If you have an interior hydroponics set up then it is likely that you will need grow lights to give your plants the light then need. Naturally choosing the right type of grow light will be important but it is also vital that you understand the amount of coverage your grow lights are likely to provide and how the light they produce will affect your plants.
Your choice of grow lights will be based on the types of plants you are growing although your budget will also pay an important part in the decision. You will also want to consider the type of lamp you are installing and the spectral output they provide in relation to the plant’s growth stage.
The size of your hydroponic growing area will determine the wattage of your lamps you are likely to want in your grow room. This is because the further your plants are from your light source, the less light they will be able to receive and subsequently the amount of growth they will be able to achieve.
Grow Room Size/Grow Light Wattage:
- Eight by eight foot area = 1000W
- Six by six foot area = 600W
- Five by five foot area = 400W
- Three by three foot area = 250W
- Two by two foot area =150-175W
- One and a half foot by one and a half foot area = 100W
These wattages are provided just as a guide and it is worth remembering that if you have a larger growing area and require more powerful lighting that an effective ballast should be included in your system. Also bear in mind that more lights mean more heat so that you will also want to consider fans or extraction units to ensure that your plants are not scorched and a suitable growing temperature is maintained.