DESIGNING A HYDROPONIC GROW ROOM

Committed hydroponic growers often design a special grow room for the cultivation of numerous 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.

Some of the decisions that have to be made when designing a grow room are how much space you need; how many plants can reasonably 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 areas, you might want to get some professional assistance with design and building.  Your hydroponics supplier should be able to advise you on what you need.

Many grow rooms rely solely on artificial lighting, and plants need different forms of lighting at different stages of growth.  So along with designing the space, you need to determine the number and types of grow lights you need, and the amount of wattage. Also, timers may be a good solution to replicate day/night cycles for the plants. You will need to ensure that your electrical system can handle the load.  Typically it is best if your electrical panel can handle 200 amps or more. 120-volt outlets may be able to handle small spaces, but 240-volt outlets are better.  Your electrician can ensure your grow room is properly fitted.  Also, lining your walls with reflective material such as mylar or white plastic will maximize lighting and save on energy costs.

Ventilation is another important factor to consider when designing your room.  Plants respirate, or “breathe”, carbon dioxide just as we breathe oxygen, and can quickly absorb all the carbon dioxide in a room in a short amount of time. Without ample access to fresh air, plants cannot function well, and eventually wither.  The more plants you have, the better-ventilated the room must be.  Be sure there is an adequate ventilation system to give your room plenty of fresh air. Oscillating fans will also help stir the air just as wind does, helping with both air flow and temperature control.  You might also consider installing a carbon dioxide injector in the room to enrich the air for your plants.

It’s important to do as much planning up front as possible, to avoid having to undo mistakes later. Although you are using an indoor space to grow plants, your goal with the room is to simulate the outdoors as much as possible; so remember that your room must be dynamic, not static.  There needs to be a healthy cycle of light and dark, airflow, and water flow, and the more you can automate things, the better off you will be.  Design your grow room with these things in mind, and you’ll be setting up a great space for your plants to be healthy and strong.