Dealing with light issues myself lead me to a lux meter. I try to make sure the lights at the top of the colas is around 75k lux and not below 35k lux for veg/seedlings. This leads to the light not going above 80% power (mars hydro tsw2000). Helped me considerably. I use this lux meter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LF4BT8V Google "lux meter for weed" will bring up tutorials and other info.
Dude thanks for taking the time to write this! Makes sense about stretching when the light is far. Ive been told to keep the light close (like 4” above canopy) after seedling stage, but without a PAR meter I’m just guessing on intensity. I’m hoping this tool will help give me a ballpark estimate after converting to PAR: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Dr-meter-Illuminance-Measuring-Rotatable/dp/B07LF4BT8V
Thanks for the insight. The Apogee PAR meters are way past my budget for how I’d be using them. I did find this LED-specific light meter - not sure if this is marketing though or if this would work with the TSL LEDs. Dr. Meter LED light meter
I’d recommend a PAR meter, as lux and lumens are for humans, also if you do get a lux meter and you are running leds then you’ll need to make sure it’s led compatible, like this one on Amazon
Dr.meter Professional LED Light Meter, Digital Illuminance Meter with 0-200,000 Measuring Ranges and 270 Degree Rotatable Detector https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07LF4BT8V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_AYQRFbFKA0P95
Dr.meter Professional LED Light Meter, Digital Illuminance Meter with 0-200,000 Measuring Ranges and 270 Degree Rotatable Detector https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LF4BT8V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_218V2Z35BMKF79G58WVY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
My lights aren’t LED. I don’t think lux meters work for LED though. Sorry I didn’t realize. The same company sells this one for LED. try this
Sure! This is the one that I use.
Get a cheap lux meter on amazon for about $35, I was recommended this one and it seems to work well. Tried to use an app but it seemed really inaccurate. Also a humidity/temperature meter would be a cheap investment.
Also, for usually half the price of a grow light,..a proper tool to measure output can be found..
This changed all of my plants for me, for the better.