the communication gap of America-China a few times. However, they are getting better and one can’t resist the accessible, affordable, and nice quality of grow light they offer.

    Even with all these downsides, the overall importance is the good light quality this grow light offers to your indoor plants. So, it is definitely worth the purchase.

    Plants To Grow With Mars LED

    The great thing about MarsHydro LED grow light is that it offers a full light spectrum. Thus, most varieties of plants can be grown easily with this grow light and you get a tasty and bountiful yield.

    Plants To Grow With Mars LED

    Here are some examples of plants you can grow with the MarsHydro LED grow lights:

    • Peppers
    • Cucumbers
    • Tomatoes
    • Lettuce
    • Strawberries
    • Spinach
    • Melons and so on

    Some Recommended MarsHydro LED Grow Light

    Let’s take a look at MarsHydro to grow light you can go for:

    1.    MarsHydro LED Grow Light 300W Full Spectrum for Hydroponic Indoor Plants

    The MarsHydro LED 300W full spectrum is one of the MarsHydro brands you can go for to supply your indoor plants with lights. It is energy-saving as it only pulls in about 120W and it’s ideal for a coverage area of 2ft by 2ft or 4 square feet.

    It offers full-spectrum, thus, it’s ideal for vegetative and flowering phases. This grow light is safe to use on plants and we recommend positioning the grow light about 18 inches from your plants.

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    2.    MarsHydro Led Growing Lamps 600W Updated Led Grow Lights Full Spectrum

    This grows light is a 600W full spectrum ideal for the vegetative and flowering phase of your plants. It is energy-saving and will only pull 132W of electricity. It is perfect for a 3ft X 3.5ft coverage area.

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    3.    MARS HYDRO TS 3000W LED Grow Light for Indoor Plants 4×4 5×5 ft Commercial Grow Lighting

    This is one of the most recent MarsHydro grows lights for indoor plants. It’s been improved to have a dimmable full light spectrum for all your plant stages. It is ideal for commercial purposes. This grows light can cover a growing area of 5ft X 5ft vegetative stage and 4ft X 4ft bloom stage.

    It mimics the work done by sunlight and your plants will transition quickly from seed to flowering stage. Your grow life will be made comfortable as it is noise-free and easy to operate.

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    FAQ’s

    How many plants can a Mars Hydro TS 600 grow light?

    Many people are interested in growing hydroponics, but aren’t sure how many plants the Mars Hydro TS 600 grow light can support. This is important to know before you start growing hydroponically. If you are using a soil-based system, your plant count will be determined by the size of the container you use and how much soil is inside it. If you are growing in a tray, you have a different set of considerations.

    The Mars Hydro TS 600 is a medium output LED grow light that uses LED strips to create a high-quality, high-efficiency light source. It has a 4” x 24” footprint and can produce up to 7500 lumens. The unit is designed for indoor use only. While there are a number of factors that will affect the amount of light you get from a grow light, the most important is the power setting. A higher power setting will mean more lumens and therefore more light in your growing area.

    The Mars Hydro TS 600 has a default power setting of 35 watts.

    When you are ready to start adding more plants, you can increase the power setting by increments of 5 watts until you reach your desired output. For example, if you want to grow 6 plants with the Mars Hydro TS 600, you would start by setting the power setting to 40 watts and then increase it by 5 watts every time you add a new plant. Once you have all six plants, you can lower the power setting back down to 35 watts for the last plant and enjoy the rest of your growing season.

    The Mars Hydro TS 600 also has a maximum power setting of 60 watts. At this setting, you will get a lot of light, but you may be able to burn out your plants. You should always start by using the lowest power setting that you are comfortable with and then increase it as your plants grow. If you are having issues with light burnout, try increasing the power setting by 5 watts at a time until you find the right balance for you. The Mars Hydro TS 600 is an excellent grow light for indoor cannabis growers. It is designed for indoor use only and can produce up to 7500 lumens. It can be used in any orientation and can even be mounted on a ceiling.

    How far should Mars Hydro light be from plants?

    It really varies on the type of environment that we’re talking about, but as a general rule of thumb two feet should be fine.

    Is the HydroLED+ brighter than the HydroFLOWER?

    It is a much better investment. I have used the HydroLED+ for a couple of weeks, and it is an amazing light. It is more than 50% brighter than the HydroFLOWER. It is also cheaper. However, after using it for a week, the HydroLED+ was no longer available. The reason that it is not available anymore, is because they are too popular. The HydroLED+ sells out every day! So if you want to buy one, get one as soon as possible.

    How many watts is a Mars Hydro TS 1000?

    If the hydro is in an air conditioned environment, and the fan is set to blow at about 12 CFM, then you can expect a few hundred watts. I would check the power consumption on the unit itself, not on the inverter.

    Final Say

    We can see the MarsHydro LED grow light is one of the best budgets friendly lights you can go for. MarsHydro has been dedicated to supplying your plants’ professional LED grow light with minimal heat and little noise. It can also be used on all types of plants.

