par meter question

Prince Vegeta

Well-Known Member
so i just ordered an apogee quantum par meter,

the mq-500, im using the Amare solarbar8 , ive been guessing based on a lux meter and now need to hang my light properly.
so when i use this meter, am i shooting for the meter to read 7000 ? i have numeric dyslexia (it has a different name but thats what it is) so i get really confused when i start messing with numbers ( BIG mistake for me to get into the led world lol its ALL numbers)

ive watched lots of videos and they have lots of good information, making par maps, but those are all on the ground in the videos and i thought i was trying to find my canopy light density so to speak.
do i need to move my girls and lay down some cardboard to make a map then put my girls back after getting my meter to read XXXX number?
my canopy is insane right now, do a messed up perpwtual harvest, every 3 weeks i put 3 into flower and take 3 out
and this time i have one that is about 5 feet tall whereas the others are all around 3 feet,
the tall girl is at one end so i planned on raising her light higher than the others, so would i have to figyre out an entirely new map for that specific bar?
the bar 8 is 4 lights on bars that seperate. i have them hung from tracks so i can move them as needed.
im trying to get better,IMG_20200128_213835463.jpgIMG_20200128_213832373.jpg
i just dropped 550 bucks on a tool i honestly dont know how to use correctly, hoping someone can help me out
IMG_20200128_212925483.jpgIMG_20200128_194143352.jpg
 

Prince Vegeta

Well-Known Member
That meter should measure PPFD in micromoles. I try to keep light levels below 700 umoles in ambient air.
so then my goal is to have as close to an even 700 on the meter then make my canopy stay at that level? or do i raise the lights as the plants stretcth during flower?
appreciate the info too
 

Moflow

Well-Known Member
If you take a reading with the par meter in the centre of lights, where the light intensity is highest, adjust light height so it reads say 700 on meter, at top of plants.
Then adjust light bars at the sides up or down until you get as close to 700 on meter as possible.
The numbers at the edges of the lights/room will be lower but try and get the numbers as even as possible.
You can start at 700 and let the plants grow up towards light.
I've a couple of plants that get 1200 in full flower after stretch is over. Some strains can handle higher intensity than others.
 

Prince Vegeta

Well-Known Member
If you take a reading with the par meter in the centre of lights, where the light intensity is highest, adjust light height so it reads say 700 on meter, at top of plants.
Then adjust light bars at the sides up or down until you get as close to 700 on meter as possible.
The numbers at the edges of the lights/room will be lower but try and get the numbers as even as possible.
You can start at 700 and let the plants grow up towards light.
I've a couple of plants that get 1200 in full flower after stretch is over. Some strains can handle higher intensity than others.
bro you need to add me to your taxes as a dependant cause thats e=xactly what i wanted to know, much appreciation
 
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