Lux versus footcandle

[Becca]

I have seen some light meters that gives measurements in lux and some that give measurements in lux and footcandles. Is there one better then the other? I am trying to decide on which one to buy?

[Ross]

Hi Becca, we keep meeting here

Lots of folks use the one from Environmental Concepts that is actually measuring Lux and giving you a foot-candle reading. Foot-candles are only used here is US (maybe a few other places).

The definition, etc. is available at Lux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I highly recommend the Simply Hydroponics - Light Meters meter, as it is pretty inexpensive (and these bad boys can get really expensive,) and pretty accurate once you figure out what you are actually metering

[Becca]

Hi again Ross! I looked op the Simply hydroponics light meters and they appear to have three, which is the one you were recommending? I was looking at a Professional Light Meter - LX1330 that is on the website of Carsten's Orchid-Depot and Orchid Shop and measures in both lux and footcandles and they have another one that measures in just lux.

[Ross]

Get the cheapest one that will measure natural sunlight as well as HID (High Intensity Discharge) lights. The second is used with T5 bulbs as well as the fancy (and expensive) grow lights. Doesn't really matter which one. The one I have is like $30 or so.

[Ross]

Oh, another thought... you might be better served putting your money into a really good lighting system (not that yours ISN'T good, mind you) that will let you know exactly what the light output is in lumens. Based on that, you can predict what you would get in foot candles at various distances. For instance I use the 4-tube, 48" version of this one --> .: Sunlight Supply - horticulture and aquarium lighting systems :. Website

It lists the lumens output at 5000 lumens per bulb. That's measured at the bulb surface. (Compare that to a standard 100 watt incadenscent light bulb which puts out approx 1200 lumens). So 4 tubes equates to 20,000 lumens at the tube surface. A fott-candle is a measurement of the light reflected off the surface of (in our case) a leaf. So it is diminished by distance. To make a long story short, if you were to use a bank of 4 t5 48" high output florescent bulbs rated at 5000 lumens each, you should measure at least 1000-1500 foot-candles at leaf surface of plants one foot below the tubes. If you plan to grow Phalenopsis this is ideal. It is actually a bit high for certain minis that love shade.

[Becca]

Thanks Ross! I will start looking into something like that. How much room do you think I would need? I have pictures of my small set up posted in the gallery, or in an album, or something like that. Then that will allow you to see the small space I am working with If you go to Select-A-Blend Orchid Mix and look at the plant table they sell that has the built in humidity trays and the built in light, it might give you more of an idea of what I have to work worth as well since that is what I am using. I can't grow a bunch outside since it is starting to get in the mid 90's here. I will be bringing my plants I have outdoors inside so they don't croak since even the warm growing orchids I don't think are recommended above 90, I could be wrong. I have to keep in mind that whatever I do doesn't look ugly or else my other half will not approve it, and he prefers for me to not have my orchids all around the house since he hates the cluttered feeling. I think I might be pushing it as it is since I have a bunch of plants in sphag-n-bag. He is handling it well so far, he just isn't into the orchids like I am and I am fine with that. I do need to move the table out of the corner it is in since I am sure it is not getting enough light. Thanks for all of the help you have given me!

[Ross]

Not sure what your budget is, but I like the looks of these orchidarium.com Just click on links at upper left to view various sizes. I may very well end up with one of these for my upstairs growing even though I opted for a custom-built environment http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chidarium.html that I use right now. There are several here on the board using these Orchidarium Inc. products. I particularly like the Azores, as it fits the space I have available. Not sure if it fits your budget though. Partner might like it better than stuff flopping all over the place

[Becca]

Wow I really like those! I will bookmark the site for future use, as that is slightly way out of my budget right now. Maybe in a year or so. They look pretty large, I would have to talk my other half into allowing something that large into our room, since that is were it is. We have a finished basement that is kind of like an office/storage area but it gets really cold during the summer even if I shut the vents in the room and open the windows, which do not allow much light. He thought we could put something in down there to where I could grow my orchids, and I am all for that, but obviously I would have to have something to regulate the temperatures, do these orchidariums have this? I would assume so but I could be wrong. Thanks for the link! I really like it, and I like your custom one to....I dream of those as well as having a greenhouse someday, I just got in over my head without being able to provide a proper environment so I will just improvise until I can afford something like what you have!

[Dorothy]

OMG - I have been looking at the orchidariums at orchidariums.com and have been ...
Ross - thanks for all the info .. I will be using it in the near future!

[Becca]

Darn-it Ross! Now I want one of these and I don't think no is an option now that I showed my other half and he is picturing my orchids in it downstairs in the basement as I type....lol. It may be time for the credit card to come out of hiding! To think I wouldn't have to worry about light, temp, and humidity ever again other then to monitor it and make adjustments! See what you started!