Need Help With a Dr. Meter Lux Meter

MickFoster

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
I just purchased a Dr. Meter Lux Meter and I'm confused.
It has 3 range settings........lux, 10x, and 100x.
I currently have 3 day old seedlings under an 8 bulb, 4ft. T5 fixture........4 inches from the top of the seedlings.
When I use the lux setting or the 10x setting I can't get a reading........it just shows a 1........which according to their horrible instructions means I have to change the range.
When I take the reading at 100x, I get a 420 reading.
Do I have to multiply that times 100?
That would give me 42,000 lux.
According to the ideal lux readings for seedlings.........it's 5,000 to 7,000 lux.
Another grower told me that was too high, but I have always used the T5 for the first 3 weeks of growth and kept it just inches away without a problem.

I was hoping somebody familiar with either this meter or any lux meter for that matter can explain it to me.

Thanks.

PS - If I don't get any response in this section, I'll post another thread in the General Growing section.........but I'll wait a day or so........I don't want to pull a newbie. Lol.
 
Milky Weed

Milky Weed

Well-Known Member
Yeah i have the the same brand meter, if it reads a .1 you do have to go up a tick, and whatever range you x it by that. Lux does not directly translate to Umol, it can vary by fixture quality. so that 40k of t5 lux may not be enough to harm the seedlings.
 
MickFoster

MickFoster

Well-Known Member
Milky Weed said:
Yeah i have the the same brand meter, if it reads a .1 you do have to go up a tick, and whatever range you x it by that. Lux does not directly translate to Umol, it can vary by fixture quality.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
So if I have it on 100x, I have to multiply the reading by 100?
I surprised that a T5 is that bright.
Apparently the guy that told me 42,000 was too bright for seedlings was wrong........considering I've always used a T5 inches from the plants.
What reading do you use for new seedlings?
 
Milky Weed

Milky Weed

Well-Known Member
MickFoster said:
Thanks.
So if I have it on 100x, I have to multiply the reading by 100?
I surprised that a T5 is that bright.
Apparently the guy that told me 42,000 was too bright for seedlings was wrong........considering I've always used a T5 inches from the plants.
What reading do you use for new seedlings?
Click to expand...
I think i was using the second reading and aiming for 750 or something like that, and if they are 4 inches from the bulbs i could believe strong bulbs could do that. also they grow into it, getting even closer. hey if its working dont fix it haha.

People start seedlings outside, and they survive. maybe seedlings light sensitivity is abit overblown? They definitely need some kind of reduced levels though just starting life.
 
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