Grow Lights FAQs | Plant Grow Lights - Indoor Grow Lights for Plants at Discount Prices

1. General Grow Lights Questions

Q. What is the difference between High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide?

A. The difference between these two types of HID (High Intensity Discharge) lights is the color spectrum that each emits. The High Pressure Sodium bulb emits light that is concentrated in the red to yellow side of the spectrum and weak in the blue-violet end. The Metal Halide bulb emits light that is very balanced and contains all the energy peaks at wave-lengths of the visible spectrum. Visually the Sodium bulbs will appear very yellow-orange and the Halide bulbs will appear more blue-white in color.

Q. Should I Purchase a High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide Grow Light?

A. The Halide lights have a very balanced spectrum and are excellent for vegetative growth or leafy plants like lettuce and basil. The Halide lights produce between 65-115 lumens per watt. This is a measure of the efficiency of the bulb, or more simply, how much light you are producing for the amount of electricity you are using. The Sodium lights produce light that is very bright and concentrated on the yellow to red side of the color spectrum. This light is not as balanced as that made by the Halide, but it makes up for this difference in the amount of light given off by the bulb. The Sodium bulbs produce between 97 to 150 lumens per watt which is much higher than that of the Halide bulbs. The Sodium bulbs are superior in life expectancy and efficiency while the Halides are superior in spectral distribution. Your decision will be based on what is more important to you. Traditionally gardeners would use the Metal Halide fixtures for vegetative growth and the High Pressure Sodium (HPS) fixtures for flowering. According to some gardeners, flower volume and fruit weight can increase by as much as 20 percent when using HPS lights for flowering. Metal Halide is a very balanced spectrum and works very well for leafy vegetables like lettuce and herbs. Many growers will use the Metal Halide spectrum for vegetative growth and switch to HPS for the flowering cycle.

Q. Why do people use Metal Halides for vegetative growth and High Pressure Sodiums for flowering?

A. People switch between bulbs for different stages of growth for a couple of reasons. Sodium bulbs have been known to make some plants grow leggy and stretched out because of the yellow to red spectrum that they give off while Metal Halides tend to keep these plants tighter with less space between internodes. Therefore, growers use the Metal Halide lights during vegetative growth to keep the structural growth of the plant nice and tight and switch to Sodium lights when the plants begin to flower since the Sodium lights produce so much more light than the Halides. Even though the Sodiums do not have as good a spectrum as the Halides, the intense light that is put off by the Sodiums aids in flower development and fruit set. Do not be fooled though. You can use either light throughout the life of a plant and get excellent results.

Q. How powerful of a light should I purchase?

A. The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of square footage you are dealing with. Measure the length and width of the actual plant area to be covered (not the area of the whole room). Multiply length by width to obtain the square footage. Now, you will want to try and achieve at least 30 watts per square foot. If you have a 3ft. x 5ft. area you have 15 square feet. Multiply 15sq.ft. by 30 watts, and you get 450 watts. For a 3ft. x 5ft. area you will need to use at least a 400 watt light. Remember, though, to consider the type of plants you are growing. Some plants like lots of light and some like low levels of light.

Q. Do I need a ballast?

A. Yes. A ballast is required to start the lamp and to increase the voltage required to run the lamp. The ballast is responsible for starting the lamps by providing a high, fast charge of electricity. After the bulb lights, the range of voltage and current are controlled by the transformer which is why the bulbs operate so efficiently.

Q. How do I achieve both blue and red/orange light spectrums?

A. In order to achieve both light spectrums you will require both High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide bulbs. The MH produces the white/blue light and the HPS produces the red/orange light.

Q. Will I have any safety problems if I use my grow light on my patio? In the winter I will enclose my patio.

A. We recommend that the greenhouse grow lights be used in a well ventilated, cool, dry environment. If you can avoid moisture that would be best.

