Looking for a good cheap waterproof Par meter?

[arpr30]

You could get a cheap luxmeter from Amazon and put it in a plastic bag. That's what I've done.

LUX meter & PAR are different
PAR meters are expensive, LUX meter is cheap

LUX = Overall Intensity of all spectrum

PAR = Intensity of Photosynthetic Spectrum (this is what we want for coral growth)

 

[Bryknicks]

Rent a PAR meter (preferably a MQ-510) - BRS rents them and perhaps others as well.

What's the difference between the MQ-510 and the MQ-210? I run hybrid with LED and T5 and unsure of which would suit me best.

 

[oreo54]

What's the difference between the MQ-510 and the MQ-210? I run hybrid with LED and T5 and unsure of which would suit me best.

510.............

 

[oreo54]

LUX meter & PAR are different
PAR meters are expensive, LUX meter is cheap

LUX = Overall Intensity of all spectrum

PAR = Intensity of Photosynthetic Spectrum (this is what we want for coral growth)

LUX is eye sensitivity calibrated..

The black curve shows the luminosity function that relates irradiance to lumens and lux.

If one wanted to "improve" a Lux meter easiest way is to remove the green filter that is over the sensor..
You would still need to calibrate it in some manner though.

 

[Dana Riddle]

What's the difference between the MQ-510 and the MQ-210? I run hybrid with LED and T5 and unsure of which would suit me best.

The MQ-510 has a full spectrum sensor that reports LED radiation better than the 210. The MQ-210 is still a good meter however.

 

[oreo54]

Just for fun.. Samples of different LUX meter sensitivities vs wavelength:

It’s Not All Sparkle. It’s Spectrum and Cosine Correction: Your Guide to Buying a Light Meter - kW Engineering | Sustainable Buildings & Energy Efficiency Consulting

In a previous post, I wrote about smartphone apps and their inadequacy with respect to illuminance measurements (that is, their ability to measure footcandles or lux). That post took a deep dive into why smartphones are not up to snuff as a professional light meter. As I wrote that post I...

www.kw-engineering.com

 

[Kim spaw]

Brs where?

 

[melah5253]

Thank you guys I really appreciate your help but I'm in Dallas Tx! I figured if I bought one it would sit awhile until I bought a new light or something but I will see if I can get someone to let me borrow there's! But thanks again!

I’m In Dallas and looking. Did you ever find one? None of the stores around here rent one