August 09, 2021
Ceramic metal halide lights are the ideal way to vegetate while using an HPS system, but finding a product that works well for you and your needs can be a bit confusing. Reviews across the web vary pretty greatly on individual products.
Power drain compared to the size of the grow and the room is the biggest concern when dealing with any kind of HPS system, so we need to factor this in when determining the best products for a grow. However, unlike a lot of HPS systems, a CMH doesn’t produce very much heat, so it does open up the option of spending more on lighting and less on ventilation.
Mostly, HPS systems are best for medium-sized grows where ventilation and other heating issues are accounted for within the setup. With this in mind let’s take a look at what we think are the best products on the market at the moment for CMH grow lights.
Spectrum
The CMH light spectrum combines the red-heavy HPS spectrum with the blue-heavy MH spectrum in one bulb, making it the perfect light for all stages of growth.
With a high CRI, it is extremely close to natural sunlight, which is great for your plants and for your eyes (plants look more natural, making it easier to spot any discolorations or other issues).
Efficiency
Ceramic metal halide gives you a much higher PAR (the amount of light that is usable by plants) per watt than any other type of lighting, apart from the most expensive LED fixtures.
UV Light
The CMH light spectrum also contains UV light of all types. Since UV-C light is harmful, the lamps use a glass filter to block that range.
This leaves only UV-A and UV-B light, which many feels is beneficial to yield quality. There is no need for supplemental UV lights when using CMH grow lights for indoor growing.
Lower Heat
CMH grow lights run much cooler than their MH and HPS counterparts. This reduces (or eliminates) the need for additional cooling equipment. They run hotter than light-emitting diode lights, though.
Long Lifespan
CMH bulbs last much longer than other HID or fluorescent lights. The standard rule of thumb for HPS or MH bulbs is to replace them after 10,000 hours of use. Good ceramic MH bulbs last over 20,000 hours.
Moreover, they still retain 80% or more of their initial light output after 20,000 hours. HPS and MH lamps deteriorate much more quickly.
ECO Farm CMH 315W Grow Light Fixture Reflector Enclosed Kit
Features:
The ECO Farm 315W CMH grow light kit is an efficient ballast grow light combo that is actually fairly low priced as well, it loses some points due to the light spread being a bit less stellar than advertised, but is a solid choice for those working within a budget. This is a decently designed ballast and reflector combo. The spectrum provided by the 315w ceramic discharge metal halide growth lamp kit is closer to natural sunlight than a typical high-intensity discharge (HID) system. The coverage area is 4 feet * 4 feet. Means greater harvest and lower cost. Finally, only a simple action can raise and lower the lamp. Locking mechanism 1/8" cord that can withstand up to 75 pounds of tension (150 pounds total)
DLI CRI Series 315w Grow Light
Features:
The DLI CRI-Series 315W DE fixture is made to grow plants. The output of the DLI CRI-Series 315W CMH fixture can not be adjusted. It can only be set to on/off and to the controller setting. By using the DLM-4 Zone Controller the fixture can be remotely switched and adjusted. The bulbs are super-efficient, with the red model producing 1.9 umol per watt and the blue producing 1.7 umol per watt — The highest efficiency SE lamp currently available. CMH lamps produce a spectrum that’s close to the sun’s spectrum at a high altitude. The extra UV produced by the lamp will add quality to your crop. As a standalone fixture, you should use red lamps throughout the flower over a footprint of 1m x 1m per fixture.
EYE Hortilux CMH 315W Grow Light System
Features:
The new EYE HORTILUX CMH 315 Grow Light System takes the next step for grow light systems. The short, compact reflector design maximizes light with 8% more light hitting the canopy and 30% more uniform light than the competition. The EYE HORTILUX CMH 315 Grow Light System includes a reflector that is easy to replace. After several grow cycles, system reflectors get dirty and sometimes scratched from cleaning. Having a reflector replacement schedule helps maintain consistent plant quality and high yields. Replacing a reflector in the CMH 315 does not require purchasing an entirely new system. This system will not accept Mogul Base lamps or CMH lamps that are not rated for open fixture use. Carefully install the lamp into the socket by inserting pins into matching-shaped holes in the socket and turning the lamp to right (clockwise). When the lamp is properly installed, the base will stop turning.
CMH lights are a great choice for those looking to advance past the heat of an old-school HPS system without giving up the brightness. However, there are quite a few things to consider before jumping into a major purchase like this.
Reflectors
A CMH bulb without a reflector will still produce the same amount of light, but it won’t spread to where you want it to well and mostly go to waste. Reflector designs vary when combatting this, but we look for the ones that have a limited amount of leakage.
We want a reflector that aims the light directly downwards, towards the plants. A good reflector will cover multiple plants, even up to 4–5 when made correctly. We look for systems that have a well-made reflector due to this, as a single CMH system should be able to handle a medium-sized grow easily with massive yields as a result.
Dimming
Different ballasts ask for more power versus lifespan out of a bulb. Depending on the size of your grow you should go for one that emphasizes brightness versus one that allows for adjustability in the wattage being produced by the bulb.