Q. We have an insulated area for the purpose of starting seeds for our garden. The room is about 20ft X 20ft and we have been using 4ft. broad spectrum florescent lights for the last few years. I feel we need more light. The ceiling is about 10ft. high and our stands for the seeds is about 4ft. off the ground. If we were to mount one of your 1000 watt units in the center of the room on the ceiling would it cover the area adequately or do we need a double unit. What is your recommendation?

A.For the size area you have described one 1000 wat unit is not enough. We recommend two 1000 watt Metal Halide Systems.

Q. We just planted 50 Organic Tomato seeds for our first planting. We plan other plantings about a month apart all year long. Which system is best for Tomatoes? Which is the best lamp for our small areas?

A. The 1000 watt MH + HPS system will be best for your requirements. A 400 watt system is good for a small area of 4ft.x4ft. However,50 plants in 1 gal pots would use approx 50 sq.ft. or more. A 1000 watt system is better.

Q. I am interested in germinating vegetable seeds in a 4ft. X 8ft. room. However, I am sure that I will not use the whole room. I am planning to use a table 7ft. long by 3ft. wide. Do I use a 1000 watt MH/HPS lamp to light the entire room or two 400 watt systems? 7ft. X 3ft. = 21sq.ft. X 40watts = 840 watts. How close does the lamp have to be to the pots to make them grow? Is the pattern of the light such that I can cover a table of the dimensions above or should I make it Square ( 4ft. X 5ft. approx.)? How much heat is generated by the 1000 watt fixture. Would it be enough to keep the room around 70 degrees when the outside temperature is 40 - 50 degrees?

A. We would recommend that you to visit www.gardeningindoors.com This is an unaffiliated site that offers literature on indoor growing. You might find useful. It will provide a comprehensive guide to indoor growing for you.

But to answer your light related questions. There is no correct answer as to which system to choose. There are those that believe that 1000w is the best solution and offers the most lumens output for their plants. We have seen growers maintain a distance of anywhere between 2-4 feet between their germinating seedlings and the light source. As for heat generation, your question is dependent on a number of factors including insulation and length of time that the light is on. But generally speaking the room will be much warmer than the outside temperature if the temperature is around 40 - 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q. I have an area 8ft.x 8ft. that I intend to fill with growing tables and jiffy pots for seedlings. I also use it to rejuvenate some house plants. I can hang the fixture so the bulb is 4ft. above the seedlings. Is the 1000w unit the way to go? Or is some other system better?

A. For an 8ft.x8ft. area, the most suitable system for you would be the 1000 watt 2 in 1 switchable system. It comes with a 2 in 1 remote ballast system that fires both metal halide (growth) and high pressure sodium (flowering) and uses one MH and one HPS lamp. This system is versatile enough to meet all your needs.

Q. Any idea on estimated increase to ones electric bill from using the unit?

A. Your calculation should be as follows: Number of days of "burn" x Time of "burn" (avg. per day will do) x Wattage of unit. Divide total number by 1000. This will give you kilowatt hours. Multiply this by the kilowatt rate on your electric bill and you will have your monthly charge.

Q. How much electricity will I save running a grow light 240 volt?

A. There is no energy savings from running your lights at 240 volts. That is a common misconception. The main advantage is the fact that you can run more lights on one electrical circuit. For example if you run a 20 amp 120 volt circuit, you can only run two 1000 watt lights on that circuit. If you were to wire the circuit up for 240 volts you can run four 1000 watt lights on that circuit. This makes for a lot less wiring but does not save you on your electricity bill because each light still uses the same amount of watts.

Q. How do I know if I need a 250w or 400w or 430w or 600w or 1000w grow light?

A. The best place to start is to figure out the square footage of the area you are trying to light. For high-light plants like tomatoes you will want to achieve around 40 watts per square foot for optimal growth and fruit production. For low light plants, and small leafy plants like herbs and lettuce, you will only need to achieve about 25 to 30 watts per square foot. When figuring your area measure only the plant area that you will be growing in. In other words, if the grow room is 5ft. x 5ft. but you will only be growing in a 3ft. x 3ft., area there is no reason to get a light big enough for the whole room. Use the 3ft. x 3ft. growing area to figure out how many watts you will require to light that area.

