MultiHub Forum

I’m trying to build a small, self-contained hydroponic system for leafy greens inside a repurposed 80-gallon glass aquarium I got for free, but I’m hitting a wall with the lighting. My space is a cool, north-facing sunroom with no direct sunlight, and I have a strict budget of about $200 for the entire build, including pumps, nutrients, and lighting. I’ve seen people use cheap LED shop lights, but I’m worried about spectrum and intensity for proper growth through a deep water column—the tank is 24 inches tall. I can’t just raise the lights because of a low, sloped ceiling, and I’m hesitant to buy a “grow light” panel without knowing if it’s overkill or insufficient for my specific depth and low ambient temperature, which sits around 62°F.

Plan two slim 24 LED bars (5000–6500K, with a touch of 660nm red if desired) mounted just above the water line on opposite ends of the 80‑gallon tank to deliver even PAR down the full 24" depth. Use diffusers and a reflective panel to spread light; target 200–400 μmol/m2/s at the canopy. Keep room around 60–65°F and feed a basic hydroponic nutrient mix; total under $200.