Apex PMK

[Ace6090]

Has anyone left their PMK in a tank for an extended time? If so, couple of questions:

1) How long have you left it in the water?
2) Do you move it around the tank?
3) How did you remove the coralline algae growth?
4) Did the "lense" ever get scratched?
5) Did you ever notice if it got less sensitive over time?
6) Have you ever calibarated or check calibration?

 

[jsker]

Anyone?

 

[JimP]

Has anyone left their PMK in a tank for an extended time? If so, couple of questions:

1) How long have you left it in the water?
2) Do you move it around the tank?
3) How did you remove the coralline algae growth?
4) Did the "lense" ever get scratched?
5) Did you ever notice if it got less sensitive over time?
6) Have you ever calibarated or check calibration?

Here you go:

1) Since Aug of 2016
2) Only if I want to check a location
3) With White Vinegar
4) No
5) Only when I don't clean the lens
6) No, I check with a light meter on my phone

Hope it helps

 

[Ace6090]

Jim, What app do you use to check calibration? Never knew that was an option.

Thanks for all the other info, also glad to know I can soak in vinegar to get the algae off

 

[JimP]

Here is the web site for the app: https://www.vieyrasoftware.net/

I don't soak the sensor in vinegar I clean it with vinegar.

 

[Ace6090]

The app reads in LUX and I have been unable to find how to convert between LUX and PAR to check calibration. Would you be able to explain how you check calibration with the app?

 

[Ace6090]

Here is the web site for the app: https://www.vieyrasoftware.net/

I don't soak the sensor in vinegar I clean it with vinegar.

The app reads in LUX and I have been unable to find how to convert between LUX and PAR to check calibration. Would you be able to explain how you check calibration with the app?

 

[JimP]

Hope this helps.

Calibration: Min should be 0 (can be a positive or negative number though) with no light and Max is 5000.

Converting Lux to PAR

If you have a lux meter, it is possible to convert lux to PAR. Since spectral quality plays a part in these conversions, each light source (actinic lamp, 6,500K metal halide, etc.) will have a difference factor. The equation is:
Lux ÷ Constant = µmol·m2·sec
Lux to PAR Conversion Factors
Light Source Constant
Sunlight 54
Warm White Fluorescent 76
Cool White Fluorescent 74
URI (now UV) Actinic Fluorescent 18
URI (now UV) Daylight Fluorescent 54
Actinic/Daylight Combination 38
Philips 03 Actinic Fluorescent 40
Panasonic 6,700°K Power Compact 72
Panasonic 7,100°K / 6,700°K Combination 55
Osram Powerstar Metal Halide 57
Ushio 10,000°K Metal Halide 54
Coralife 10,000°K Metal Halide 30
Venture "Daylight" Metal Halide 46
Radium "Blue" Metal Halide 51
Fusion Sulfur Lamp 41
Westron Mercury Vapor Lamp 70
Iwasaki 6,500°K Metal Halide 57