| A great indoor garden requires a good grow light. It | | | | important that the lighting solution you chose for |
| could mean the difference between success and | | | | your garden is adequate for its size. A poor or ill |
| failure. Having the right hydroponic light is the | | | | advised decision would certainly reflect on the quality |
| single-most important and costly decision in setting up | | | | of plants you produced. Inappropriate budgeting like |
| your garden. | | | | cost cutting specially on lighting would just prove to |
| Hydroponic grow lights come in three main types: | | | | be uneconomical and inefficient in the long run. |
| | | | | A general rule for lighting that area coverage is |
| Incandescent lights | | | | determined by a light wattage output. Reflectors |
| These are the usual lights found in homes. They are | | | | might be used to increase the light area and reach |
| generally a poor choice for garden grown lights | | | | corners but effectiveness is still determined by this |
| because of their limited light spectrum and | | | | formula. |
| inefficiency. | | | | Day and Night Cycles |
| HID (High Intensity Discharge) grow lights | | | | The type of plant and its stage of growth generally |
| Producing more light (up to 10x more lumens/watt | | | | determine the amount of light needed. A common |
| than an incandescent light),are more efficient. | | | | cycle is that with 18 hours of light and 6 hours of |
| Drawbacks would be, they produce more heat, | | | | darkness which is recommended for its vegetative |
| generally more expensive than incandescent lights | | | | growth phase. |
| and requires the additional expense and maintenance | | | | For seedlings, a continuous light source is needed until |
| with ballast. It takes around 100 hours before | | | | the first real leaves appear. When the leaves appear, |
| hydroponic HID grow lights reach their optimum | | | | the regular 18/6 light cycle is used. Fluorescent or |
| working conditions, or until they reach light intensity | | | | incandescent lights are best for seedling because of |
| and color stability. | | | | the low heat and soft light they generate. |
| Natural Sunlight | | | | Automated timers maybe used to ensure consistent |
| Expense for acquiring artificial lights can be skipped by | | | | light cycles. Inexpensive timers are also available; this |
| using sunlight. This is done with the use of solar | | | | can be found any hardware or Home Depot/ |
| room, greenhouse or large windows which allows | | | | Lowe’s type store. |
| plenty of sunlight. Or you can do this outdoors; | | | | Light and Photosynthesis |
| hydroponics does not necessarily mean the cultivation | | | | The plants exposure to light intensity, duration and |
| of plants indoors but it growing plants without the | | | | light color directly affects the amount of energy |
| use of soil. | | | | needed for photosynthesis. The color of the light, |
| Basic setup for an indoor garden is 1000w of lighting | | | | Blue simulates the summer sun, Orange for autumn |
| for and area of 16-25 square feet of plant area. | | | | seem to stimulate photosynthesis best. The light |
| Reflectors and/or light movers should also be | | | | spectrum produced by metal halide bulbs (Blue lights) |
| considered as they improve efficiency of the indoor | | | | and high pressure sodium bulbs (red/ orange lights) |
| hydroponic gardening system. Ballast may also be | | | | produce this effects. HID grow lights produce these |
| needed as numerous hydroponic grow lighting require | | | | effects owing to their popularity to hobbyist and |
| igniting. | | | | professionals. Combination of metal halide and high |
| Some Basic Facts | | | | pressure sodium bulbs provides the complete |
| Before plugging in your grow light | | | | spectrum of light produced by the sun. |
| Different plants require different levels or types of | | | | Use Caution When Working with Lights |
| lighting, this paragraph would deal on some simple | | | | The combination of water, electricity and chemicals in |
| know-how on how to make an effective lighting | | | | such a closed-in space makes the grow room one of |
| setup. In setting up your garden, it is essential that | | | | the most dangerous places in your house. Keep in |
| you determine your growing area in order to | | | | mind to separate your ballast by elevating it from the |
| determine the best lighting setup for you. Light is an | | | | water-containing areas of your hydroponic growing |
| essential factor in the growth of plants, it is | | | | system. |