LED Grow Lights Vs. Metal Halide

Both LED (light emitting diode) and metal halide grow lights offer several benefits to the consumers that choose to employ them to encourage plant growth.

Life

Both types of grow lights are some of the longest lasting light bulbs on the market. LEDs can last for up to 50,000 hours while metal halide light bulbs can last for up to 15,000 hours.

Light Intensity

Lumens are used to measure a light source's light output intensity. According to ToolBase.org, LEDs produce up to 20 lumens per watt of power used. A 250-watt metal halide light bulb can produce up to 58 lumens per watt of power used.

Color

ACF Greenhouses recognizes that blue light from the visible light spectrum promotes vegetative plant growth. Red light from the visible light spectrum promotes flowering. Metal halide lights emit bluish-white light which is ideal for vegetative growth while LEDs are available in a wider variety of colors making them ideal for all stages of plant growth.

Size

Metal halide light bulbs are available in many sizes and wattages while LEDs are only available in small, 1/4-inch bulbs. However, clustering several LEDs together greatly increases their applications.

Mercury

Unlike LEDs, metal halide light bulbs contain elemental mercury which is a toxic substance. One 250-watt metal halide light bulb can contain up to 38 mg of elemental mercury.

References

• "ACF Greenhouses: Indoor Plant Growth"
• "Dark Sky Society: Metal Halide vs. High-Pressure Sodium"
• "Tool Base Services: LED Lighting"