How do I measure par?

[mta_morrow]

I hope this is in the correct forum since it’s light related.

I just got a seneye and getting ready to fire up a new tank.

My question is when measuring, should I have flow off so less surface agitation, or measure with everything running?

 

[dbl]

I've always measured with the flow turned off. Not saying it's correct, but am curious what others say.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

You want everything running. Wouldn't you want to know the actual PAR your corals are getting? But I'd also do it with everything off to see what the difference is.

 

[mta_morrow]

Thanks guys. My thinking is if all flow is off, water level drops and no surface agitation to constantly change how the light penetrates.
So in my mind that would not be accurate.

And if you measure with flow and power heads running as would be normal, it’s impossible to get a reading as the the light is always changing.

So....... ?

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

Thanks guys. My thinking is if all flow is off, water level drops and no surface agitation to constantly change how the light penetrates.
So in my mind that would not be accurate.

And if you measure with flow and power heads running as would be normal, it’s impossible to get a reading as the the light is always changing.

So....... ?

Do you know how much it's changing by while your pumps are on? If it's ~10 then I'd probably just go with the average.

 

[mta_morrow]

Do you know how much it's changing by while your pumps are on? If it's ~10 then I'd probably just go with the average.

Hi Tuffyyyy. Just received my seneye yesterday. Tank arrives this week. But before my move on my last tank, I used a par meter with power heads on and I found it rather difficult to get a reading with minimal fluctuations.

I’m going to to a bit more research and see if BRS has any videos

 

[mta_morrow]

Bump for any other input

 

[Crabs McJones]

When I use my seneye to do mine, I do it with all equipment running and take my highest and lowest measurement and pick a happy middle number. Or if I see a certain number repeated alot I'll choose that one. May not be the correct way but it's worked for me So far

 

[mta_morrow]

When I use my seneye to do mine, I do it with all equipment running and take my highest and lowest measurement and pick a happy middle number. Or if I see a certain number repeated alot I'll choose that one. May not be the correct way but it's worked for me So far

Thanks crabs! My new tank isn’t wet yet, building it now. Already got my seneye and looking forward to using it!

I appreciate your response.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Do both. For Science!!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Do both. For Science!!

I agree it would be interesting to get a par reading in dry air and in a wet tank

 

[mta_morrow]

Do both. For Science!!

I will do that Salty. It will be easy with an empty tank.

I will be giving some thought to it in advance.

I would be happy to have input from you and others as well!

 

[mta_morrow]

I agree it would be interesting to get a par reading in dry air and in a wet tank

Will do salty. I will add it to my newly started list!

 

[rkpetersen]

I make PAR maps with all pumps and lights running according to normal schedules. With the Apogee MQ-510, I press the sample button ten times at each location, and then take the average when reviewing the data later.

 

[mta_morrow]

I make PAR maps with all pumps and lights running according to normal schedules. With the Apogee MQ-510, I press the sample button ten times at each location, and then take the average when reviewing the data later.

What is your typical range, lowest to highest?

Is that how the manufacturer recommends doing it or your experience/ preference?

 

[rkpetersen]

What is your typical range, lowest to highest?

Is that how the manufacturer recommends doing it or your experience/ preference?

Near the surface at the center, around 400 or a bit more. On the sand at the left and right front corners, around 150. Under ledges, less than 5o.

I don't think the manufacturer has any specific recommendation as far as this is concerned. 10 is an easy number to count out on the display and it's also easy to take an average of 10 values.

 

[mta_morrow]

Near the surface at the center, around 400 or a bit more. On the sand at the left and right front corners, around 150. Under ledges, less than 5o.

I don't think the manufacturer has any specific recommendation as far as this is concerned. 10 is an easy number to count out on the display and it's also easy to take an average of 10 values.

Thanks rkpeterson.