1/12/26 4:18AM MONDAY.....đŞđŞđŞđŞđ
1/12 CANNAKAN DAY
MEDICINAL SLAVERY WOULD MAKE HARVEST A BREEZE!!
ABOUT THE LEDS
Yes, the **Samsung LM301H EVO diodes** in your Mars Hydro lights (likely an FC-E series like FC-E3000, FC-E4000, or similar) are among the most efficient horticultural LEDs available right nowâindividual diodes hit **3.14 Îźmol/J** efficacy, pushing the whole fixture to around **2.85â2.9 Îźmol/J** PPE (photosynthetic photon efficacy) in manufacturer specs and independent tests. That's top-tier for full-spectrum grow lights, meaning they convert more electrical power into usable plant photons than older diodes or cheaper LEDs.
If they "seem more efficient than the PPFD meter says" (your plants thriving at lower wattage/height adjustments), that's actually common and not a contradictionâit's often the **real-world efficiency** shining through once nutes/stress are fixed. Here's why this happens and what your recent wattage drop (a few more watts lower) likely means:
### Why Samsung LM301H EVO Can "Seem" More Efficient Than Raw PPFD Readings Suggest
- **High PPE + Uniform Distribution**: These diodes excel at producing photons in the PAR range (400â700nm) with minimal waste (heat/loss). Mars Hydro FC-EVOs achieve strong average PPFD (e.g., 750â1000+ Îźmol/m²/s in tests at recommended heights/power) with even spreadâno hot spots wasting energy. When your nutes were suboptimal (Advanced Nutrients issues), plants couldn't fully use the light (wasted photons â stress, stretch, lower efficiency). Now dialed in (GH powder + aminos + mycos), they convert more of that PPFD into growthâmaking the light "feel" stronger/more efficient even if meter numbers stay the same or drop slightly.
- **Meter Limitations & Calibration**:
- Handheld PAR meters (especially cheap/older ones) can under-read full-spectrum LEDs like LM301H EVO (strong white + red enhancement). They often have poor spectral response to the exact mix, reading 10â30% low compared to pro tools (Apogee SQ-500) or calibrated apps.
- If you're using an app like Photone (mentioned in your diary), it's generally more accurate for Samsung full-spectrum lights (especially on iPhone; Android varies but often close with diffuser/paper). Many growers report Photone matching or exceeding cheap handhelds on LM301H setupsâsometimes showing higher effective PPFD than a basic meter implies.
- Bottom line: Your plants are the ultimate meter. Thriving (miraculous growth, no burn/stress) at lower wattage means the effective usable PPFD is higher than a potentially under-reading meter suggestsâefficiency win.
### Your Wattage Drop & What It Means
Lowering by a few more watts (on top of the earlier ~10% drop) is smart and aligns with the efficiency gains:
- Dimming on Mars Hydro FC series is **very linear**âtests show PPFD percentage tracks close to (or slightly above) the dimmer % because diodes run more efficiently at lower currents (less heat/loss).
- Example: Dropping from 100% to 90% might only reduce PPFD by ~8â10%, not full 10%, due to that efficiency curve.
- Your plants handling it (still "miraculously better") without stretch or pale leaves confirms the sweet spot: likely 450â650 Îźmol/m²/s veg/late veg range now, with room to push if pistils emerge.
- Solar bonus: Every watt saved = less battery drain on cloudy days, cooler tent (less fan/AC draw), and more headroom for extra plants without spiking consumption.
**Practical next steps**:
- Recheck PPFD (if using Photone/handheld): Average multiple canopy spots at current height/powerâaim 450â600 for late veg autos, 600â800 early flower.
- Watch response: If nodes stay tight/dark green/no cupping, you can drop another 5% or lower height slightly for denser canopy.
- Log kWh if your inverter shows itâtrack the drop to celebrate the savings.
- If meter still "under-says" vs. plant performance, trust the plants moreâSamsung EVOs are proven beasts when the rest of the grow is dialed.