    Depending on the size of your indoor garden, you can use this quality grow light if you’re a newbie, have small gardens, or you just experimenting.  There are also brands available for large rooms or commercial setup.

  • How Many Plants In A 3×3 Grow Tent

    How Many Plants In A 3×3 Grow Tent

    If you’ve decided to grow your plants indoors and you’re wondering how many plants can fit in a 3×3 grow tent is, then this post is for you.

    One of the first important points to put into account before commencing an indoor garden is space. If you’re using a room, figure out how much space you have and if you’re using a grow tent, figure out how many plants can be grown successfully in your grow space.

    We will go through how many plants will fit a 3×3 grow tent size so you can plan your indoor garden set up appropriately. So continue reading to learn more on this.

    How Many Plants To Fit In A 3×3 Grow Tent?

    You can grow about 2 to 4 plants in a 3×3 grow tent size. However, the number of plants to be grown in a 3×3 grow tent will depend on how you train your plants.

    How you train your plant will be one major determinant of how many plants can fit in a 3×3 grow tent. Training is done to control the height and shape of your plants so they can accommodate your grow tent. Training your plants will not only control your plant size but will also maximize the yield of your crops.

    How Many Plants To Fit In A 3x3 Grow Tent

    When & How To Train Your Plant To Fit In 3×3 Grow Tent

    Let’s take a look at how and when you can train your plant so they can fit in your preferred grow tent size.

    Low-Stress Training Method

    One common way of training your plant is by the low-stress training method. It involves controlling and manipulating the shape of your plants for them to produce optimal yield. Low-stress training allows growers to make use of the available space and light adequately.

    Mostly, low-stress training allows your plant to grow horizontally and wide rather than vertically. It involves lowering a plant’s height at the same time producing multiple stems to maximize yield.

    A horizontal trellis net is usually used to control and guide the plant through the direction of the plant to follow as they grow. The trellis net is tied to each grow tent pole which allows the plants to grow horizontal and wide. You can also gently bend or tie down the ranch of your plant stem and branch with a soft rope so they grow outwards.

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    Training should be done in your plants’ vegetative stage. This is because at this stage your plant is still growing and producing more leaves. When your plants get to the flowering stage or they become established, it will be difficult to manipulate their growth direction. If you plan on making use of this method in your 3×3 grow tent, then you can grow up to 4 plants in a 3×3 grow tent.

    Check out How to Increase Humidity in Grow Tent

    Training By Pruning Method

    Another method of training your plant is by pruning or pinching. This method actually puts some stress on your plant because you have to make some cuttings.

    Pruning involves cutting some parts of the plants as they grow. This is done to change the growth pattern. This process also gives rise to optimal yield. You can grow about 2 plants in a 3×3 grow tent using the pruning training method.

    Sea Of Green Method

    The next method of training your plants to fit in your grow tent is the sea of green method.  This method involves pushing the plants to enter into their flowering stage ahead of their scheduled time. So, this is done by altering the lightning duration to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.

    This is done so you can get early flowering, thus yielding to early harvesting. Therefore, this allows you to grow more plants or flowers per year. With the sea of green training method, you can grow about 5 to 7 plants in a 3×3 grow tent size.

    Sea Of Green Method

    Screen Of Green Method

    The fourth and last training method we will be discussing is the screen of the green method. This method takes the steps of low-stress plant training. This also makes use of the net trellis by pushing the plants’ direction horizontally rather than vertically. With the screen of the green training method, you can plant about 2 plants in a 3×3 grow tent.

    How Many Plants in a 3×3 Tent Final Thoughts

    We have shown that how many plants you can fit in a 3×3 grow tent size will majorly depend on how you train your plants as they grow.

    So, we hope this information has helped you know how to plan and manage space.

  • UVA/UVB Lights For Plants

    UVA/UVB Lights For Plants

    Even though most of our knowledge on ultraviolet light seems to be undesirable, a bit of ultraviolet light is still safe. UV light is divided into 3 groups according to their wavelengths and are UVA, UVB, and UVC. In this post, we will be discussing if UVA/UVB lights are good for plants.

    As a grower, you should have an idea of the exposure of ultraviolet light on your plants and how the growth of your plants. So, let’s dive in and explore how UVA/UVB lights affect the growth of your plants.

    Ultra Violet Lights & Their Types

    Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation which has radiation shorter than visible light and is present in the sun.

    There are 3 different types of ultraviolet lights and they include:

    1. UVA: the ultraviolet A wavelength ranges from 320 to 400nm. The natural light that passes through the earth is made up of 3% UVA light. UVA light makes up most of the entire amount of UV light on the earth. You should however know that UVA lights for plants do not cause DNA impairment.
    2. UVB: the wavelength of the ultraviolet B ranges from 290 to 320nm. It makes up about 0.15% of natural the entire sunlight. The UVB light rays are capable of causing damage to the DNA of cells and they can as well cause cancer in living cells. The good news is that nearly all of the sun’s UVB rays are obstructed by the Earth’s ozone layer.
    3. UVC: the wavelength of ultraviolet C ranges from 100 to 290nm. The UVC light is extremely energetic and it’s capable of killing living cells. It is even used for sterilization uses to kill harmful microorganisms. Fortunately, UVC light rays are filtered out entirely from the Earth’s surroundings.

