Looking for a used par meter
- Thread starter Scott.h
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mcarroll
10K Club member
Short of finding one, make sure you are at least using a [HASHTAG]#lux[/HASHTAG] [HASHTAG]#meter[/HASHTAG]. (Check those tags)
Don't go without having a meter at all!
There are $free apps for your smart phone camera and a handheld unit will only $15 including free shipping from the usual online sellers. ( The handheld is better but you have to wait for it to arrive .)
Don't go without having a meter at all!
There are $free apps for your smart phone camera and a handheld unit will only $15 including free shipping from the usual online sellers. ( The handheld is better but you have to wait for it to arrive .)
OP
OP
Scott.h
Valuable Member
What brand? What do I need? I'm fully convinced anyone with programmable LEDs needs to be able to measure light. The thing is.. the ones I've been looking at are $375 new for something I'm only going to play with until I get things where I want. But I do need something. I figure someone out there has one sitting on a shelf they don't need and wants to sell, but if there's something out there more affordable new I have no problem picking one up. I just don't know what, as I've never used any of them.
Greenstreet.1
5000 Club Member
@mcarroll im using an iPhone what lux app would you recommend if any ?
I'm at the same dilemma. There are lots of PAR measurement info online. So that will at least serve as one reference. As to the lux app, I also thought about it and did a little research. There is apparently no valid conversion between lux and par so knowing lux won't help much.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Sure there is:
100,000 lux = 2000 par = 1000 W per square meter = direct sunlight at sea level
@Greenstreet.1 "Galactica luxmeter" seems reliable for many.
Which ever app you pick, just make sure it's set to use the correct camera which you are aiming at your lights.
Also, check your results the first time you use it to make sure they're good results.
100,000 lux = 2000 par = 1000 W per square meter = direct sunlight at sea level
@Greenstreet.1 "Galactica luxmeter" seems reliable for many.
Which ever app you pick, just make sure it's set to use the correct camera which you are aiming at your lights.
Also, check your results the first time you use it to make sure they're good results.
Yes there is. advanced aquarist. google lux par conversion. written by dana riddle. this one is was written in 2008. theres older ones too.
its this one
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/review
galactica lux meter app for iphone
lux light meter by crunchy byte box for android best of 14 I tested.
best is the $15 hand held from amazon.
and check your local LFS and local clubs for meter rentals.
Sadly the hold thier retail value pretty well. you may as well buy new.
There is, BTW, another LUX to Par conversion on the Apogee Par meter website.
lux light meter by crunchy byte box for android best of 14 I tested.
best is the $15 hand held from amazon.
and check your local LFS and local clubs for meter rentals.
Sadly the hold thier retail value pretty well. you may as well buy new.
There is, BTW, another LUX to Par conversion on the Apogee Par meter website.
Greenstreet.1
5000 Club Member
What's the name of the one for 15$ and model what to make sure I get the right one.
any one with any light needs to measure thier light. It is one parameter in raising photosynthetic animals and plants.
And yea, the orchid growers my wife hands with use meters too. Usually footcandle.
Greenstreet.1
5000 Club Member
So how much lux should we be looking at when keeping sps
Mark3
Active Member
for less than $200 you could get a
USB Smart Quantum SQ-420 PAR Sensor - Apogee
usb and a computer to use it
Don't know what you could get a used one for?
Google: par meter usb ... there are more
USB Smart Quantum SQ-420 PAR Sensor - Apogee
usb and a computer to use it
Don't know what you could get a used one for?
Google: par meter usb ... there are more
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sorry, Myth. all sps need high light. its not true. SOME Sps live at the top of the water. BUT....SOME Zoas do too. Most dont know that. Many sps live deep.
And now knowing this now if you look again at many mixed reef tanks youll see this is the case.
is best to research and read up a little on the species. and yes you still have to move the Coral around.
But in the D riddle article above Dana says around 350par is really pretty much enough.
Youll like this.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-03/cj/index.php
SOOO amazed its not smartphone compatable.
Greenstreet.1
5000 Club Member
Not saying all sps need high light. Ok so 350-450par is what in lux ?
it depend on the lighting unit. Look at the conversion carts and youll understand more.
A very bright @40,000 lux can have very low par say 200.
A nice t5 set can be 40,000 lux and have a par of 400
That also is how some led makers rip us off. (looking at you JBJ nano advanced)
OP
OP
Scott.h
Valuable Member
So those cheaper ones will do the job and are also waterproof?
with that meter or the phone, you take the measurement at the top of the water. Milwalkee does make a meter with a waterproof probe if you want to take readings under the water.
But what mccarol and I advise is just get the average lux at the top of the tank and assume a natural drop off. Unless you have a deep tank or a fixture with little or suspect penetration.
OP
OP
Scott.h
Valuable Member
Well just when I thought I was making progress this hobby threw new words in there. Ok after having some time to read back through those links the good news seems to be I don't have to spend 400 on a par meter. So I understand there is a lux formula but what about the fact that half my LEDs are blue spectrum? It appears lux doesn't measure blue very well? What about factoring in water surface turbulence, a glass lid, depth, and the sides of the tank where it's obviously less intense? So what number am I looking for in lux 18" down with a 1/8 inch thick glass lid? I can answer that in par, but apparently my eyes are a good enough par meter and that's mostly irrelevant?
