Hortilux Super Blue HPS/MH Combo...

[higherthanamile]

Yes, it's true. A single bulb that combines HPS and MH bulbs in one.

Though I'm out of the cultivating game since my Wife found out she was pregnant last November, my interest in what's available for the best results hasn't waned.

Had some questions put to me by a new grower about what lights are best for their situation, and happened upon this....

'The EYE SUPER BLUE lamp features the extraordinary power of Super HPS and the balanced spectrum of Hortilux Blue in one bulb! The benefits of Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium together: vigorous growth, accelerated development, and hearty flowering! The lamp’s unmatched energy spectrum provides the optimum light for plant growth through the entire growth cycle.

Exclusive Iwasaki chemistry and global lighting technology combines to deliver 110,000 initial lumens. The LU1000MH/HTL/EN lamp is in an E25 jacket, which will conveniently fit in all 1000-Watt fixtures. This lamp operates on standard ANSI S52 ballast, for use on 1000-Watt High Pressure Sodium systems.

The HORTILUX™ LU1000MH/HTL/EN lamp is environmentally friendly in that it passes EPA, TCLP test criteria as nonhazardous waste. The LU1000MH/HTL/EN lamps are completely lead free and contain less mercury than standard HPS lamps.'

Two bulbs, one ballast, optimum results.

HTAM

[Cerebro]

How sweet is that!
It's good to have options like that available.
Do you know the price?

[higherthanamile]

Locally, it is about 230-250 USD. Feedback from the guy I spoke with face to face about it is exceptionally positive. If you figure the additional cost of buying a separate ballast, etc. to run whatever bulb you may need, it becomes clear pretty quickly that you might want to consider this new bulb anyway. An HPS alone is at least 1/2 the price of this new Super Blue, or was the last time I bought one.


HTAM

[Cerebro]

I suppose the thing is a 400HPS does the job pretty well by itself.
The MH is great for veg, but i'd still want a few extra HPS to take advantage of the extra growth.
I think it would be great for an area requiring 800w ie 400HPS/MH + 400HPS.
Just my 2c.
I think it's a great way to bring MH to more ppl.

[koshiva]

I've used the Hortilux and the standard Hps, being Philips/GE etc...and I can say that if there is a difference it is marginal. The hortilux bulbs are claimed to have more light in the 'blue' part of the spectrum which is good/better for vege, but when it comes to flowering I am not so sure all that extra blue as compared to regular HPS bulbs is as beneficial. While some blue is good for flowering its gotta be a question of percentage over the whole spectrum as to what exactly is the best configuration of blue vs red/orange. It may also be that altering the spectrum during flowering, perhaps at the end may have beneficial results.

For someone who wants to use one bulb and one ballast to fulfill the needs of both vegetive and flowering growth then the Hortilux may be the way to go. While regular Hps can 'vege' very nicely on its own, the metal halide is a much better option for vege and among other things helps keep internodal lengths short and growth lush. The Hortilux I suppose is in the middle of the range and so more suited to both tasks but for optimen results the metal halide for vege, then regular HPS for flowering is a good approach.

I am so often sceptical about companies claims about their products. Often it is the case that their products suck as compared to competitor products when you actually test them for yourself. There are always several factors to take into account when choosing which ever approach to use and bulb longevity is one such consideration. Some brands just burn quicker and end up useing more power for less lumens/watt. So while Brand A may be cheaper, it may cost more to run.

these have been out for a while. The only reason to use one would be if you had a straight to flower room. Otherwise it's pretty pointless. You're using 1000w of power, but you're not getting 1000w of penetration. Since they make MH lamps for HPS fixtures, and viceversa, I'd much rather use separate 1000w MH & HPS lamps for maximum results.