Width x Depth = Square Feet 3ft. x 3ft. = 9 sq.ft.
Watts x Square Feet = Desired Wattage 40w x 9sq.ft. = 360 watts
We will just round the 360 watts up to 400 watts. So, we know that we will be in the market for a 400 watt grow light.

2. Questions on Grow Light Systems

Q. Can I interchange bulbs between systems?

A. No. You should never interchange bulbs between systems unless they are specifically made to do so. Lots of people ask if they can use a 250 watt bulb in a 400 watt system. The answer: Definitely NOT! The bulb could become unstable and explode. Also, never put Halide bulbs in a High Pressure Sodium system. The ballasts are only meant to run the type of bulb they are rated for. A Halide bulb in a Sodium system could overheat and explode. There are conversion bulbs available. These are High Pressure Sodium bulbs that are meant to run off of a Halide ballast.

I must stress again: use bulbs only in their corresponding systems.

Q. Do these lights require any special wiring?

A. No. All Greenhouse systems are completely wired. Plug them into any grounded wall outlet. Custom voltages can be built into a ballast per customer request (120v, 208v, 240v, 277v). Do not attempt to change the voltage of the ballast unless you are an experienced electrician. Connecting the wrong wires could result in a fried ballast or bulb, and even worse, a fire.

Q. My system did not fire up immediately upon plug in. Is there a problem with the unit?

A. If it is a Metal Halide system it takes a few minutes to warm up (or in our terminology "to strike"). Give it a few minutes and it should fire the lamp appropriately.

Q. Any troubleshooting hints if a High Pressure Sodium Unit does not fire immediately?

A. Do you have good source power?
Is your wall socket working?
Is the lamp screwed in tight?
Make sure the voltage selector switch is set to the proper voltage.
Make sure that your lamp selector switch is in the proper position.
Make sure all plugs are attached securely and firmly to their respective sockets.

Q. How many Lumens are cast with the HPS 400W system in a 4ft.X4ft. grow area?

A. 400 watt HPS has 50,000 lumens, more than enough for a 4ft.x4ft. grow area.

Q. Does the MH 1000w System accept the Agrosun Gold 1000 MH bulb?

A. Yes.

Q. How many amps does the 1000 watt switchable system draw on a 110 circuit?

A. 9.5 amps @ 120V.

Q. Can the HPS 400 watt system use the MH conversion bulb?

A. Yes. You can use that conversion bulb with that ballast. The conversion bulb is made to run on an HPS ballast system but emits the whiter Metal Halide light.

Q. Regarding the switchable systems it says it comes with both lamps, but one socket, do both lamps fit in the same socket?

A. Yes

Q. How much extra is it so I can convert to 220? Do I just have to change the cord?

A.220V is the same as 240V It uses the same voltage tap. You can just order the fixture as 240V.

Q. Why is the 400W switchable more expensive than the 1000W switchable?

A. The current 1000w stock is still being sold from the stock we received earlier this year. The 400w is a new addition to the line and is being sold at this year's prices. We are holding off on raising the price of the 1000w until we get our new shipments in.

Q. How many Lumens are cast with HPS 400W system in a 4ft.X4ft. grow area?

A. 400 watt has 50,000 lumens, more than enough for a 4ft.x4ft. grow area.

Q. Can the Greenhouse Metal Halide 400w Grow Lights handle the HPS bulbs, too?

A. The MH 400 can handle a conversion bulb but it cannot handle an hps bulb.

Q. Does your 400watt Metal Halide Light System accept all metal halide 400watt lamps, conversion bulbs and metal halide 400watt sizes?

