If you want to start growing plants indoors with minimal investment, HPS Grow Lights might be your best option.

High Pressure Sodium grow lights cost a fraction of the investment of LED grow lighting systems, but provide adequate light spectrum for all the budding and flowering in a plant. HPS Grow Systems work best when used in conjunction with Metal Halide Grow Lights with offer the spectrum needed for growth. There are also Dual Grow Lights Ballast that will run a HPS bulb and a Grow Metal Halide Bulb. They are ideal for growing starters and seedlings, which probably aren’t worth the hundred of so dollar investment of an LED Grow Light, unless you have a more extensive operation.

Keep in mind that HPS bulbs need to be changed every 10,000 hours to remain effective or so depending on how often you use them. The grow bulbs performance declines while still appearing to work, so even if a bulb still seems to function, it may be missing its optimal performance and your plants will suffer.

When changed, HPS light bulbs need to be disposed of properly. They contain a contaminating level of mercury that can seep into water tables and harm the environment. Used lights should be sent to a proper recycling facility. Some cities offer special recycling programs where light bulbs as well as computers and other electronics can be properly disposed of.

When using HPS lighting, you should also be wary of heating. Unlike CFL Grow Lights, HPS lights do produce a lot of heat, although they shouldn’t damage the plants provided they are an adequate distance away – a foot or so should be sufficient. Lights arranged too close to the plants will prematurely age the leaves and dry out the soil, just as if they had gotten too much harsh sunlight outdoors during the summer.

Improved electromagnetic and electronic ballasts can improve the lights efficiency by 12 to 15 percent. If you are going to grow with HPS lights, newer lights with higher efficiencies enrich your plants while saving on your electric bill.

HPS grow lights are a good place to start if you want to give indoor plant growing a try. The investment of LED lights take a more serious commitment, one you might not be willing to make if you are just trying your first indoor garden. For simple indoor gardening efforts, HPS grow lighting offers your plants adequate light without a lot of expensive equipment to buy. You don’t need a limousine of an LED light if you are simply going around the block.

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