MH still the gold standard for growing plants?

IUnknown

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Jan 23, 2005
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I've recently got back into the hobby and wanted to give LED light a try. Besides not being able to grow red plants well or light strips that have a disco effect that looks unnatural, can LED systems compete with Metal Halides? I know LED's can grow plants, but does it do as good of a job as Metal Halides?
 
Mar 20, 2013
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LEDs can get red plants red if the spectrum is balanced. If the LED does not include supplementary red LEDs or include red phosphors, then the red spectra will be low and unable to induce anthocyanin production.


Most white LEDs are 450nm blue LEDs with a yellow phosphor. This results in light that looks too yellow because of the low cyan-green and red spectra. Also, the lack of violet light makes different shades of white indiscernible.


So if you want to try LEDs and want good color rendition and red plants that will grow red, then a custom spectrum is necessary. Only BML (their stock aquarium fixtures have poor color rendition) and DIY will get you the results you want.