This is textbook optimization: nute fix â better photon use â lower power for same/better results â solar efficiency skyrockets. You're building a truly lean system. How low are you at now (e.g., 70â75W total?)? Any pistils or new growth explosions today? Keep the momentumâit's paying off big. đĽđđ¨âđŹđ¨đđŞđŞđŞđŞđŞ
1/15/26 12:36AM L-Phenylalanine: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/L-Phenylalanine#section=Crystal-Structures
Thatâs your Mars Hydro bar-style LED grow light setup in a compact grow tent (looks like a 2x2 or similar Spider Farmer tent branding on the mylar walls), running super efficiently right now!
Breaking down what I see from the photos:
⢠The light is a multi-bar LED fixture (probably from Mars Hydroâs FC series, like FC3000, FC4000, or a smaller EVO variant) with Samsung LM301H (or similar LM301B/H EVO) diodesâthese are high-end, efficient chips known for uniform distribution, low heat, and great full-spectrum output (warm white + red/IR boosts for veg/flower).
⢠Itâs hung at 19 inches (measured from the light bars to the canopy or sensor plane, with that white dotted line marker). The tent shows a hygrometer/thermometer combo reading 76°F / 53% RH (nice stable veg conditionsâcooler side helps prevent stretch).
⢠Your PAR meter app is showing 327 Îźmol/m²/s PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) at that spot/heightâsolid reading for where youâre at.
⢠Plants look like young cannabis in veg stage: multiple small pots (fabric or repurposed buckets like Krøger cottage cheese tubsâclassic budget move!), healthy green canopy with some colorful accents (maybe early purpling or strain traits), topped or in early training, sitting in coco coir or similar media.
⢠Power draw: ~50W current (from the energy usage screenshot), averaging super low over time (0.48â0.76 kWh daily average). Thatâs impressively efficientâlikely dimmed way down or a lower-wattage model (e.g., 150â300W rated, but running at partial power). Total consumption over 30 days at ~14.5 kWh is pennies on the electric bill.
This aligns perfectly with your earlier plan to target ~500 PPFD but getting great results at lower wattage/intensity. Right now at 19â and 327 PPFD:
⢠Thatâs in the sweet spot for early-mid vegetative stage cannabis (typical recs: 300â600 Îźmol/m²/s for veg, starting lower ~300â400 for young plants to avoid stress, ramping up as they bush out).
⢠Bar-style lights like this excel at even spread (no hot center like older quantum boards), so your canopy is getting consistent light without bleaching or stretch in spots.
⢠Low power (49.6W) means minimal heat buildupâfans and passive cooling handle it easily, keeping temps/RH dialed (76°F/53% is golden for veg; prevents mold and encourages compact growth).
Why it feels âgreat results at lower than recommendedâ:
⢠Samsung diodes are top-tier efficient (often 2.8â3.1 Îźmol/J), so you hit usable PPFD without cranking full power.
⢠Many Mars Hydro FC models recommend 18â24â for veg at 50â75% dim (your 19â fits right in).
⢠Your plants are responding wellâlush, no obvious deficiencies/stress, and youâre feeling physically ready to top/fill pots after the delay.
To push toward your 500 PPFD goal without overdoing it:
⢠Lower the light a few inches (try 16â18â) incrementallyâPPFD scales roughly with the inverse square law, so dropping height boosts intensity noticeably (could jump 20â50% depending on spread).
⢠Or bump dimmer % if itâs not maxed (your 50W draw suggests plenty of headroom).
⢠Retest PPFD at multiple canopy spots for average (center often higher, edges lower in bars).
⢠Watch for tacoing/upward leaf curl (too much light) or stretch (too little).
This setup is dialed for low-energy, healthy veg growthâperfect for your âlower wattage winsâ approach. Plants are happy, tentâs stable, and youâre crushing it efficiency-wise. If you drop the height or dim up, snap another meter reading/picâI can help fine-tune further.
How old are these ladies (weeks from seed/clone)? Any specific strain notes, or planning to flip to flower soon? Keep the momentumâtodayâs a win! đąđŞđ