A. Yes

Q. Do you have a system that is suitable for outside use, in this case under a deck?

A. All Greenhouse light systems are made to work under normal grow room conditions. These conditions include high humidity, dampness, heat and long periods where the ballast has been turned on. In your particular situation, if the area under your deck is protected from rain, the conditions would not be too extreme for the ballast fixture nor the light hood. We recommend that you place the remote ballast in an area where it cannot get too wet but otherwise you should not have a problem with the elements.

Q. On the HPS 400watt system can you interchange lamps from HPS 400wt to MH 400wt Without changing any other part of the system?

A. Absolutely not! On the 2 in 1 1000w system this is possible, but not on the HPS 400 system. Bulbs can only be used in the systems for which they are intended.

Q. Can you just use 250 or 400 watt bulbs in the 1000w system?

A. Definitely DO NOT USE a 250w or 400w lamp in a higher wattage ballast. We do not recommend that a different wattage lamp be used in any of our systems.

Q. Do you have a system in which a 400 watt MH can be put in one of the sockets and a 600 watt HPS in the other rendering a 1000 Watt system with both spectrums? Can the Greenhouse 2 in 1 1000 watt system be made to do this?

A.NO! Greenhouse Two In One 1000 watt cannot be used with a less wattage bulb. When we say 2 in 1 we mean that our system can be switched from MH 1000 to HPS 1000. This does not mean that it has two sockets for two lamps at the same time. We do not have another product that does double socket.

Q. Can I buy a system with 2 separate Greenhouse ballasts (1MH & 1 HPS) which use the same reflector? I would just switch the ballasts.

A. In an effort to provide the most value for the most customers, we do not offer individual components for sale. The reason is that this requires warehouse labor and the goal at Access Discounts is to sell a finished unit in large volumes. You will notice that the price of two systems with reflectors and lamps is far less expensive than any of our competitors pricing for just two ballast systems and one reflector and two lamps!

Q. Are your lights air-coolable?

A. Yes. They are air-coolable.

Q. How noisy is the system?

A. The system does make a humming sound. We have never received any complaints about how noisy our system is.

Q. Is the glass included with the system?

A. No. You can purchase it separately as an accessory.

Q. Is there a heat sync feature available on the units?

A. No.

Q. Are the lights brand new?

A. All the systems we carry are brand new. Also, we thoroughly test all systems before they are shipped.

Q. I'm interested in the 2 in 1 system. I've been researching a light system for some time now. So far you have the best price on what I would like. How does it compare with other systems?

A. The 2 in 1 system we offer is almost identical to the competitors highest end product in terms of the components used. The ballast, capacitor and igniter are all U.S. made products. The ballast can and reflector are also U.S. made. These are not the China made ballasts that our competitors offer at the same price level. We are offering U.S. made products. When you review remote ballasts and reflectors, socket assemblies and lamps, this should be your first evaluation. The reflector offers similar light spread and intensity as our competitors. The only difference is the price. Please note that the 2 in 1 system comes with one HPS lamp and one MH lamp. Add up all the costs including freight and this system comes to you almost half as expensive as our competitors.

3. Questions on Grow Light Ballasts

Q. Does the remote ballast on the 1000watt HPS systems switch back and forth from 120v to 240v with just a flip of a switch? Or is an additional ballast required?

A. The remote ballast on the 1000-watt high-pressure sodium does go from 120v to 240 with just the flip of a switch BUT you need to switch power cords as a 240v plug has a different configuration than a 120v?

Q. Does the remote ballast have louvers on the front and sides to help in cooling of the unit?

A. Yes, the remote ballast does come with louvers on the side.

Q. Does the Metal Halide 400-watt remote ballast accept a high-pressure sodium conversion bulb?

A. Yes, it will accept and run a 360-watt conversion lamp.

Q. Will the 208v operate in a standard US socket?

A. The 208V will not work on a standard outlet.

Q. My electric is 220v ac around here. Do I need 208 or 240 for the 1000watt HPS? Is there a benefit to either?

A. You need a 240v. You will overdrive the ballast at 208v.

Q. What is the suggested wattage setting for using on a household outlet?

A.120v. The remote ballast system has been set this way from the factory. No need to change anything if you are using a standard household outlet.

