Avid fans of hydroponic growing often design a special grow room in order to cater to the cultivation of several plants. This can be from the size of a closet to the size of a greenhouse. It takes some planning, time and money to create a dedicated farming space, but if done well, it can pay off in the end.
Among the decisions that have to be made when designing a grow room are how much space you require; how many plants can comfortably grow in that space; how to arrange for proper ventilation, insulation, plumbing, and electricity; how much lighting you need; and what form of hydroponic system you will use in the space. Depending on your level of expertise in these fields, you might want to get some professional assistance with design and building. Your hydroponics retailer should be able to advise you on what you need.
Plants need different forms of lighting at various phases of growth; good thing that artificial lighting is already available. Determining the number and types of grow lights and the amount of wattage is also needed when designing your grow room. Also, timers may be a wonderful solution to replicate day/night cycles for the plants. You will need to ascertain that your electrical system in your grow room can keep up with the load. An electrical panel that can handle 200 amps or more is most suitable. 120-volt outlets may be able to handle tiny spaces, but 240-volt outlets are better. Be sure you refer to your electrician for issues like this. To save on energy costs and maximize lighting, line your walls with reflective material like mylar or white plastic.
Ventilation is another important factor to consider when designing your room. Plants “breathe” carbon dioxide – in a short period of time, they can rapidly absorb all the carbon dioxide in the room. Without sufficient access to fresh air, plants can’t function well, and eventually die. The more plants you have, the better-ventilated the room should be. A good ventilating system is essential so you can give your grow rooms plenty of fresh air. Oscillating fans will also help stir the air just as wind does, assisting in both air flow and temperature control. You may also consider installing a carbon dioxide injector in the room to enrich the air for your plants.
It’s imperative to do as much planning up front as possible, to avoid having to undo mistakes in the end. Although you are using an indoor space to grow plants, your objective with the room is to replicate the outdoors as much as possible; so remember that your room must be dynamic, not static. Make sure to have a healthy cycle of light and dark, water flow and airflow. With these things in mind – and ultimately in your grow room – you’ll be sure to have healthy and strong hydroponics plants.