There’s a diminishing return with brightness where the size of the plant might not be worth the power drain. Generally, smaller grows of 3 plants don’t need the full brightness these lamps can produce.
In those cases, it’s good to look into a system that allows for dimming, as you’ll save money in the long run on purchasing a replacement. Furthermore, seedlings and smaller vegetating plants don’t need or even want the full power of these bulbs.
In these cases, the lamp has to either be dimmed or moved away. Dimming being preferable as the electrical cost and lifespan of the bulb can be spared.
With the above extensive review of CMH lights, we hope that you will know what to look out for when you are thinking of the kind of lighting system you want for your grow room. The lights are energy-efficient, they produce less heat per watt and their light spread is good. They are most suitable for the flowering and vegetative stages of crop growth and their lifespans depend on the models and wattage. Some of the lights come with great a UV light, which protects your crops from any harm.
April 13, 2021
What is the CMH (Ceramic Metal Halide) grow lights?
Also known as, LEC or Light Emitting Ceramic, the popularity of CMH is catching up with any weed growers because of the efficiency of the light, which is especially good for crop photosynthesis. CMH grow lights also go by the name Ceramic Discharge Metal Halide (CDM), the lights use ceramic technology and they have the qualities of metal halide and HPS grow lights.
The lights use ceramic arc tubes very similar to the tubes in HPS grow lights. They also operate at much higher pressures than the quartz tubes glass tubes of metal halide grow lights. CMH grow lights, just like all other grow lights, come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Before we review some of the best CMH grow lights in the market and below are detailed buying guidelines for ten of them but before that, below are the reasons why you should switch to chm grow lights.
(Advantages/Pros?)
Why should you start using/switch to CMH grow lights?
The grow lights competition is one of the stiffest for indoor weed growers. For you to get the best results out of your crops, you need to keep up with the latest technology and do away with the old. CMH is one of the latest grow light technologies taking the weed growing market by storm.
Before you decide on whether you want to change to this new technology and give your crops better service, it is good to understand what makes hem a popular choice for many growers and what the downsides are.
Nanolux CMH 630W Double Lamp Fixture
CMH lamps have a very broad light spectrum which is more similar to the sun itself than any other form of HID lamp. Nanolux has taken CMH technology and increased its operational efficiency, making the most comprehensive spectrum of light output for an HID fixture even better. The CMH lamps also have increased efficiency in PAR/Watt compared to other forms of HID lighting. The CMH fixture can be used as a primary veg light or a supplemental full spectrum light.
HID technology gets even better with light output that is the closest to natural sunlight that money can buy! The Nanolux CMH 630W Double Lamp Fixture is winning over commercial growers because of its high-quality spectrum and energy-efficient design. This double ceramic metal halide has superior AR/Watt efficiency compared to other types of HID lighting. Bulbs NOT included.
Benefits:
• Fully sealed, commercial-duty ballast
• Lightweight, with cool operation
• 97% reflectivity
• Excellent for large operations that need light overlap
• Precise wireless computer control with NCCS APP (Nanolux cloud control system)
• ETL listed
ECO FARM CMH 630W DOUBLE ENDED GROW LIGHT FIXTURE ENCLOSED KIT
630W CMH Enclosed reflector: Size:24" Long x 12.5" Wide x 12" High, 16AWG/3C SJTW 1200V 6–15P Plug cord, L=16FT, Suitable for PHILIPS GreenPower CDM-T Elite Agro 315W Lamps
630W Digital Ballast: Case size: 273.5* 178* 110mm (10.76'’ * 7.00'’ * 4.30'’), Super cute and light, Input: 120~240V or 240V / 50~60Hz, End of Lamp Life(EOL)Protection, Short circuit protection, Open circuit protection, Ignition failure protection, Thermal protection
315w CMH (3100K) bulb: High 1.95 PPF per second light source 3100k color temperature, High 92cri, 33,000 initial lumens (105Lm/W) , High 90% lumen maintenance at 8,000 hr / High 85%, Expected Life Span (hr): 20,000 ,Unique Open Rated Lamp construction reduces radiant heat from the arc tube
Low heat, close to the sun light, could replace traditional 600W 1000W grow light kit and 300w 600w 1000w grow light kit, the CMH fixture can be used as a primary veg light; a primary light for SOG applications; or a supplemental full spectrum light for large flowering operations.
Easy hang up
Reinforced Metal Internal Gears Ratchets, Loose-proof Design,
8-ft Long & 150lbs Weight Capacity
CMH 315W bulbs
High 1.95 PPF per second light source , 3100k color temperature.
High 92cri, 33,000 initial lumens (105Lm/W) , High 90% lumen maintenance at 8,000 hr / High 85%E
xpected Life Span (hr): 20,000
Ceramic PGZ18 lamp socket
PGZ18 lamp holder
Suitable for PHILIPS GreenPower CDM-T Elite Agro 315W Lamps
High-Reflectivity Aluminum Hood
High-Reflective and durable Aluminum used for the light hood
Unit has an excellent light reflective rating of 98%
GROWER’S CHOICE 630W DUAL BULB CMH KIT
Product Description
The newly redesigned Grower’s Choice NS Double Ended fixture is boasting the famous Grower’s Choice Spectrum that was horticulturally engineered to replicate and harness the forceful penetrating power of the sun.
