Has anyone used the BioTek Marine PAR Sensor

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

What are your thoughts on the BioTek Marine PAR Sensor? Is it worth the money? I really want a PAR meter, and this one looks like it might be decent. Thoughts? (NOTE: I would be using this under radions.)

 

[Diesel]

@saltyfilmfolks

 

[ps2cho]

I have one and works great. Pay for the USB connector. Not really much to say about it other than it works. Just a basic readout via USB in a laptop.

Just remember to use the LED correction factor to be more accurate, but as long as your in ballpark, 8% or whatever it is won't make or break anything. It'll just help you set intensity rather than a complete guess and you'll find where your high/low spots are for coral placement.

 

[gus6464]

The biotek unit = apogee sq-420

For the same price I would go with the apogee as the software is a tad better. Apogee software does correction factor for you. You input some info and voila.

Also if you got an extra $120 this is a much nicer option and more accurate.

http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/sq-500-full-spectrum-quantum-sensor/
and this
https://blueacro.com/products/SQ500MM

and a cheap $10 multimeter and you are in business.

 

[Sabellafella]

What are your thoughts on the BioTek Marine PAR Sensor? Is it worth the money? I really want a PAR meter, and this one looks like it might be decent. Thoughts? (NOTE: I would be using this under radions.)

Looks great! I would get it, just have to run it to a computer

 

[tigé21v]

Not sure what the correct terminology would be, so I'll try to explain..
You have either the Apogee or Biotek hooked up to your laptop. Is it possible with either one to log the measurements within your tank while simultaneously recording the actual locations using the camera on your laptop? It'd be nice to be able to sit down and go over the readings at a later time, and also have a record of what readings were where.

The biotek unit = apogee sq-420

For the same price I would go with the apogee as the software is a tad better. Apogee software does correction factor for you. You input some info and voila.

What if you could pick up the Biotek for 15-25% less? (Black Friday deals)

Also if you got an extra $120 this is a much nicer option and more accurate.

http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/sq-500-full-spectrum-quantum-sensor/

What do you connect the bare wires to?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

save you cash. go new apogee.
If i had the cash id go new apogee and milwaukee lux meter.
Im so not concerned about par meter numbers now I really dont worry. Its only a scientific curiosity on my part at this point.
Ill explain exactly why perhaps later cuz Im kinda sick of getting flamed for common sense observations.

If your going acro, start the tank at 50k lux, and build the nutrients and increase the intensity to 80 or 90%. and see what you get from the fixture. that's just to save the heat on the leds really.

We had a great lux thread. Check out russ265's corals paling thread now. BTW my shrooms finally recovered once I got the nutrient back up and my acros didn't brown either. you'll get that after you read it.

If your really really really concerned Im sure there's a buddy on the boards here who'd lend you one. its probably the least used test in our arsenal.

@Diesel sorry I didn't get the tag bud.

 

[gus6464]

dang premium has the sq-520 but not the sq-500. While the sq-520 is still a good deal at 270 I would prefer the sq-500 to not be tied down to pc.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I have an sq-200 coming back from calibration this week, if you're interested. I also don't like having to be tethered to a computer.

 

[Diesel]

I love my 200.
Set and forget.
The 500 is nice if you run LED's but I'm old school with my T5's

 

[chgoblknazn]

The biotek unit = apogee sq-420

For the same price I would go with the apogee as the software is a tad better. Apogee software does correction factor for you. You input some info and voila.

Also if you got an extra $120 this is a much nicer option and more accurate.

http://www.apogeeinstruments.com/sq-500-full-spectrum-quantum-sensor/
and this
https://blueacro.com/products/SQ500MM

and a cheap $10 multimeter and you are in business.

The BioTek is actually designed and made by Apogee.