Are you fond of buying products that are new in the market and not yet proven to be effective? Just like marijuana growers who bought LEC lights. It’s one of the numbers of equipment for reduced cost and better yields. Words are just easily said but putting it into action doesn’t happen with just a snap of a finger.
People are convinced to buy LEC because it has a natural light spectrum and increased lumens per watt which would result in improved yields. It sounds so good but you must know what you’re getting into.
The High and Low of Cannabis Lights
Light is the essential ingredient of photosynthesis needed by plants including Cannabis. The usual types used by growers are divided into four types called MH or metal halide, CFLs or fluorescent grow lights, HPS or high-pressure sodium, and LED or light-emitting diodes.
CFL is commonly used by growers who only tend to a few plants. It produces an average amount of light that can nourish the seedlings up to the harvest period. The growing environment you set for your plants will be in optimal condition with this light. You can easily buy it from hardware stores.
CFL’s performance can be labeled as moderate and its life span is sporadic as it is a standard household light. If you can afford better types of light, you can change it during flowering time. The light coming from it won’t help you get the maximum yield.
MH and HPS lights are used by both commercial growers and hobbyists alike. MH favors your plants during flowering while HPS is great for vegetation. The concentration of their function differs but the one thing in common is the high utility cost. Both of them work for an impressive yield but they seem old-fashioned compared to the new lights available in the market.
The new light you can buy these days is LED. It’s almost everywhere, not just in marijuana plantations. It bears all the light spectrum of the lights that are mentioned above. But the best part is that it’s not heat generated and the running cost is low. As you can see the advantages of using LEDs, it’s no wonder that it became the grower’s choice.
What Exactly are LEC Lights?
LEC lights are also known as CMH or ceramic metal halide. The words have pretty much the same meaning. Knowledge of lighting technology has improved so it came to a point that terms became interchangeable.
The ceramic arc tube is used in LEC rather than quartz found in MH lights. This kind of tube progressed into a more natural color. That’s why there’s an increased lumen per watt and it can last longer than expected.
The most well-known version of LEC is called 315W in a 4200K-color bulb. So it joins a tight competition with LED. But as you know LED has already won people’s sympathy. What is there left to prove for LEC when it comes to nurturing marijuana plants?
PROS of LEC Lights
Due to recent development on lights applied on LEC, it can give off more natural-looking light. With this attribute, you will see the natural hue of your marijuana plants in the entire life cycle. It may sound like it’s only a whim that gives you excitement but it can contribute a lot to how you nurture your plants.
By the good quality of light from LEC, you will be able to look closely at your plant’s progress and even issues or problems that can affect their health. For instance, you would easily detect if there’s a change of color.
To get an idea of the light that LEC gives, it’s best to describe first the hues that you can detect from LED and HPS. It’s purple from LED and very yellow from HPS. What LEDs can deliver is unique as it gives UVB rays which can improve the trichome production that occurs during the flowering phase.
You can expect an increase in yield. But the rate of the increase is not yet clear and it’s still being speculated. There are other two advantages which are the long life span and the plug-and-play feature. Some manufacturers promote their product to last for two years which makes it better than other light fixtures except LED.
CONS of LEC Lights
Nothing is perfect so LEC lights are not an exemption. To start with the cons, UVB rays may be beneficial in developing trichomes which is the best part of the buds. But this kind of light is harmful to humans so you have to wear safety gear when checking your plants. You have to protect your skin and eyes from it.
The outstanding performance of LEC for the development of buds is undeniable. When it comes to a reality check, the setup cost of this light is high. Buying one LEC light means spending on two pieces of traditional light like CFL. In terms of operation cost, it’s in the middle of the HPS and LED lights.
Although it’s from the advancement of technology, it surprisingly gives off heat. It’s just less than MH or HPS lights and it allows cooling options and sufficient airflow. So you will be obliged to buy ventilation equipment which means adding more on expenses.
You will also need to consider the positioning of LEC compared with HPS. LEC doesn’t have a similar intensity with HPS so you may have to place it closer to your marijuana plants. Another you have to weigh in is the obstruction between the plants and the LEC lights. You must know that glass blocks UVB rays.
Sum it Up
You are now aware of the pros and cons of using LEC lights. First, you have to go over the necessary steps that you need to take when you use them for your plants. Prepare on how you’ll protect yourself from UVB rays. It’s also needed that you check your budget so you would know you can afford to buy it and its utility charge.