Q. Is it a good idea to plug the unit into a surge protector? If so, do you need a special one?

A. Yes it is a good idea. But there are no special requirements on the surge protector as long as it is 10 amps.

Q. Can a common household timer be placed on the unit or do you need a special timer?

A. There is no need for a special timer for our remote ballast system. Any household timer will do as long as it is 10 amps.

Q. Can I use another manufacturers socket assembly with the Access Discounts remote ballast system?

A. No. The grow light systems we offer are complete. Another manufacturer's socket assembly will not fit into the Access Discounts ballast system since the plug configuration is different.

Q. What is the amperage Draw for each ballast?

Watts	Metal Halide		HP Sodium
	120V	240V	120V	240V
250W	2.5	1.3	2.5	1.3
400W	4.0	2.0	3.8	1.9
430W	NA	NA	5.2	2.6
600W	NA	NA	5.5	2.9
1000W	9.0	4.5	9.5	4.8

Q. Is it is possible to switch from 110 to 220 by flipping the switch and changing the wiring?

A. Yes. However we recommend a licensed electrician do this for the customer.

4. Questions on Grow Light Reflectors

Q.Can the reflector be configured for an air hose adapter and clamp? Are these items provided or must they be purchased separately?

A. Yes the reflector can be configured for an air hose adapter and clamp. Access Discounts offers an air vent accessory package. It comes with 2 vent adapters, hardware and hose.

Q. What's the effective area coverage with the reflector you supply?

A.
Area Coverage:
1000W 8ft. X 8ft.
600W 6.5ft. X 6.5ft.
400W 4ft. X 4ft.
250W 3ft. X 3ft.

Q.I'm trying to grow tomato plants indoors. I have a glass enclosure. The opening on the top is 13"X40". I'm looking for a light that I can install from the top. The enclosure is 30" ht.?

A. All of our reflectors (either the grower's pride or the illuminator hood / reflector) will fit.

Q. What is the material used in the reflector?

A. The Growers Pride Hood is made from material called, stucco, aluminum 88% reflec, pebbled finish. Its is very similar to Hydrofarm. The Illuminator Reflector/Hood/Start&Grow is made from 95% highly reflective aluminum material.

Q. Does the reflector offer a mechanism to center every length of lamp and/or raise and lower the lamp position inside the reflector to customize light patterns?

A. No.

Q. What is the dimension of the Greehouse Hood/Reflector?

A. 16"x19"x10"

5. Grow Lights Lamp Questions

Q. Are HID lights efficient?

A. Yes. They are very efficient when compared to standard incandescent bulbs such as those found in your home. One 1000 watt sodium bulb produces as much light as about 87 standard 100 watt incandescent bulbs.

Q. What is the expected life span of the standard bulbs you include with the 1000watt switchable system?

A. You can expect the 1000W HPS lamp to last about 24,000 hours and the 1000W MH lamp to last about 18,000 hours.

Q. Can the HPS 200W system use the MH "conversion" bulb?

A. Yes. You can use the MH conversion bulb with that ballast. The conversion bulb is made to run on an HPS ballast system but emits the whiter Metal Halide light.

Q. What are the lumen ratings of the included bulbs?

A. 1000W HPS has 140,000 lumens; 600W HPS has 95,000 lumens; 400W HPS has 50,000 lumens; 1000W MH has 110,000 lumens; 400W MH has 36,000 lumens

Q. The MH bulb I received seems to be broken as I can hear glass fragments inside the bulb. The bulb, however, still works. Is something wrong?

A. Actually, the industry standard allows for some shards of glass to be loose in HID lamps. This sometimes happens during the production stage but does not affect the operation of the lamp.

