Lux Meters

[jimlau]

I want to test my indoor grow light strength. can I just use any lux meter, like those used in photography?

thanks.

 

[davetree]

I want to test my indoor grow light strength. can I just use any lux meter, like those used in photography?

thanks.[/QUOT


What kind of indoor lighting do you have ?

 

[jimlau]

I have CFL's.

 

[davetree]

If you are using cfl lighting it's probably not bright enough, unless you are using a lot of them. How many watts total for how much area in square feet ?

 

[jkd2572]

I go the cheap route and use the natural light of a westward facing window. In the afternoons it will max out my light meter where the trees sit.

 

[jimlau]

currently I have about 5,000 lumens per square foot.

 

[bwaynef]

I want to test my indoor grow light strength. can I just use any lux meter, like those used in photography?

thanks.

If it measures light, I don't think it'll mind that you'll be using the light to grow trees. Light is light (for the sake of this discussion at least).

I found a luxmeter for my iphone that seems to jive with reality although I'm not sure its 100% accurate; it at least seemed consistent.

 

[davetree]

I go the cheap route and use the natural light of a westward facing window. In the afternoons it will max out my light meter where the trees sit.

The poster lives in PA, a lot less light there.

 

[davetree]

currently I have about 5,000 lumens per square foot.

5000/sq ft with cfl lighting ? How many of them do you have ? You need about 70 watts of cfl per sq ft to get that. Also are those full spectrum ? If so, not as good as grow lights as the spectrum isn't as good for growing. 5000 lumens per sq ft is middle of the road for indoor growing.