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How to choose the best CMH grow light?

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How to choose the best CMH grow light?

What Is A Ceramic Metal Halide Grow Light?

First, let’s clear up a point of confusion. I’m sure you’ve seen (even just in this article), several different terms and abbreviations. Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH), Light Emitting Ceramic (LEC) and Ceramic Discharge Metal Halide (CDM) all refer to the same thing. CMH is the most common term.

Another point of confusion concerns their relationship to metal halide lights. CMH bulbs are a variation of MH bulbs, but they are quite different. Instead of using a quartz tube, they use a ceramic tube (more here), similar to an HPS bulb.

This allows a higher arc tube temperature, which in turn allows a better mix of gases to produce a more optimal spectrum (more on this below in the sections comparing CMH to MH and HPS). The light produced by a CMH bulb is much closer to natural sunlight than either MH or HPS (with a CRI of 96). It is, for practical purposes, a perfect combination of MH and HPS in a single bulb.

Comparison of CMH and Other Grow Lights

 

 

 

CMH vs. MH

Some people assume that ceramic metal halide and metal halide are the same but they are completely different. They however share the same technology but their constructions are different. You cannot use a CMH bulb in MH ballast and vice versa, CMH has a better light spectrum and it runs cooler than a MH light. Lifespans for the MH bulb are also shorter than those of a CMH bulb. MH is also more affordable than CMH.

 

CMH vs. HPS

CMH and HPS feature the same bulb technology but with very slight differences. When it comes to effectiveness, HPS are a notch higher than CMH. Most of the PAR light from HPS lights is provided by the red lights whereas CMH grow lights provide a more balanced PAR for the flowering and vegetative phases of growth.

When it comes to efficiency, CMH are better than HPS lights and they have longer lifespans. Cost wise, HPS lights are more affordable than chm lights and they are better for the flowering phase.

 

CMH vs. LED

LED lights have more advantages over CMH lights in that they are more energy efficient and they produce very low heat. You can place LED lights near the crops without the fear of them overheating while you have to be more careful about the distance between CMH lights and the crops. LEDs also have longer operating times as compared to CMH lights but they are more expensive.

CMH lights on the other hand are more affordable and have lower usable life times as compared to LED lights. LED lights come in different categories and there are more products in the market with factual descriptions from their manufacturers than there are with CMH lights. LEDs also have a better light coverage and you can use them for all growing phases of the crop.

 

Which CMH grow light should you buy?

Eco Farm CMH 315W Enclosed Kit

 

 

If you are on a budget, the CMH fixture from Eco Farm is a great choice.

It uses the quality 315W Phillips Master CMH, which is really strong and stable. It still has all the important components of a great CMH system that are ready to work once powered on. However, unlike the Sunsystem has a ballast inside the reflector, Eco Farm ballast is placed externally. And personally, I find this doesn't make the fixture design look good.

Also, it does not give a specific figure about the reflective aluminum. But this is not a concern to me or lots of growers.

Lots of users have used this fixture and enjoyed good results with it. So really a good inexpensive CMH fixture to get.

Eco Farm 315W CMH delivers a light spectrum that is very close to the natural sunlight. It is better than hid systems when it comes to light discharge. The fact that it efficiently operates at higher temperatures, crops get more natural light, which in turn leads to higher, and more quality yields. The light covers an area of 4×4, which also ensures you get a larger harvest. For the flowering phase of the crop growth, the light helps with more bloom using the enhanced reds.

It is also as good for the vegetative stage as it is for the flowering stage. The light has a lifespan of 10,000 hours, which is much less than that of many other CMH lights. The package includes a reflector, a 315W ballast, lamp, a heavy duty 1/8 inches rope hanger, a power code and metal hooks.

Why it is a good buy

Has low power consumption making it an energy efficiency lighting system

Good for both vegetative and flowering stages

Comes with a rope hanger

Has a reflector application

Affordable

Hydro Crunch CMH o2-315 Rope Ceramic Metal Halide

 

 

 

Crops need a good spread of lighting for them to grow healthy and yield much. The above 315W CMH grow light provides full spectrum light that allows your MARIJUANA to get optimal lighting during their vegetative and flowering stages. The light generates less heat than MIH and HPS lights.

The light closely matches that of natural sunlight meaning it is safe for the crops. Hydro crunch 315 w coverage areas is 3×3, which leads to higher harvests with low costs. The package comes with ballast, reflector, and an adjustable light ratchet hanger. The light also includes a daisy chainable feature with a two-year warranty on the ballast.

Why it is a good buy

Comes with a two year ballast warranty

Full spectrum light

Energy efficiency

Affordable

Comes with a reflector

Comes with a ratchet hanger

Ideal for vegetative and flowering stages

All in One-Sun system LEC 315 light Emitting Ceramic Metal Halide

 

 

 

The sun system CMH light bulb is far the most popular ceramic metal halide in the market with very few other bulbs coming close to match its quality. Though this makes it also more expensive than many other competing lights, it is worth the price. The light comes with everything your plants need for proper lighting.

It is easy to use too because all you need to do is plug it in and start to grow your weed. The light comes with an all in one reflector. It also contains the right ballast needed to power its lamp. The bulb hangs vertically and is lighter than horizontally hang bulbs. The reflective material is German aluminium with 98% reflection and the corners of the material are 95% reflective.

The highly reflective material ensures that your crops get light uniformity and optimal output without losing any light. The coverage area of the bulb is 4×4. It is ideal for the vegetative and flowering stages of the crop growth and it comes with a one-year warranty

 

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