Grow Lights & Light Bulbs for Hydroponics

Grow Light Bulbs

Hydroponics is a modern hydroculture discipline that involves the use of grow light bulbs to provide energy requirements in indoor setups. There are various types of grow light bulbs, each with their own pros and cons. Additionally, they have varying power requirements you should meet to maximise their lifetime and light output. So stock up on hydroponic supplies like bulbs to achieve maximum yield with zero downtime.

HPS grow light bulbs work by charging a high-pressure arc tube that contains sodium, mercury, and xenon. The high-pressure equates to high-efficiency, and these types of lamps can output 80 to 140 lumens per watt. Bulb life varies, but these typically last 24,000 hours. These bulbs are popular amongst hydroponics enthusiasts and farmers because they generate the best yields. HPS bulbs are also best for achieving tight node spacing so you can better maximise the area of your indoor setup.

CFL grow light bulbs are typically used in hydroponic gardens when the plants reach their vegetative growth stage because it provides uniform light dispersal, meaning that every part of the plants under the fixture receives equal amounts of light. Getting the best coverage during vegetative growth ensures a greater chance of success in the flowering and fruiting stages, and it generally equates to high yields and crop quality. They are low cost, high-efficiency and emit negligible heat so you can place them extremely close to your plants without burning them.

As the newest technology in indoor gardening lights, LED lamps are paving the way to even higher efficiency for indoor setups. Many growers shift from CFL to LED because of their lower heat signature, higher lamp life and customised spectral output that's favourable to plants. They come at a high upfront cost, however, but they pay for themselves over time as you only need to replace them every 10 years or so. LED grow lights also vary widely in design, with some circular in shape. You can arrange them in such a way that every plant gets enough light, even in large indoor setups.