8 Things You Must Look Before Choosing a Grow Light Bulb

For hydroponic plants which are just a few weeks old, the grow light bulbs are the best alternative to provide light favorable to their natural environment. When the fruits and vegetables are in an early stage they do not require large lighting systems, the bulbs are enough to fulfill their growing needs. The basic advantages of using bulbs and lamps for the flourishing hydroponics are –

1. Availability of Right Wavelength of Light

2. High Durability

3. Low Energy Consumption

4. Compactness

5. Stimulating the Growth

The light bulbs definitely have a lot of benefits but choosing the right light for the hydroponic plants can be a tricky part for the growers. The wide range of the brands and models in the market can puzzle the buyers. Starting your plantation with the wrong type of lighting or bulb can fritter away your hard work as the hydroponic plants will not grow to their maximum quality.

The most crucial factors to consider before choosing hydroponic light bulbs are –

Material and the Quality

One of the major characteristics you should consider is the material from which the grow light lamp or bulb is made. If the bulb is manufactured from high-quality material you do not have to make any changes in your lighting for a longer time. Choose from brands like Philips, Eurolux, Sunmaster, Grolux, Osram, Lumii and Sunblaster as they have maintained a high standard in their products from years and most of them use superior components in the production of bulbs.

Brand Reputation

There is a huge diversity in the number of brands present in the market but not all are providing the same quality. The prices for various models of the bulb are almost equal; therefore, what matters the most is the brand’s image and the time for which it has persisted in the market.

Power Consumption And Production

On an average, the bulb you purchase for your hydroponic plants will run for eight to ten hours in a day consequently increasing the electricity bill.

At the time you are shopping bulbs it is vital to read the product description carefully to save yourself from future troubles. Check the units it gives as total output. The bulbs that give a higher output and consume lesser electricity are the best.

Low Heat Dissipation

When the bulbs dissipate a high level of heat and are placed nearby the hydroponic plants you can have two possibilities- either the bulbs will blow away before their average rated life or plants will absorb the heat. It’s better to place your hydroponic plants at a distance from the bulbs and choose the bulbs that have low heat dissipation.

Which plants do you want to grow?

The light bulb you choose should also be compatible with the plant’s requirements. Almost all the lamps and bulbs will work the same way yet there are grow light lamp and bulb models manufactured to comply with the specific needs of some plants.

The wavelength required for the growth differs according to the plant’s variety and the lifecycle stage of the hydroponic plant.

The Growing Space

The room you are using to keep your hydroponic plants will help you decide the number and size of bulbs appropriate for plantation.

The first step towards determining the quantity of bulbs you need per square feet is measuring your room or growing space. Example for tomatoes 32 watts per square feet is obligatory while lettuce has low light requirement and grows well in 10-20 watt bulbs per feet.

Simple to Handle and Flexibility

On some occasions, you will need to change the position of the lamp to adjust to the different stages during the growth. High-quality bulbs are simple to handle as they do not take much time in the positioning and will easily fix in the sockets.

Choosing bulbs that do not get damaged on refitting or changing is also important.

Warranty or Money Back Guarantee

Most of the bulb brands have at least one year of warranty and a few dedicated sellers also have a return policy under which you can get your money back if the bulb does not work. There is a fixed time for which the return policy is valid therefore buy bulbs from a vendor who either gives a warranty or money back policy that lasts for a longer time.

These were some resourceful tips you can follow to choose a bulb for your hydroponic plants. You can also save some extra pennies during the course of the plantation with the grow lights bulbs on sale.