Grow Lights Basic: Lumens, Lux and PAR (2022 Full Research)

Navigation

Lumens
Lux
PAR
How to measure the amount of energy present for photosynthesis
Grow Lights for Different Plants
Check the grow lights' spectroradiometric data from your manufacturer
The Best Grow Lights on the Market: Sproutboxx
Conclusion

If you're new to the world of grow lights, you might feel slightly overwhelmed. With all the different terminology and technical specifications, it can be challenging to know where to start.

In this blog post, we're going to take a step back and look at some of the basic concepts you need to know to make an informed decision about which grow light is right for you. We'll cover topics like lumens, lux and PAR so that by the end of this post, you'll better understand what these terms mean and how they relate to growing lights.

Lumens

Lumens measure the amount of light that is produced by a grow light. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light.

Lux

Lux can be used to measure the intensity of light at any given moment or over a while. For example, you could use a lux meter to measure the light that hits a surface in a room during daylight hours.

Lux can also be used to compare different types of grow lights. For example, you might want to know how much more intense light from one type of grow light is compared to another. Meanwhile, lux can help you determine how much light your plants get.

If you think they are not getting enough light, you can increase the number fluxes by adding more grow lights or moving them closer to the plants.

PAR

Photosynthetically Active Radiation(PAR) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that plants use to create energy through photosynthesis. PAR is measured in micromoles per square meter per second (µmol/m2/s) and can be quantified with a PAR meter.

PAR values are essential to growers because they allow for the accurate prediction of how much light will be available for plant growth. Most PAR meters on the market today measure both PAR and Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD), which is the number of photons in the PAR range that fall on a given surface area per unit of time.

A grow light's PAR value can be affected by many factors, such as:

The distance from the light source
The angle at which the light hits the target surface
The type of bulb being used
The reflectivity of the surfaces around the light source
How to Use a grow light Meter

PAR is the most important number to focus on when using grow lights, as this is what actually drives photosynthesis. However, lux can also be helpful in determining how well your plants are growing.

If you want to get accurate readings from your grow light meter, it is essential to calibrate it regularly. This can usually be done by following the manufacturer's instructions.

How to measure the amount of energy present for photosynthesis

Plants need light to grow, but not all light is equal when it comes to growing plants. The three main ways to measure the amount of light energy present are lumens, lux and PAR.

Lumens measure the total amount of light given off by a light source. Lux measure the intensity of light over a given area. PAR measures the amount of photosynthetically active radiation in a given area.

Of these three measurements, PAR is the most important for photosynthesis. PAR measures the wavelength of light that is most effective for photosynthesis. This wavelength of light is between 400 and 700 nanometers.

To measure PAR, you will need a PAR meter. These meters are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. Once you have your PAR meter, please place it in the area where your plants are located. Turn on your grow lights and take a reading from your PAR meter. The reading will tell you how muchPAR is present in your grow room.

You can also use lux or lumens to estimate the amount of energy present for photosynthesis, but remember that these measurements do not take into account the specific wavelength of light most effective for photosynthesis.

Grow Lights for Different Plants

When it comes to deciding which grow light is suitable for your plants, there are a few things to take into account. The most important factor is the type of plants you are growing. Different plants have specific light requirements. For example, succulents and cacti need much less light than flowering plants.

Here is a breakdown of how much different light types of plants need:

Succulents and cacti:These plants do not need very much light. They can even tolerate low-light conditions. A south-facing window should provide enough light if you are growing these plants indoors.
Flowering plants:These plants need more light than succulents and cacti. They will do best with a grow light that provides at least 10 hours of daylight.
Fruits and vegetables:These plants need the most light out of all the plant types. They will need a grow light that provides at least 12 hours of daylight.

Check the grow lights' spectroradiometric data from your manufacturer

If you're using grow lights to help your indoor plants reach their full potential, it's important to ensure the light spectrum emitted by the bulbs is appropriate for plant growth. One way to do this is to check the spectroradiometric data from your manufacturer.

This data will tell you the amount of light at each wavelength that is emitted by the bulb. By comparing this to the optimal light spectrum for plant growth, you can ensure that your plants are getting the right mix of light waves to promote healthy growth.

In addition to checking the spectroradiometric data, it's also important to pay attention to the lumens and PAR output of your grow lights. Lumens measure the total amount of visible light emitted by a bulb, while PAR measures the amount of light in the 400-700nm range (which is optimal for plant growth).

You can give your plants the best chance at reaching their full potential by ensuring that your grow lights are emitting the right mix of light waves and intensity.

The Best Grow Lights on the Market: Sproutboxx

Regarding growing lights, there are three main things to consider: lumens, lux and PAR. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb emits, lux measures the intensity of that light, and PAR measures the amount of light reaching the plants.

Sproutboxx has the best grow lights on the market because they offer a high level of lumen output, intense light and a wide range of PAR values. Their grow lights are also very energy efficient, saving money on your electric bill.

If you're looking for a grow light that will give you the best yields, then Sproutboxx is the way to go.

Conclusion

If you're looking to get into indoor gardening, it's essential to know about grow lights. This article covers the basics of lumens, lux and PAR — what they are and how they're measured. We hope that this information has helped get you started with grow lights. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and we'll do our best to answer them.

In conclusion, it is important to remember that grow lights are just one part of successful indoor gardening set-up. They are, however, an important part of providing your plants with the light they need to photosynthesize and produce food for themselves. The three most important factors to consider when choosing grow lights are lumens, lux and PAR. By considering the needs of your specific plants, you can select the best grow light set-up for your garden and ensure that your plants get the light they need to thrive.