1000W Double Ended MH Comparison Test
Hey everyone , Nate from GrowersHouse. In this 1000W double ended metal halide (DE MH) shootout, we put the two main players head-to-head: the Nanolux MaxPar and SolisTek. The goal was to compare spectral distribution, overall intensity, and UV output so growers can make a smarter choice for their fixtures and growth phase.
Quick context: metal halide is a type of HID (high-intensity discharge) grow lighting, so what we’re really dialing in here is how these DE MH lamps compare for spectrum and usable intensity in real grow conditions.
What We Tested
- Wattage: 1000W double ended metal halide (DE MH)
- Brands: Nanolux MaxPar vs SolisTek
- Kelvin options discussed:
When we say “Kelvin,” we’re talking about the color temperature of the measured light energy. Higher Kelvin trends toward the blue end of the spectrum, while lower Kelvin trends toward the red end.
Bulb Design: The “Outer Jacket” Safety Difference
If you look at the two lamps side-by-side, they’re noticeably different. The Nanolux MaxPar includes an outer jacket—a borosilicate glass layer over the quartz. This is a newer, patent-pending approach intended to add an extra layer of protection, since metal halide lamps can fail violently in rare cases.
The SolisTek DE MH lamp doesn’t use an outer jacket. When we spoke with SolisTek, they said their lamp is designed to be safe to use even without that extra jacket.
Most of the “safety” conversation comes down to open-rated fixtures (no glass lens) versus closed fixtures (a sealed design with glass—like many air-cooled reflectors). We ran both bulbs in both styles. Both companies state their lamps can be used in either open or enclosed DE setups—they just approach the design differently.
Side-by-Side Photo: SolisTek vs Nanolux MaxPar
How 4K vs 6K vs 10K Plays Out in a Grow
- 4K DE MH: a “one bulb fits most” option—solid for veg and still usable for flowering.
- 6K DE MH: dedicated veg spectrum with more blue—often preferred for tighter internodal spacing and fuller vegetative structure.
- 10K DE MH Finisher (SolisTek): recommended for the last two weeks of flowering because it pushes higher UV. The idea is a controlled “good stress” response that can encourage more essential oil production.
One important note: if you measure a 10K finisher with a standard PAR meter, it can appear lower intensity than 4K/6K or even HPS because a lot of its energy is pushed outside the 400–700 nm PAR window—especially into the UV range.
Spectral Results: 4K Comparison
Looking at the spectral charts, the 4K bulbs are extremely close. You’ll see small differences where one lamp edges the other at certain peaks, but overall these are very evenly matched for a 4,000 Kelvin DE MH spectrum.
Spectral Results: 6K Comparison
The 6K charts also show strong similarity, but the peaks shift a bit. MaxPar peaks slightly higher around ~590 nm, while SolisTek is a touch higher in some of the lower blue peaks. On the far-left side (roughly 350–400 nm), SolisTek is slightly higher in UV, though the overall charts still look very close.
Spectral Results: SolisTek 10K Finisher
With the SolisTek 10K, the difference is obvious where you’d expect it: the UV region (350–400 nm) is much higher than the 6K. That’s the point of this lamp—it’s built as a finishing bulb with elevated UV output.
Measured Output: UV Intensity vs PAR Intensity
We measured both overall PAR (400–700 nm) and UV intensity. The UV readings aligned with what the spectral charts showed: the 10K Finisher sits well above the rest in UV, while the 4K and 6K lamps are closer together.
| Lamp | Kelvin | UV Intensity (µmol) | PAR Intensity (µmol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SolisTek DE MH | 4K | ~26 | 1106 |
| Nanolux MaxPar DE MH | 4K | 23 | 1120 |
| SolisTek DE MH | 6K | ~26 | 950 |
| Nanolux MaxPar DE MH | 6K | 21 | 1052 |
| SolisTek DE MH “Finisher” | 10K | 43 | 925 |
Results Summary: What Matters Most for Hydroponic Growers
- 4K spectrum: very closely matched between SolisTek and MaxPar.
- 6K spectrum: still very similar overall, with small peak shifts (each lamp slightly leads in different spots).
- UV output: SolisTek measured a bit higher in UV in this test, and the 10K was far above the rest.
- PAR intensity: MaxPar measured slightly higher PAR overall—especially noticeable in the 6K readings.
- 10K tradeoff: lower PAR reading is expected because more output is pushed outside 400–700 nm, especially into UV.
Conclusion: Choosing the Best 1000W DE MH for Your Operation
Here’s the bottom line from our DE MH comparison test: both SolisTek and Nanolux MaxPar perform very similarly in spectrum, and both can be used in essentially any double ended fixture in the market right now.
If you’re prioritizing slightly higher PAR intensity, MaxPar had the edge in our readings—particularly with the 6K. If your strategy includes UV as a finishing lever, SolisTek’s 10K Finisher clearly stands apart. And if the added outer-jacket approach is important to your risk management—especially in open-rated reflectors—that’s a unique MaxPar design feature worth considering.
Either way, these findings should help you select the right DE MH lamp based on spectrum, intensity, and how you want to use UV in your grow.
Happy Growing!