The new Grower’s Choice Horticultural CMH Lighting Fixture GC-630NS offers ultimate control of spectral output with two horizontally placed lamps that allows the ability to mix spectrums for an optimal full phase broad spectrum that will let all your specialty flowering plants reach their maximum potential.
Grower’s Choice 630W NS Double Ended Ceramic Metal Halide Grow Lamp Fixture comes with Low Frequency Square Wave Technology for Indoor Grow for plants.
This fixture is controller compatible, it can work with the Grower’s Choice controller.
The unit rated main voltage:120V/240V.
277V and 480V commercial grade voltage is availble for pre-orders.
This unit is ETL Listed, United States Federal NRC Licensed,UL Pending.
Fixture: 23*15*17 inch
Display Weight :28 lbs
Shipping Weight: 50lbs
1*630W NS Complete Fixture
1*315W 3KR and 1*315W 3K Lamp for this listing.
April 12, 2021
Advantages of CMH grow lights
Broad spectrum
This is the first winning point of CMH over HIDs light. CMH bulbs have much a wider and more consistent spectrum.
So besides having enough light intensity, plants also love to have sufficient light colors/quality to have their best growth potential.
More UV rays
Under high pressure, CMH bulbs can produce powerful light output that contains Ultraviolets (UV) like the sun.
These UVs include UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, especially UV-B which is really helpful for plant growth, overall all 3 types of UV are harmful to human eyes.
So you should not look at the bulbs directly for a long period. And most good CMH brands use a protective glass filter to block harmful UV types.
Durable
Since they are built with ceramic arc tubes, CMH grow lights have a great lifespan of up to 20,000 hours. But reality shows that they can last longer than that. This is more than double the average lasting hours of HPS and MH bulbs.
Choose CMH if:
You need to maximize ROI in within 1–2 years
You need greater canopy penetration for the strains you are growing
Need the beneficial UV spectrum for maximum terpene resin production
Need to maximize your gram per watt and flower quality
Qualify for state rebates
LUMii Solar 630w CDM Full Fixture Grow Light
The LUMII Solar 630W CDM Fixture is a complete fixture that powers 2 x 315W Ceramic Discharge Metal-Halide lamps (CDM) that will give your plants the best possible spectrum of light. Providing the most natural light akin to sunlight the unit the full fixture unit is suitable for 2 x Lumii Solar GRO or Lumii Solar PRO CDM Lamps.
Full Fixture — ballast & reflector
State of the art ballast technology, including soft start
Ideal as both supplementary and standalone lighting
Extremely high PAR levels
Highly efficient
Short Circuit Protection
Voltage — 240v
Amps -5.25/2.63
Dimensions: 59.5cm x 25cm x 26cm
Weight: 6.2Kg
What are the LUMii Solar 630w CDM Grow Lights used for?
These are extremely powerful light fixture which is able to emit high levels of PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). These fixtures feature ceramic discharge metal halide lamps which are fitted with a ceramic arc tube. Also, this allows your lamp to operate at higher temperatures. Likewise, when the ballast ignites the lamp is then able to emit a fuller spectrum of light, increasing plants growth and development.
Furthermore, this fixture is also able to reflect high levels of light down towards your plants, whilst spreading the light evenly using the polished, dimpled reflector.
Where can you use the LUMii Solar 630w CDM Grow Lights?
This fixture is specifically for use within indoor growing environments. It perfect for growers looking to mimic natural sunshine, allowing plants to grow the best they can. Therefore, you may want to invest in some rope ratchets or jack chain to suspend the fixture securely from your grow room ceiling.
How to use the LUMii Solar 630w CDM Grow Lights
To use this start by hanging the fixture within the centre of your room at an appropriate height. When screwing your lamp into the reflector, it is important that you do not touch the glass of the lamp. Instead, hold the lamp with a clean cloth and make sure you screw it in securely. Likewise, if you do not screw the lamp in tightly you can cause the solder inside the fixture to melt and damage your fixture.
After that, connect the input lead of the reflector to the output lead of your ballast. It is important that the wattage of your lamp is the same wattage as your ballast. Connect the mains plugin and turn on your ballast, this should start up your bulb.
SunPlix 630W Double Ended CMH Grow Light Fixture
SunPlix CMH-1000R double ended (DE) high quality open reflector is made of high reflective material. It is designed to meet or exceed the expectation of high end growers.
High Reflective Material:
This material is based on advanced coating systems. The reflector has a balanced high reflective rate of 90%-98% from 380nm to 800nm.
The systems are applied to an electrochemically brightened high purity aluminium substrate coil, and start with an anodized base coat which gives a hard support to minimize abrasion damages. The coil is then treated under vacuum with specially developed processes to maximize coating adhesion and is vacuum coated with a super pure reflection layer of 99.9% pure silver.
Design:
The reflector is designed to minimize reflections inside to reduce light/energy loss and provides even light spread.
The reflector is designed to reduce the height and minimize the heat downwards so plants can have more room to grow.