the plants. At the heart of the system is the Phantom
ballast, which includes a high-precision micropro-
cessor and premium RF shielding. The Phantom
Series features an all-in-one design for maximum
strength and optimal heat management. The reflec-
tor insert is easily interchangeable and there are a
variety of reflector options available, including the
Open Reflector, Enclosed Reflector, and the Super
Deep Reflector. The Phantom DE Series includes a
USB interface for full compatibility with the Autopi-
lot PX1 Digital Lighting Controller. Many Phantom
DE Lighting Systems are available with a dimmable
option (750W and 1000W) and multiple voltage op-
tions.
Independent Testing Proves Phantom DE
Systems Consistently Outperform
To prove it had created the most efficient dou-
ble-ended lighting system available to horticulturists,
Hydrofarm hired a third-party testing laboratory.
Independent Testing Laboratories, Inc. (ITL Boulder)
is the most experienced independent photometric
testing lab in North America. The test compared
eight of the most popular commercially available
double-ended horticultural lighting systems. Based
on the test results generated by Independent Test-
ing Laboratories, Hydrofarm’s Phantom DE Open
Lighting System and Phantom DE Enclosed Lighting
System were ranked first and second place, respec-
tively. There were a total of five testing categories:
relative efficiency, total micromole output, micro-
moles per watt, absolute luminous flux, and lumens
per watt.
The Phantom DE fixtures placed first and sec-
ond in all five categories. The Phantom DE fixtures
8
also produced more plant usable photons per watt
consumed, required fewer fixtures to meet desired
micromole levels and had the lowest operating cost
of any double-ended horticultural lighting system
available. Put another way, the Phantom DE Light-
ing Systems offer the highest efficiency of any of the
tested double-ended lighting systems.
Reflector Options for the Phantom DE
Series
What makes a lighting system great is not just
the bulb and ballast, but the material the reflector is
made from and how the reflector is configured. All
Phantom reflectors are made from a multi-layered
European hammer-tone reflective material. The ut-
most quality of this material ensures a higher level
of light reflectivity and overall longevity.
The Hydrofarm staff understands that having the
right tool for the job makes all the difference. That’s
why it has multiple reflector options for the Phan-
tom DE series.
Open DE Reflector
This basic, but bold, reflector directs light en-
ergy to the canopy below. It is ideal for small-sized
gardens or for large commercial spaces when mul-
tiple fixtures are used in footprint cross-patterns.
The Phantom DE Open Lighting System is designed
to uniformly deliver optimal PAR value over a broad
footprint.
Enclosed DE Reflector
The Enclosed DE Reflector was specifically de-
signed to concentrate the high output of DE lamps
in a standard, traditional spread. The Enclosed DE
www.GardenandGreenhouse.net
November 2017