One of the essential aspects of growing plants and having a decent yield is the correct amount of lighting. The manufacturers of hydroponic growing equipment have created a wide range of grow light systems that meet the unique requirements of various plants grown inside. 

The general lighting requirements will vary depending upon the specific plant, the plant growth area, and the closeness of the light source. One of the most critical considerations to give a plant is the general lighting level for optimal health and growth. There are a number of household plants that will not require as much light as others. Consider how little light a fern needs compared to that of some culinary herbs. And of course, there are those plants such as orchids and other flowering plants which need the optimal amount of light. Several observations have shown that most indoor growers tend to use too little light for their indoor grow rooms as they try to use too large of an area. It is important to truly understand the importance of adequate lighting in a smaller area to produce a much better effect on the plants. 

 

Fluorescent Lighting 

Fluorescent lighting is one of the best options for smaller-scale gardens and the production of cuttings and seedlings. One of the more suitable lamps for larger plants is the T-5 fluorescent light, which equals the PAR value to a Metal Halide light. You will need to keep these close to all sides of the plants. However, they will produce incredible specimens with short internode distances if the plants are not too large. The T-5 lights are best used for vegetable producing plants. 

 

High-Intensity Discharge Lighting 

Many plants need as much light as humanly possible. 

A high-intensity discharge light can give them that satisfaction. HID lighting has made huge improvements in the last several years in the design of the lamp and reflector and is a general plug and play application for the casual home grower. There are two designs of HID lighting, those with integrated ballasts and remote ballasts. The one featuring a remote ballast design has the advantage of the lightweight reflector being hung from the ceiling. At the same time, the integrated design requires the heavy ballast to be suspended from the ceiling. 

Additionally, HID lighting features two basic types – High-Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide. The metal halide lighting features a unique blue and white light that is best for overall plant growth. At the same time, the High-Pressure Sodium lighting offers a unique red hue and is designed for the fruiting or flowering period of a plant. Both types of HID lighting are suitable for growers who may alternate between the two depending upon the cycle of the crop. However, there is a newer design of the Sodium lamps, which are available in the “PLANTA” or “ARGRO” range, which can provide the necessary lighting for the entire growth cycle of the plant and are becoming one of the most popular choices among professional growers. 

HID lights are available to purchase wattages from 250 up to 1000 and higher. The lamp provides the maximum light output. The watts that are used to the amount of lumens is 600 watt sodium lamps that are able to produce 92,000 lumens. 

 

Reflector 

It is essential to use the proper lamp to generate an adequate amount of light, it is also necessary to ensure the light is properly directed on the plants to ensure little waste. The design of the reflector is going to play a key role in this area. It is essential to have a well-designed reflector to minimize the amount of waste in wattage. Many of the reflectors available in the market have been designed through the use of computers and other advanced techniques. In fact, these designs have been used to maximize the number of reflections on the plants and enhance the life of the lamp. 

 

Light Movers 

In addition to the advances of light reflectors, rail systems have been improved to ensure that the proper light exposure to the furthest plants goes the distance. A rail system known as the Light Rail 3.5 has been one of the best solutions in the improvement of light utilization and should be considered for anyone involved in a rectangular growing area. This particular device used a 6-foot rail and was designed with a precision-engineered carrier that will move the light back and forth throughout the growing area. The Light Rail 3.5 system features a number of advantages, including the ability to cover a larger area and ensure that all plants receive the same amount of lighting. 

Additionally, it will eliminate the need to move plants around for adequate exposures to light and unnecessary shadows, providing uniform plant growth. Additionally, it is able to provide a closer exposure of lights to the plants without the possibility of burning the foliage. There are a number of systems that move the light in a circular pattern. These are better suited for square growth rooms. Some of these systems will allow a combination of lighting featuring the Metal Halide Lamp attached to one arm and the High-Pressure Sodium on the other. In some situations, you may see different ceramic bulbs attached to separate arms allowing for variations in colour temperatures. These unique bulb combinations allow for a full spectrum when mixed through a rotating or circular light mover. 

 

Reflected Light

Having reflective surfaces surrounding the growing area have the ability to make a difference in the overall amount of light that the plants will receive. Having poor reflectivity of the surface surrounding the plant diminishes the amount of light as the surface absorbs the vast majority of light. However, it is actually quite easy to ensure that there is a highly reflective surface surrounding the plants in the grow room. One of the simplest ways to do this is by painting the walls with flat white paint. If this is not an easy possibility, the walls can then be covered with either a black or white plastic film. One of the best reflecting surfaces is the use of Polystyrene foam sheeting. You may want to use brilliant white vinyl for the floor as this has the best reflective properties. Not only is this a rather resilient material, it offers an incredible reflecting surface. Finally, you may decide to use Mylar, which is actually one of the most reflective materials available and has the ability to reflect 92% of the light in which it receives. 

 

Timers 

To have your lighted system automatically turn on and off, you’ll need the use of an efficient timer. By installing a timer with your lighting system you ensure that all of your plants are exposed to light when the unit is switched on. By ensuring your plants have uninterrupted and reliable lighting, you are ensuring high-quality growth possibilities. You will want to avoid using non-grounded plug-in timers as these have a higher chance of failure, which will disrupt the flowering cycles in a number of plants. 

 

Power Consumption 

One other factor you must consider is power consumption while focusing on the general financial aspects of your project. However, do not let the thought of added cost affect you from this project as the costs are rather small. 

As a beginner, you will want to consider the overall power requirements as well as the financial needs to avoid disruptions and issues later on. 

 

General Warning 

You do want to keep in mind that grow rooms have the habit of being human and damp. It is essential that all electrical equipment and accessories be properly located to avoid any possibility of contact with water. It is best to seek out the assistance of a licensed electrician when installing an electrical system for your grow room.