Lighting Led light output tester??
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You need a par meter. They're a bit pricey though. You can use a lux meter and convert to par with a known conversion rate. For example, about .0122 for HPS, a lux of 40,000 would be about 488 ppf. 660/450nm is probably .02+
Taking readings is great for seeing how your light is distributed also. You could need your lights higher or lower for a better spread. Or if you have multiple lights you can play with different setups to see what gets you the most light as evenly as possible on the canopy.
I had a party with my lux meter the other day and came to this conclusion for my perpetual tent. Bombard them with light in flowering and give them just enough to veg.
Taking readings is great for seeing how your light is distributed also. You could need your lights higher or lower for a better spread. Or if you have multiple lights you can play with different setups to see what gets you the most light as evenly as possible on the canopy.
I had a party with my lux meter the other day and came to this conclusion for my perpetual tent. Bombard them with light in flowering and give them just enough to veg.
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You need a par meter. They're a bit pricey though. You can use a lux meter and convert to par with a known conversion rate. For example, about .0122 for HPS, a lux of 40,000 would be about 488 ppf. 660/450nm is probably .02+
Taking readings is great for seeing how your light is distributed also. You could need your lights higher or lower for a better spread. Or if you have multiple lights you can play with different setups to see what gets you the most light as evenly as possible on the canopy.
I had a party with my lux meter the other day and came to this conclusion for my perpetual tent. Bombard them with light in flowering and give them just enough to veg.
View attachment 554698
And that ladies and gentlemen is how you earn a Tech Freak badge... solid info also @Budz81 if you already bought or are looking into an LED ask the co.pany for a par reading chart MOST not all can provide the info.
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Par charts are great, but be mindful of the data they provide. Check the area covered on the chart, some companies throw you off with a big 1500+ in the center of the chart. That's pretty much 600ppfd of wasted light, everything over 900 is pretty inefficient as its more lights than the plants can use at that point.
I believe excess light is also what causes foxtailing(when not genetic). I've noticed when dropping lights too close some shoot up new calyxes. I would think this adds plant weight and lowers potency if caused by light stress.
Here's a photoperiod I had. She shot out tails when she got moved directly under a 600wHPS and I dropped it lower(about 12") but I imagine she's not producing more thc in that situation, and it's probably getting destroyed by the light stress. You can see some bleaching under it. The trichs are fried there.
I believe excess light is also what causes foxtailing(when not genetic). I've noticed when dropping lights too close some shoot up new calyxes. I would think this adds plant weight and lowers potency if caused by light stress.
Here's a photoperiod I had. She shot out tails when she got moved directly under a 600wHPS and I dropped it lower(about 12") but I imagine she's not producing more thc in that situation, and it's probably getting destroyed by the light stress. You can see some bleaching under it. The trichs are fried there.
