measuring accurately for lighting needs....

[md.apothecary]

Okay, i got the 5000 lumen per sq. ft.

HOWEVER.... is this sq. footage, the area of the grow box, or the space that the plants take up??

I am not using my entire "grow area" as my plants do NOT fill the entire area up, and I need only to light my plants. Do I measure around my plants or does it still go by the entire space.

For instance, I have a 14" (inch) by 39" (inch) shelf that I want to use for veg. So, let me round up and say that's just under 20000 lumens required. The CFL's I want to get, it says I need 6 to cover that or within 100 lumens or so. Anyway... it seems overkill to light up the entire shelf when I only need to light about half of the shelf (where the plants are).


How exactly does this work?

Thanks!!

 

[Growdude]

You do measure the entire area, why not take some mylar and make a smaller area with it.
It will do much better as lummens are not lost by haaving them in a wide open area.

 

[md.apothecary]

I am waiting for my poly to come in, but I have mylar up in the area now, However, I was thinking of narrowing the shelf a bit to fit just my grow tray and use the other side as a little storage cubby. Just wanted to make sure I was measuring it accurately.

Thanks!

 

[md.apothecary]

:holysheep: yeah if i do it this way, it takes it down to 11000 lumens... much more reasonable i figure. guess i should of thought that out before asking. haha

 

[Growdude]

:holysheep: yeah if i do it this way, it takes it down to 11000 lumens... much more reasonable i figure. guess i should of thought that out before asking. haha

its length x width =sq/ft
14"x39"= 18958.3 lumens needed @ 5000 lumens per sq/ft

Unless your making it alot smaller.

 

[md.apothecary]

yes, im downsizing to 22" x 14" takes it to 10800 lumens

edit: sorry the last post might have confused you when mentioning 11000 lumens, i was referring to my post immediately before that suggesting narrowing it down and making a storage cubby on the side.