CMH lighting

[Rozilla]

Hello!

Has anyone had experience with CMH lights in an orchid grow room? I wrote a long message in the beginners forum I didn’t realize there were all of these more specific forums at first.

[estación seca]

I replied to your original message. I used them during winter for 3 winters. That was before there were other, better options. I still have my lights and I haven't used them in over years.

[Rozilla]

I would love to do led but honestly I just can’t afford it do you think the uv rays will be damaging to the plants?

[estación seca]

I would be surprised to see comparable LEDs costing more than a metal halide setup. Read through other posts for some recommendations. The cost savings in electricity with LEDs Is so large they are very soon much less expensive. The UV is good for the plants. When calculating costs think of the cost of burning down your house, or medical care for a third degree burn.

[Dimples]

Choosing a CMH would not be the way I’d go for a setup in my home. The risk isn’t worth any perceived cost savings and any additional benefits, like the added heat in the winter, can be remedied with other, still low cost, much safer alternatives. You also have to think about the added heat in the summer. I haven’t lived somewhere with a basement since I was a child, but heat rises and AC for the above ground floors costs money to run!

UV isn’t required to grow healthy plants. Outside we deal with it. No reason to bring it inside on purpose.

[Clawhammer]

I have a basement growroom and I exclusively use LED and my biggest issue is still heat in the summer. I have to run a costly A/C for a few months. CMH would be significantly worse, perhaps impossible.

[Rozilla]

What leds are you using could you show me a photo possibly?

[Clawhammer]

These are what I'm using on the racks.. Its almost too much light for cattleya. There may be better options, I bought these 4 years ago

Amazon.com

I have a few lower light solutions for phals, paphs and phrags

The ones in the middle are MARS HYDRO TS-1000

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

[wisdomseeker]

I glanced over all the responses from both of your posts. They were good responses (trying to steer you in the right direction).

I've used ceramic metal halides in years past, with good results. LED's have progressed so much over the years (with both quality & efficiency). I would not even consider using CMH or HPS again, unless they were absolutely the only source of light I had to work with. There are some remarkable LED products available for indoor growers. Many have excellent CRI's and great spectrum. Clawhammer provided a good option that will not break most budgets.

[Rozilla]

So when I went to the hydro store I was quite taken back as the cheapest leds they had were 1000$. After doing some more research last night I decided to purchase the vivosun vs1500. I hope it works well! Thank you everyone for your responses and help.