The lighting requirements for hydroponic plants will vary depending on the type of plant and its growth stage. In general, hydroponic plants require intense, full-spectrum light to thrive. This can be provided through artificial lighting such as high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, metal halide lamps, and high-pressure sodium lamps, or through natural sunlight.
For plants in the vegetative stage, a minimum of 18 hours of light per day is recommended, while plants in the flowering stage typically require 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. The intensity of the light should be at least 50-75 micro moles per square meter per second (µmol/m²/s) during the vegetative stage and 75-100 µmol/m²/s during the flowering stage.
It is important to note that different types of plants have different lighting requirements and it’s highly recommended to check the specific needs of the plants you plan to grow.
LED lights are becoming more popular due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and ability to provide the full spectrum of light that plants need. However, these lights tend to be more expensive than traditional HID lamps, but can be cost-effective in the long run.