Do You Use a Par Meter?

[LightingBug]

it's hard to see as my skills in photography stink, the one on the left does not have the parts bag, the right one you can see it on the bottom.

In addition to this, I also bought the 3-light Blade hanging kit (bought 2) - and they were both missing.....the HANGING part.

Not sure if the AI factory was busy the day they did these or what.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I got an apogee on eBay for about half price. It would have been cheaper if there wasn’t a bidding war… (I know who you are on here… JK)
That being said I was really surprised on how much the par changes. It is not like “on TV” where you have a consistent fall off. You can a coral from 12” away casting an open shadow that will drop your Par 100 or more. But a 1/2 inch away it’s fine. So for me it really helps to test the spot I am going to glue a new coral in.

 

[X-37B]

it's hard to see as my skills in photography stink, the one on the left does not have the parts bag, the right one you can see it on the bottom.

In addition to this, I also bought the 3-light Blade hanging kit (bought 2) - and they were both missing.....the HANGING part.

Not sure if the AI factory was busy the day they did these or what.

It must have been a Monday or Friday, lol.
For what its worth I have 12 16hds, 8 gooseneck and 2 metal mounts. All parts were accounted for.

 

[LightingBug]

It must have been a Monday or Friday, lol.
For what its worth I have 12 16hds, 8 gooseneck and 2 metal mounts. All parts were accounted for.

I'm sure it is a semi-isolated deal, but thought I would share just in case.

 

[X-37B]

I'm sure it is a semi-isolated deal, but thought I would share just in case.

Agree, check the package if you can. I had a good experience with AI customer service. I called and asked about the lens melting. They said they fixed the issue and I bought 8 of the new replacement lens. Also not advised, as I did, to run the UV-V channel over 100%
I was at 140% based off of brs video. Only the UV-V lens caused the melting. Anyway at $5 a lens its doable.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

I rented one and was shocked how low the par was from my XR15 lights which now run at 100% intensity.

Same here, was running XR15's at 70% and assumed i was blasting my upper corals. Now their maxed out and I've removed the diffuser as well.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

I broke down and bought one a while back. I have to say it's the most valuable tool I own and I own 10s of thousands of dollars in tools from my career as an auto tech. Just the fact that I'm no longer killing clams and wondering why makes it worth the investment to me.

Agreed. Bought mine awhile back during a complete rebuild on my 90G Reef. Its so comforting to be 99% sure a coral will be satisfied with where I place it makes it worth it to me.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Agree! I wouldn't reef without one, had one at least 12 years now. I really don't understand not owning one, it's like having a car without a speedometer - an essential measurement device that costs a tiny fraction of the total of what a reef aquarium setup costs.

PAR is every bit as important as everything else we test for. Hopefully with less fluctuation

 

[Lavey29]

Same here, was running XR15's at 70% and assumed i was blasting my upper corals. Now their maxed out and I've removed the diffuser as well.

Same exactly for me but i left diffusers on to help with spread. They only cost 20 par per the par meter check.

 

[King Reef]

I rented one and was shocked how low the par was from my XR15 lights which now run at 100% intensity.

This is me also, just rented a par meter and my highest number at a coral was around 250 under xr15g5 at 100 percent. I was previously running around 70 percent intensity and getting 170par. let the recovery begin

 

[Lavey29]

This is me also, just rented a par meter and my highest number at a coral was around 250 under xr15g5 at 100 percent. I was previously running around 70 percent intensity and getting 170par. let the recovery begin

I run the AB plus schedule. If you increase whites you can get higher par but that means algae issues.

 

[Michael A Kurolvech]

Same exactly for me but i left diffusers on to help with spread. They only cost 20 par per the par meter check.

I'm under glass as well. Trying to squeeeze every last drop from this orange.

 

[Lavey29]

I'm under glass as well. Trying to squeeeze every last drop from this orange.

I only get 350 par at the very top of my rocks few inches below the surface. 50 to 125 par on the sand depending on location.

Once I cranked the lights to 100% intensity the coral started flourishing really well though.