A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Preferred grow lights.

Currently I'm using a gro and show light from GE to grow my (hydroponic) kale. Since this light does not have the scope necessary for the planned aquaponic system I'm going to buy florescent lights to hang over the system. Now are there any suggestions, for a cheep, alternative?

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by AJ Grottke on February 22, 2011 at 9:04pm

Well first of all what is the size of your growing area, and what plants will you be growing?

Permalink Reply by Eric Warwick on February 23, 2011 at 12:14am

I forgot that's how it worked, anyways the growing area will be about equivalent to a one car garage. (however the plan is that it be as compact as possible) The grow area I'm currently using (for my hydroponics) is a small unused bathroom. The plants I'll grow won't be fruiting unless I need to have them to filter nitrates. (i.e.: lettuce crops)

AJ Grottke said:

Well first of all what is the size of your growing area, and what plants will you be growing?

Permalink Reply by AJ Grottke on February 23, 2011 at 8:36am

Well, im actually going to need square footage of the actual growbed space for example, 4'x8' or 3'x'12'. But if it is a whole garage you will most likely want HID's. Also what is the temp like in your garage for each season?

Permalink Reply by Eric Warwick on February 23, 2011 at 11:54am

OK, let me estimate as I'm not there. maybe around 30in*6in ( 180in squared) to 36in*7in (252in squared) However this may change because of cost and for lighting there may be vertical growing. Again a most likely bad estimate but go with it. (maybe)

Permalink Reply by LogicalHydro on February 24, 2011 at 5:28pm

Eric,

For such small growing areas you could probably manage with T5 HO fluorescents. They aren't that cheap, but they tend to be cheaper than HID's. Your growing areas seem to be long and skinny so 4' T5's should work well. You won't get the same yield as HID's, but they will be cheaper.

@AJ Grottke, I just bought a 4'x4' flood table to help filter my tank a little better. I am thinking of using 1000 watts on it, but I don't know. Is that overkill?