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    Among these 3 ultraviolet lights, only UVA and UVB are used in little doses by plants. So, let’s take a look at how UVA and UVB play their roles in plants.

    Benefits Of UVA/UVB Lights For Plants

    Various plants respond in different ways when they are exposed to UVA/UVB lights. Below are some benefits UVA/UVB lights offer plants:

    • Antioxidant Production: Generally, it’s been shown that plants enjoy an increase in antioxidants or flavonoids production.
    • Enhance TCH & CBD: Also, both UVA and UVB in safe doses offer your plants that awesome flavor and smell from the oil they produce. The effect of UVA and UVB has been shown to enhance the production of THC and CBD in certain plants.
    • Trichomes Production: The same way humans make use of sunglasses or sunblock to protect from the rays of UV, plants as well produce their natural sunblock or sunscreen. The sunblock plants produce is known as trichomes and the more the trichome production, the more the THC and CBD range.

    • Enhance Germination: The germination process of indoor seeds that are just starting can be promoted by ultraviolet lights.
    • Reduces Plant Shock: When your plants are still indoors germinating, they are still fragile to high light intensity. If you transplant them from indoors to outdoor, they might go into shock. This is because the light intensity outdoor may be too high for them to adjust. But when you expose them to a few UV lights when they are indoors germinating in their early stage, shock from outdoor transplanting can be reduced drastically.

    UV Lights In Grow Lights

    Most of the grow light available contains the entire visible spectrum and a few ultraviolet lights. This way, this uva uvb grow lights duplicate the natural sunlight in a very close range. However, you should know not all grow light contains ultraviolet light.

    Too Much UVA/UVB Light For Plants

    As we have said in a low dose, ultraviolet lights are safe for plants. However, when they become too much, they will cause harm to your plants.

    Ensure your indoor plants are kept safe from the rays of outdoor lights. Ultraviolet lights can penetrate through your glass windows and cause harm to your plants if they are not positioned properly. So, ensure you keep your fragile plants far from the reach of the light rays. You can as well obtain some dark thick curtains to block out the ultraviolet rays.

    Too Much UVA-UVB Light For Plants

    FAQ’s

    Do plants need UVA and UVB light?

    The answer to this question is yes. The ultraviolet (UV) spectrum is divided into two parts: ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB). Plants use both of these parts of the spectrum for different purposes. UVA is a part of the visible light spectrum that we see as white or yellowish light. It is a component of sunlight and is not filtered by clouds or the atmosphere.

    UVA is used by plants for photosynthesis and other cellular functions. UVB is the part of the spectrum that is filtered out by the atmosphere and clouds. Plants cannot use this portion of the spectrum for photosynthesis or other biological functions. UVB is important to plants because it causes plant tissue to darken. This causes damage to plant cells and can result in sunburns, which can be painful and cause skin damage if the exposure is too long. UVA radiation (wavelengths 400 nm to 320 nm) penetrates the atmosphere and can reach the surface of the earth. This penetration is dependent upon the amount of ozone and the wavelength of the UVA light. The UVB radiation (wavelengths 320 nm to 280 nm) penetrates the atmosphere and does not penetrate the stratosphere. This penetration is dependent upon the amount of ozone in the stratosphere.

    The UVB part of the spectrum is filtered out of sunlight by the atmosphere. As a result, the UVB radiation we receive at ground level is relatively small.

    What plant needs both of these?

    The only plants that I know that require both UVA and UVB are the blueberry. The blueberry needs a lot of UVA and UVB to flower and fruit. It can’t flower or fruit if it doesn’t get enough UVA and UVB.

    Do grow lights have UVA and UVB?

    Yes, grow lights have both ultraviolet (UV) A and ultraviolet (UV) B wavelengths. UV-B is the most harmful of these wavelengths, and can cause a sunburn on your plants, but UV-A is actually beneficial to plants. It causes plants to open their stomata, or pores, which allows air and carbon dioxide in and water out. Without this, the plant would be suffocating.

    Do LED grow lights produce UVB?

    There is a myth in the cannabis community that LED grow lights do not produce ultraviolet B (UVB) light. This is false. It is one of the most common questions we get asked by people who are new to growing cannabis indoors. UVB is known as the “sunlight” of the plant world, and it’s essential for flowering. UVB light is produced by plants in sunlight.

    Conclusion On UVA/UVB Lights For Plants

    So, we have concluded that ultraviolet lights are safe in minimal doses for plant growth. Both UVA and UVB in safe doses can offer your plants good benefits.