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deficient luminosity is one of the worst stressors for indoor plants . Poor plant life lighting can cause stems to load or skimpy , leave to become off - people of colour or misshapen , or increment to stop altogether . The good tidings is that contribute a grow light can help . A full - spectrum grow twinkle replicates the timber of raw sunlight , giving indoor plant what they need to efficiently perform photosynthesis and feed themselves .
A few dissimilar case of lights can be used to make grow luminousness , but the most monetary value - effective model are made with light - utter diodes or light-emitting diode . Spread - mode light-emitting diode grow lights are the most pop contour among professional person and serious indoor - plant enthusiast . In these fixture , hundreds of light-emitting diode are mounted on a individual jury that is edged with a reflective edge to throw away a liberal , intense , and consistent light below . Anyone who necessitate to light up a growing space larger than about 1 square ft will want to conceive this type of firing .
Photo: Mark Wolfe
Since 2009,Mars Hydrohas been a leading supplier of grow lighting and indoor originate provision . In addition to its lighting equipment , it offer up a full range of grow collapsible shelter , external respiration systems , drip outfit , hydroponic systems , smart horticulture technology , and more . I recently tested theMars Hydro TS1000LED grow light on my own houseplant collection .
For a calendar month , the TS1000 served as the only light beginning for seven of my bright - light plants . In the critique ahead , I ’ll detail my experience using this pro - quality mature light . I ’ll also divvy up why I cerebrate it ’s a good time value for anyone starting seedling for the garden , overwintering industrial plant that spend the warmer months outdoors , growing hydroponic veg , or simply give care for a few houseplants . In fact , it topped BobVila.com ’s list of 10 of thebest LED grow lights .
Mars Hydro TS1000 Dimmable 150W LED Grow Light: At a Glance
Rating:9.2/10
PROS
CONS
Get the Mars Hydro LED grow light at :
What is the Mars Hydro LED grow light?
The Mars Hydro TS1000 is a spread - panache LED acquire Christ Within that can be mark up almost anywhere . It comes equip with 354 full - spectrum LEDs and an angled ruminative housing . At a distance of 18 in , it has a photosynthetic photon magnetic flux density ( PPFD ) rating of 743 micromoles / m2 / s. Biologists often habituate PPFD to measure light intensity in terms of the light-headed thatindoor plantswill actually soak up . PPFD measures the compactness of brightness distributed per straightforward meter per second . The higher the PPFD , the more good the light should be .
Light necessity change for different plant - lifespan degree . seedling only postulate humiliated - volume light between 100 and 200 micromoles / m2 / s , while plants in the vegetative growth point need a PPFD range from 200 to 500 . blossoming and fruiting plants require the most easy , at least 500 to 600 for optimum carrying into action . The high PPFD turnout and adjustability of the Mars Hydro grow light admit for a wide chain of flexibility for growing all types and ages of plants .
Its brightness measured 6,528 foot wax light at 18 inches . That ’s enough twinkle to cover 6.25 square feet for plants in the flowering and fruiting stage , or 9 square feet for vegetative growth . It also offers daisy - range of mountains functionality , permit users to power as many as 15 of the TS1000s with a single 15 - amp electric electrical outlet .
Photo: Mark Wolfe
This mellow - efficiency light draws just 150 Watt of electrical energy and boasts a lifespan rating of 50,000 time of day ( 11.4 years at 12 hour per solar day ) . An internal heat profligacy system of rules reject the need for a cooling fan , so it control silently . The TS1000 light gore step 11 column inch by 14 in and librate 4.9 pounds . It rise overhead via two locking ratchet block with 8 groundwork of paracord on each .
To give theMars Hydro TS1000 grow lightits chance to radiate , I prove it in the saturnine box of my cellar with a accumulation of cacti and succulent that have high light requirements . I hung the visible light from two nails driven into the expose story joists above , with a heavy plant stand below it to accommodate the nine 6 - column inch potted plants spaced about one per square fundament . Once everything was set up , I plugged into a timekeeper so the light would automatically operate 12 hour a day , adjusted the height of the light to 12 inches above the leafage of my tallest plant , and place the dimmer at 80 per centum .
How easy is the Mars Hydro TS1000 to set up?
I was able-bodied to flow the light by myself by place it on the plant outdoor stage , adjusting the cords to their full duration on the ratchet pulleys , and cop the pulleys to the nails . Then I simply pulled the strings to elevate and level off the light to the required tiptop . The ratchet movement was a little rough , but with a slow , stiff motion , one sink in at a time , it arrive out level . Then I plugged the timer into a received wall outlet .
Raising the light was relatively gentle , but adjust the light height downwardly was more difficult . I had to climb the run and release the lockup mechanism on each pulley with one paw while controlling the cord with the opposite helping hand . It ’s possible to mount the scheme with the pulleys at the bottom , but upward adjustments would be more awkward in that configuration .
The on / off and dimmer control were easy to reach and operate on top of the caparison . Although I only tested a individual light , shopper concerned in the daisy - chain function will need to take note that the whole daisy chain can be handily controlled using the dimmer on the first igniter in the chain .
Photo: Mark Wolfe
Is the Mars Hydro TS1000 grow light good quality?
My plants in the moody basement thrived in the twinkle of the TS1000 . I started the test in previous winter as the plant had completed a semi - inactive flow and appear seasonally tired and off - colour . Over the class of the tryout month , with a twosome of program of fertilizer , they perked up nicely .
As a comparison , I kept another group of cacti and succulent in my greenhouse with rude sunlight , and they transitioned very likewise . The foliation on both set of plants became more vibrant and buds began to swell , indicating new growth on the agency . The light-emitting diode glow a very uniform light strength from bound to edge across the entire raise control surface , which led to resolution like to what was attain with raw sunlight .
Is the Mars Hydro TS1000 worth the money?
At a regular toll ranging from about $ 130 to $ 150 , the Mars Hydro TS1000 is a undecomposed buy . There are other full - spectrum LED grow lights on the market place with standardized output ratings at slightly grim prices , but they do n’t offer as much in footing of comfort station and quality . With the consistence of its light step from edge to border , its dimmability and daisy - chain functionality , and overall ease of enjoyment charter into account , the TS1000 is definitely deserving the money .
Is the Mars Hydro TS1000 LED grow light right for you?
produce a wide footmark of consistently acute full - spectrum light , theMars Hydro TS1000is always a nifty choice for indoor plants , but it might not be right for every buyer . Since it requires overhead climb points , users must dedicate to put in ceiling hook or building some form of framework from which to suspend the unit . For those who involve a grow spark that will look great in their bread and butter room , the industrial appearance of this one may not fit .
But in terms of a highly operative , budget - favorable , easy - to - use raise light for all kinds of indoor gardening , the TS1000 fit the bill . It delivers pro - prize dimmable kindling to support sprouting , vegetative increase , blossoming , and fruiting , and it ’s built to last for many age .
Where to Buy the Mars Hydro TS1000 LED Grow Light
Get the Mars Hydro TS1000 LED grow light at :
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author and product examiner with a background signal in the nursery and landscaping diligence . For more than 20 year he mowed , edge , found , trim , cultivated , irrigated , and renovated beautiful landscape . Now he tests and writes reviews about the belated outdoor world power equipment , hand tool , lawn - care intersection , and other out-of-door - living commodity .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few potbelly on your terrace , a raised bed , or an in - land secret plan out back — and select the ripe plants for your land and neighborhood .
Photo: Mark Wolfe
Photo: Mark Wolfe