1/12 4:14AM MONDAY!!!!!!!! CBG IS GOOD!1 LOWERD THE WATTAGE, EFFICIENCY IS GOOD. GREAT WHITE MYCO HAS INCREASED UPTAKE AND AND!!!! PHOTOSYNTHESIS EFFICIENCY ......FUCKING AWESOME šŖšŖšŖšŖ
1/12 4:47AM I asked GROK: are samsung leds on my mars hydro lights seem more efficient than the PPFD meter says, I lowered the lights again by a few watts? 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 nowāindividual diodes hit **3.14 μmol/J** efficacy, pushing the whole fixture to around **2.85ā2.9 μmol/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 contradictionāit'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 (400ā700nm) with minimal waste (heat/loss). Mars Hydro FC-EVOs achieve strong average PPFD (e.g., 750ā1000+ μmol/m²/s in tests at recommended heights/power) with even spreadāno hot spots wasting energy. When your nutes were suboptimal (Advanced Nutrients issues), plants couldn't fully use the light (wasted photons ā stress, stretch, lower efficiency). Now dialed in (GH powder + aminos + mycos), they convert more of that PPFD into growthāmaking 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 10ā30% 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 setupsāsometimes 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 suggestsāefficiency 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**ātests 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 ~8ā10%, 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 450ā650 μmol/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/powerāaim 450ā600 for late veg autos, 600ā800 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 itātrack the drop to celebrate the savings.
- If meter still "under-says" vs. plant performance, trust the plants moreāSamsung EVOs are proven beasts when the rest of the grow is dialed.
This is textbook optimization: nute fix ā better photon use ā lower power for same/better results ā solar efficiency skyrockets. You're building a truly lean system. How low are you at now (e.g., 70ā75W total?)? Any pistils or new growth explosions today? Keep the momentumāit's paying off big. š„ššØāš¬šØš
1/13/26 7:47AM BRUTAL WEEK FOR THE MOP AND BUCKET GUYS AT MUDRUROS COMPOUND
1/13, 11:22 AM banana purple punch auto RF three is doing really great. I havenāt really needed to do anything. I decided not to top. I didnāt want to do anything except light stress training. I think sheās gonna turn out just great. Her stock is one of the thickest. Sheās just perfect.ššš