Is 113k lux too much ?

drsaltzman

Well-Known Member
Smokey, I think Xtsho makes a good point.
Gadgets are not necessary for a small tent grow.
Your first grow is not going to be perfect, and really, the mistakes you make are a better tool than a light meter.
If I’m not mistaken, you have a thread where you thought you had leaf septoria.
Now you know you don’t, before you started applying a fungicide unnecessarily.
Take it slow. A good light. Good ventilation. Good medium. Good nutes. Good genetics. Patience.
That’s all you need.
And start slow. Lights. Water. Nutes. You can always add. It’s much much harder to remove.
Good luck!
 

xtsho

Well-Known Member
h
My focus is on what's cost effective as well as not using note energy than I actually need . My light has no light guage just a dial . A killowatt meter will be next , but that crappy phone app my just save me money as I don't need a kilowatt meter now .As a new grower my focus is on getting a feel for my set up and dialling in how I want to use it for future grows . Got some light burn so light intensity is too strong . Not shelling out 100s for something I can get a general estimate on and it's not only that simple. It's that simple once you know your equipment.

Also when it comes to plant size and cost effectiveness would you have the same light intensity or full capacity for a short plant or a tall plant . My assumption is high powered lights are probably designed to have an excess to penetrate tall plants . No point using 480watt £50 a month when you probably only need 200 watt
Well you don't need 480 watts for one small plant that's for sure.

I make posts like I did because so many new growers get sidetracked from the basics like plant nutrition and feeding which is the foundation for a healthy plant. I'm not saying other things don't matter or make a difference it's just that the first block in the wall is just keeping the plant healthy and knowing how to do that. I saw your post on leaf septoria and what you have is a nutrient issue which you should be focused on.

Whatever you do don't spray that stuff on your plants.
 

jfarrismu

Well-Known Member
Smokey, I think Xtsho makes a good point.
Gadgets are not necessary for a small tent grow.
Your first grow is not going to be perfect, and really, the mistakes you make are a better tool than a light meter.
If I’m not mistaken, you have a thread where you thought you had leaf septoria.
Now you know you don’t, before you started applying a fungicide unnecessarily.
Take it slow. A good light. Good ventilation. Good medium. Good nutes. Good genetics. Patience.
That’s all you need.
And start slow. Lights. Water. Nutes. You can always add. It’s much much harder to remove.
Good luck!
I'd have to disagree. Having measurements to guide growing is super helpful for new growers. Measuring PPM is another example. Being able to know an estimate of what to shoot for and then adjusting from there is a lot better than throwing money out of the window with shots in the dark
 

crimsonecho

Well-Known Member
ok i’m just gonna add my 2 cents to this thread. phone apps are terrible at getting correct lux readings. and while par readings are more important it costs a lot to get a par meter so there was a conversion equation for getting a basic par number from 3000K cree cob diodes on this site. basically you multiply your lux reading with 0,0142 or something (maybe 0,0147) which should give you an idea of your lights par output.
and i also try to keep it between 50000lux and 70000lux as most of my plants exhibit stress when i go over it. but these measurement are taken with a proper light meter and not a phone app.
 

Syntax747

Well-Known Member
I find Lux being a cheap half-assed measurement. Just like everything else in this industry, "cheap" means Real Fuckin Cheap.
Seems like just another scam to get ppl to buy their bs lights.

My Par meter ran me $550 - well worth the investment. vs. the Free Lux App?
Cheap gets you nowhere in this field.
Anyway, each to their own - Best of Luck
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
ok i’m just gonna add my 2 cents to this thread. phone apps are terrible at getting correct lux readings. and while par readings are more important it costs a lot to get a par meter so there was a conversion equation for getting a basic par number from 3000K cree cob diodes on this site. basically you multiply your lux reading with 0,0142 or something (maybe 0,0147) which should give you an idea of your lights par output.
and i also try to keep it between 50000lux and 70000lux as most of my plants exhibit stress when i go over it. but these measurement are taken with a proper light meter and not a phone app.
Some apps are better than others. It also helps if you have a decent phone.
 

drsaltzman

Well-Known Member
I'd have to disagree. Having measurements to guide growing is super helpful for new growers. Measuring PPM is another example. Being able to know an estimate of what to shoot for and then adjusting from there is a lot better than throwing money out of the window with shots in the dark
If you can’t grow a plant in soil without a light meter or measuring PPM’s you should probably find another hobby.
 

twentyeight.threefive

Well-Known Member
God yall are such a bunch of assholes. What the actual fuck is wrong with taking measurements until you develop a better sense of what you're doing? This site is like a case study in toxic masculinity.
I'd only half agree with his statement. Light measurements aren't required but measuring your feed is a pretty good idea.

Generally new growers tend to overthink and overdo most things when growing. They worry more, touch the plants more, water/feed more, etc. In general less is more.
 

Syntax747

Well-Known Member
If you can’t grow a plant in soil without a light meter or measuring PPM’s you should probably find another hobby.
Par meter has nothing to do with the health of my plants. It's all about getting that optimum par value @ the canopy.
 

drsaltzman

Well-Known Member
God yall are such a bunch of assholes. What the actual fuck is wrong with taking measurements until you develop a better sense of what you're doing? This site is like a case study in toxic masculinity.
Wow man. Never been called an asshole on this site before. Or toxically masculine.
I guess there’s a first time for everything.
But to answer your question anyway:
If you don’t know what you’re doing with said measurements what good are they?
Soil doesn’t require ppm measurements. Hydro is different.
A light meter is overkill. Besides any reputable manufacturer gives you par, lux, watts … whatever you need.
Plants stretch? Lower the light? Plants burn? Raise ‘em.
You know what’s a decent gadget? A good ph pen like Blue Labs.
You can disagree. I’m not offended. This is my personal experience.
As well as people I’ve taught.
Learn how to read your plants. They tell you everything you need to know.
 

Star Dog

Well-Known Member
Yes absolutely the plant tells you everything by looking, but like books you have to learn to read 1st and that takes time/experience you won't learn it in a crop or two.

Using figures as a guideline will get most people through and give them a starting point to work from.

Measurements have been used throughout history to pass down and share knowledge.

I had no clue what 55 grains of gunpowder done but using a scale and measuring 55 grains gave me a safe reliable bullet.
So figures don't need to mean anything is my point.
 

drsaltzman

Well-Known Member
Yes absolutely the plant tells you everything by looking, but like books you have to learn to read 1st and that takes time/experience you won't learn it in a crop or two.

Using figures as a guideline will get most people through and give them a starting point to work from.

Measurements have been used throughout history to pass down and share knowledge.

I had no clue what 55 grains of gunpowder done but using a scale and measuring 55 grains gave me a safe reliable bullet.
So figures don't need to mean anything is my point.
No argument here StarDog.
But how did humanity ever raise a tomato before?
I get it. It’s a new world. All kinds of new tools/toys.
And everyone is different.
It’s all good.
Well except the personal comment from someone because I don’t share their opinion.
Theres plenty of assholes in the world. I try not to be one of them if I can help it.
 
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