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Hydroponic Lighting

Light is essential for plant photosynthesis and growth. Natural sunlight provides the best light but can be supplemented with artificial lighting. The most efficient artificial lighting options are LEDs, CFLs, and T5 fluorescent tubes, which provide moderate to high intensity lighting while using less energy than HID grow lights. Different light spectra, intensities, photoperiods, and temperatures can be manipulated to optimize plant growth and flowering.

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Mallikarjun Rao
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98 views8 pages

Hydroponic Lighting

Light is essential for plant photosynthesis and growth. Natural sunlight provides the best light but can be supplemented with artificial lighting. The most efficient artificial lighting options are LEDs, CFLs, and T5 fluorescent tubes, which provide moderate to high intensity lighting while using less energy than HID grow lights. Different light spectra, intensities, photoperiods, and temperatures can be manipulated to optimize plant growth and flowering.

Uploaded by

Mallikarjun Rao
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lighting

Illuminating thoughts on natural


and artificial lighting
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Plants use light energy to create
Carbs, like Glucose, that keep the
plant alive
• Light(energy) + CO2 + H2O = Carbs + O2
• Efficiency generally tied to Energy
• Intensity (irradiance)
• There’s a limit
• Wavelength
• Temperature (can effect eff.)

The Purpose of Light


Sunlight seems to work well but:
• Can be difficult at home
• Try to find South-facing
windows, East and West-facing
are 2nd best
• Even a little sunlight is much
The Sun better than none
• We can supplement with
artificial lighting

What’s the Best Lighting for Hydroponics?


T-5 – High Output Fluorescent (T-8, T-12)
• Moderate Intensity
• Low Energy Consumption, Low Heat Generation
CFL – Compact Fluorescent Lights • Moderate Expense, Longer life than CFL
• Less Intense
• Low Energy Consumption
• Low Heat Generation LED – Light Emitting Diodes
• Inexpensive • Low Intensity
• Low Energy Consumption
• Low Heat
• Expensive

Induction Lighting
• New in Hydroponics World
HID – High Intensity Discharge • High Intensity
• Very Intense • Low Energy Consumption
• High Energy Consumption • Low Heat Generation
• High Heat Generation • Very Expensive
• Expensive • Unproven

Artificial Lighting
Types of Grow Lights
PHOTOPERIOD – The Amount of light
needed by plants during various
phases of growth

We can manipulate lighting schedules


to maximize production

Flowering plants use a pigment called


Phytochrome to “sense” seasonal
changes and trigger flowering

Plants can be divided into:


• Long Day
• Short Day Timing
• Neutral Day
“Blue” Light
• Shorter wavelength (400 – 500nm)
• “Cool” 5000K +
• Promotes vegetative growth

“Red” Light
• Longer wavelength (600nm + )
• “Hot” 2700K – 3000K
• Promotes vegetative growth

Green light is generally unused

Guidance
Fini

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