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Do lumens matter or not?
- Thread starter watts
- Start date
yes lumens measure the amount of light within the human visible spectrum that make up white light.
the amount of photosynthetically active radiation PAR is superior to lumens, that is unless you are trying to illuminate a workshop, office building or the like.
spectrum I believe will prove to be superior to intensity... though the more intense within the PAR spectrum the better... to an extent of course
the amount of photosynthetically active radiation PAR is superior to lumens, that is unless you are trying to illuminate a workshop, office building or the like.
spectrum I believe will prove to be superior to intensity... though the more intense within the PAR spectrum the better... to an extent of course
qupee
Member
Lumens and PAR are different ways to measure the same thing - light intensity. Lumens tries to be more relevant to human perception of brightness and weights green spectrum more heavily; PAR tries to be more relevant to photosynthetic usefulness and weights certain parts of the red and blue spectrum more heavily.
Is PAR more relevant as a measure of brightness for a grower? Sure. Has anyone conclusively shown that higher PAR/lower lumen bulb outperforms a higher Lumen/lower PAR bulb. Not that I've seen.
At the same wattage, the difference is slight. A cheaper, non-horticultural bulb may not have a higher PAR but you may see better response from being able to replace it twice as often for the same price.
The reality is there's so many variables in the success of a grow that a slightly higher PAR is not likely to be the differentiating factor for you. I certainly wouldn't pay a high premium for a high-PAR bulb. There's solid standby's like Ushio and Hortilux that have horticultural specific spectrums and better intensity maintenance over time that aren't as expensive as some of the newer bulbs on the market trying to over-advertise the importance of PAR.
I certainly would not replace a good, newish bulb for another of the same wattage just because it had a little higher PAR.
Is PAR more relevant as a measure of brightness for a grower? Sure. Has anyone conclusively shown that higher PAR/lower lumen bulb outperforms a higher Lumen/lower PAR bulb. Not that I've seen.
At the same wattage, the difference is slight. A cheaper, non-horticultural bulb may not have a higher PAR but you may see better response from being able to replace it twice as often for the same price.
The reality is there's so many variables in the success of a grow that a slightly higher PAR is not likely to be the differentiating factor for you. I certainly wouldn't pay a high premium for a high-PAR bulb. There's solid standby's like Ushio and Hortilux that have horticultural specific spectrums and better intensity maintenance over time that aren't as expensive as some of the newer bulbs on the market trying to over-advertise the importance of PAR.
I certainly would not replace a good, newish bulb for another of the same wattage just because it had a little higher PAR.
^qupee, absolutely!
I am always thinking IDEAL, not always in practical means... the fact is for years the lights were made for the human eye HPS are used as street lamps and MH for flood lamps so PAR was never a factor.
but it seems as the digital ballasts started coming out and bulb manufacturers had to redesign the bulbs to work at higher frequencies they took into account their horticultural uses and increased the PAR spectrums.
my digi's hooked up to 240v with my sun pulse is stupid bright and has specific spectrums which to me means (not only is more of the electricity converted to light and less to heat) more of that 1000watts will be used by the plants seeing as thats what the bulbs were designed for plant growth not my eyes.
but no doubt, no one should go and replace a good bulb to upgrade, its not going to be your golden ticket... but I think in the right setup could help get the best expressions from plants and be most efficient grow wise, as far as electricity/yield to quality goes (maybe not cost wise)
but no I haven't done all of the tests on all the different ballast/bulb combo's this is just my opinion...
I do want to try some Gavitas also!
I am always thinking IDEAL, not always in practical means... the fact is for years the lights were made for the human eye HPS are used as street lamps and MH for flood lamps so PAR was never a factor.
but it seems as the digital ballasts started coming out and bulb manufacturers had to redesign the bulbs to work at higher frequencies they took into account their horticultural uses and increased the PAR spectrums.
my digi's hooked up to 240v with my sun pulse is stupid bright and has specific spectrums which to me means (not only is more of the electricity converted to light and less to heat) more of that 1000watts will be used by the plants seeing as thats what the bulbs were designed for plant growth not my eyes.
but no doubt, no one should go and replace a good bulb to upgrade, its not going to be your golden ticket... but I think in the right setup could help get the best expressions from plants and be most efficient grow wise, as far as electricity/yield to quality goes (maybe not cost wise)
but no I haven't done all of the tests on all the different ballast/bulb combo's this is just my opinion...
I do want to try some Gavitas also!
In the few data sources I've seen, there is a strong but imperfect correlation between lumens and PAR with HID lamps. Here is one of them: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showpost.php?p=4827559&postcount=16
Most of the time that I've seen "lumens are for humans" is in LED marketing.
Most of the time that I've seen "lumens are for humans" is in LED marketing.
rangergord
Active member
Yes LED marketing and Plasma induction lamps. I am waiting for these technologies to mature before I go near them. Hydro stores are always trying to make themselves look like they know something you don't. Pump pump pump sell sell sell.
