The Best Grow Lights for Your Hydroponics Setup
Choosing the best grow lights for your hydroponics setup will depend on many different factors. They all have their advantages, and which type of lighting you choose will largely depend on your personal preferences. The best grow lights for hydroponics will also vary depending on your specific setup and plant growing conditions.
LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are very popular in indoor gardens because they are very energy efficient, putting out much more light per watt than traditional lighting options. LED grow lights for hydroponics are not as expensive as some people may like to think, and they are one of the more affordable options.
If you plan on using a single planter, an LED light for hydroponics should give you enough light to comfortably grow three to four plants, depending on the type of plant you want to grow. There are some hydroponics kits on the market that have high-intensity light systems included. Typically, these lights will give you enough light to keep more than one plant alive at any time, so you may need to look into some more intensive lighting options for growing spaces with many plants.
The advantages of LED lights for hydroponics systems
The most significant advantage to LEDs is their energy efficiency, and this is why some people choose them over regular incandescent bulbs. LEDs use only one-third of the energy that incandescent light bulbs use, so they cost less money to run and use less energy in the long run. This is especially important for indoor gardeners because it saves them from running large energy bills and is also more eco-friendly.
Some of the other factors to consider when choosing the best grow lights for your hydroponics setup are the type of plants you want to grow at home, the size of your indoor garden, and how much light you need. Indoor gardeners can use any LED grow light, but some gardeners need to use specific kinds of light that provide the correct colour spectrum for their chosen crops.
Some plant species prefer red, blue, or green in differing proportions, but these colours can sometimes be too harsh for plant health, especially if the plant is delicate. Indoor gardeners can also go with a yellow or white colour spectrum for a more natural effect.
Some LED lights have been designed especially for use in hydroponics systems, but they tend to be more expensive than other types of lights. LED lights may work best with crops that need a long growing season as you will be able to run them for extended periods without them getting hot or burning out too soon.
One type of plant that can benefit from the help of an LED grow light with a colour spectrum similar to that of the sun's rays is the phalaenopsis (also called the moth orchid), which is native to parts of Asia. This plant is known for its ability to grow slowly because most species reproduce in the winter. Having said this, most plants will appreciate the benefits of LED grow lights over other kinds of lighting.
You can find this lighting option for sale on Amazon and other online marketplaces. You need to find a reputable seller of hydroponics equipment and decide which option is best for you. Quality models of this lighting type can be purchased for around £150 or less, depending on where you look.
Growing plants using electric lighting can be expensive if you are not careful. It is good to know that using LED lights with a natural colour spectrum can help you save money on electric bill costs while giving your plants the best light for their growing phases.
If you grow greens and flowers primarily, you will want to purchase a grow light with a reasonable amount of wattage to ensure that you supply your plants with enough lighting to support their growth. You can find out the specific lighting requirements of your chosen plant species by researching online or asking other experienced hydroponic gardeners for advice.
Resources:
Hydroponics - about.meGrow Shop - Ameba OwndHydroponic System - American Preparatory SchoolsLED Grow Lights - DiasporaGrow Lights - Dovetail Learning