Free PAR meter? Photone App.

[Reef and Dive]

I'd recommend giving it another shot with a diffuser. I have diffusers on my lights, too, but using the piece of printer paper, as recommended, gave a way different number. I'd really love to see your results.

With diffuser (printer paper:

“Real” par (apex par monitor) 1020
LED white settings: 1270
LED blue/red: > 3000

other test (not maximum light, ramp going up):

“Real” par (apex par monitor) 709
LED white settings: 500
LED blue/red: 1071

T5 turned off during tests

 

[UKR33f3r]

So there is this free app called Photone. It's used mostly by indoor gardeners to test PAR levels. This morning I had the brilliant idea to put my phone in a plastic bag and dunk it in my tank to see how it works. I'm currently waiting for my lights to ramp up so I can try it..
When I first got the idea like an hour ago I messaged the company on instagram to share my idea. Like all of my great ideas, someone already thought of it.. They responded right away with a recent blog they wrote up about this idea. And they even have some calibration tips. Here is a link to their blog: https://growlightmeter.com/underwater-par-measurements-for-reef-aquariums/

Downloaded and paid for the LED PAR upgrade at 7.99GBP, I’ll let you know the results! Cheap option if it pans out!

 

[Francisco Cavalcante]

I just downloaded the Android Version... Let's Test... For Android, there is no need for the Difuser...

 

[LCGoldman]

I just downloaded the Android Version... Let's Test... For Android, there is no need for the Difuser...

What company is it from? I see a few apps with similar name.

 

[Francisco Cavalcante]

What company is it from? I see a few apps with similar name.

Do you need to be subscribed in the Beta Program, it is not available yet in the market.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Does this work )

 

[reefdude101]

I don't have an iphone to try, but just wanted to say that nothing is free. They must be collecting your data. Data is $$$

Hmm free par meter, free data .. stuff it free par meter for me XD

 

[Francisco Cavalcante]

Have anyone tried android version? I am measuring and found PAR meters to low...

 

[GuppyHJD]

I just downloaded the Android Version... Let's Test... For Android, there is no need for the Difuser...

I did not see the Android version on their website?

 

[Francisco Cavalcante]

I did not see the Android version on their website?

No, you need to ask them to add you to beta program.

 

[jmichaelh7]

So zip lock bag, and turn on the app? And it works like a par meter ?

who can testify that this works

 

[chrisgold]

So zip lock bag, and turn on the app? And it works like a par meter ?

who can testify that this works

No1

 

[NewGuy8899]

I tired this and it worked for me. On another forum a guy rented the BRS PAR meter to test against this LUX meter. His readings came back +- 10lux on the 200,000 LUX meter mode. Divide the Lux reading by 30 and it was pretty much spot on with the BRS Apogee PAR number.

amazon Lux meter 18 bucks.

Leaton Digital Luxmeter/Digital Illuminance Light Meter lux meter with LCD Display(Range: 0.1~200,000 Lux Luxmeter, 0.01~20,000Fc)​

Do you remember the link?

 

[Jonreefer]

Do you remember the link?

Lux Meter
that was my test and this is the LUX meter i bought for it

 

[Devaji]

did we ever find the best app for android users? looks like there are a few on the play store. sure would like to confirm my light settings.

 

[Karen00]

Has anyone tried this app? I have the beta and it seems quite robust for doing plants and other things that require lighting information. I'm curious whether the results in a baggie under water need to be adjusted with a formula or whether they're fairly accurate on their own.

 

[reverc]

So I finally bit the bullet and paid for the led setting. Made the little paper defused and put my phone in a water proof bag. At about 6 inches under the surface with a hydra 32 about 9 inches off the water I was reading about 600. Now I know it’s a little inaccurate cause there’s now way it’s that high but I’m going to mess around with it some more. The picture is what my light settings are at when I tested it.

 

[HomebroodExotics]

So I finally bit the bullet and paid for the led setting. Made the little paper defused and put my phone in a water proof bag. At about 6 inches under the surface with a hydra 32 about 9 inches off the water I was reading about 600. Now I know it’s a little inaccurate cause there’s now way it’s that high but I’m going to mess around with it some more. The picture is what my light settings are at when I tested it.

Did you do the calibration procedures?

 

[reverc]

Did you do the calibration procedures?

No, ill do those and try again. I didn’t even realize there was a calibration .

 

[Karen00]

So I finally bit the bullet and paid for the led setting. Made the little paper defused and put my phone in a water proof bag. At about 6 inches under the surface with a hydra 32 about 9 inches off the water I was reading about 600. Now I know it’s a little inaccurate cause there’s now way it’s that high but I’m going to mess around with it some more. The picture is what my light settings are at when I tested it.

I was also going to ask if you calibrated it but I also wanted to get clarification on two things you said:
1. What do you mean you paid for the led setting? Is that an extra light feature that can be purchased for the app? If so is there a page that talks about the extras?
2. What paper diffuser? I feel like I might've missed reading some instructions.

Thanks for testing this!