Q. How do I calculate the BTU's for a specific unit?

A. The standard calculation is 3.41 BTU's per watt. Calculate as follows: for a 1000W lamp--1000W x 3.41 BTU's = 3410 BTU's

Q. Will the Hortilux 940 conversion bulb work in the 1000W MH system?

A. We do not recommend using the 940W bulb on our switchable system. Our goal in offering the switchable system is to offer the most effective lighting at a lower cost. Using the switchable system with the appropriate bulbs eliminates the need to use the much higher price conversion bulb.

Q. How many lumens does the 600W HPS produce?

A. A 600W HPS produces 900,000 initial lumens and 81,000 mean lumens at 2100K.

6. Questions on Grow Light Accessories

Q. Does the air vent fitting come with a rubber hose?

A. No. A 4" metal dryer vent hose and clamps will function nicely.

Q. What is the diameter of the vent?

A. The vent is 4.5" square by 1.5" deep.

Q. Would you use only the tempered glass while using the MH bulb?

A. You can use the tempered glass with both the MH and the HPS bulbs.

Q. What is the wattage of the cooling fan?

A. The cooling fan wattage is 15W.

Q. What is the function of the MH Glass accessory?

A. The MH glass accessory is tempered glass designed to protect the MH lamp from blowing out all over your garden. Occasionally, the large lamps crack. The glass fits over the entire spread of the reflector keeping glass from dropping on the garden.

Q. What is the function of the Air Vent Fitting?

A. The Air Vent Fitting serves to blow cooler air onto the lamp to keep it cool while it is on. The Air Vent Fitting is hooked onto both sides of the reflector, typically along with a hose. You can then either have air vent from the outside or attach a blower.

Q. Does the glass for the hood just slide into the hood?

A. Yes. The glass slides into the bottom of the hood.

Q. Does the Air Vent Fitting adapt to a hose so that I can vent heat to the outside?

A. Yes. The Air Vent Fitting is designed to work with a hose.

Q. Is the glass necessary with the venting?

A. The glass will help enclose the venting system to blow air through the reflector.

Q. How do you control the heat build up between the glass and the bulb?

A. There are a couple of ways to do this. You can order the fan adapter for the illuminator hood. This installs into the hood directly without the use of the vent adapters. If you use the tempered glass you should definitely use the vent adapters. With the vent adapters you will need to hook up a hose and duct fan to blow air through the reflector.

Q. Do you also sell exhaust fans for these lights?

A. We do not sell exhaust fans for the lights.

Q. What are the dimensions of the Tempered Glass Accessory?

A. 19"x15 5/8"

7. Grow Lights Packaging, Ordering and Shipping Questions

Q. Are local pick-ups available?

A. Local pick-ups are not available. You may place the order on the internet or by fax or telephone.

Q. Do you have additional discounts or reduced shipping for orders of multiple units?

A. Yes. We offer discounts for orders of multiple units. The discount depends on the number of units ordered so email us and we will respond with a quote.

Q. How do I confirm which systems you have in stock?

A. All displayed items on our site are in stock unless otherwise specified.

Q. I would like to order a new system. How do I know that the wrong people will not get my information?

A. Please follow this link to learn more about us: http://www.accessdiscounts.us/info-yahoo.html

If you have any questions please contact us. I hope that your confidence in us will increase and you will be able to join the thousands of other Access Discounts satisfied customers. We will be glad to help you.

Q. How much will my shipping charges be?

A. Shipping and handling are calculated by using standard UPS rates plus a small additional handling fee. Just enter your shipping information (State and Zip) after you checkout in order to calculate the exact shipping rate. (Note that your order will not be placed until you confirm the order on the confirmation page after you have entered your shipping and billing information).

Q. Will you send a new lamp if one breaks during shipping?

A. If you order a system and a lamp breaks during shipping we will send you a new lamp and file a claim with UPS.

Q. Do your systems ship in retail boxes identifying the manufacturer and the product for retail purposes?

A. In order to keep shipping and packaging costs to a minimum, all systems are shipped in unmarked brown packaging without any manufacturer's markings.