LUX Meter target number ????

[Scrubber_steve]

Hello; I use a LUX meter. Although not as good as a par, its a lot cheaper & its better than nothing.
From reading I see there is some conjecture on the figure that should be obtained for LUX.
So my question is; what LUX number range should I set the LED light intensity at, at the water surface for an 18" deep bare bottom mixed reef?

Presently its at around 11,000 from memory.

cheers

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hello; I use a LUX meter. Although not as good as a par, its a lot cheaper & its better than nothing.
From reading I see there is some conjecture on the figure that should be obtained for LUX.
So my question is; what LUX number range should I set the LED light intensity at, at the water surface for an 18" deep bare bottom mixed reef?

Presently its at around 11,000 from memory.

cheers

Here's a good read:

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/review

And this one:

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/2/equipment

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Here's a good read:

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2008/2/review

thanks

 

[Flippers4pups]

thanks

Your welcome.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Good articles @Dana Riddle, thanks

 

[Scrubber_steve]

So now, what would be a good average par reading at the water surface for a mixed reef?

 

[Dana Riddle]

Good articles @Dana Riddle, thanks

Thank you! Last I looked, some of the photo links weren't working. Advanced Aquarist's owner, Terry Siegel, recently sold the site and it seems to be in a state of transition.

 

[Dana Riddle]

The conversion factors from lux to PAR vary. I assume the measurements were taken in a dry tank? You've got a PAR of maybe 200 if my assumption is correct - which is OK.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

The conversion factors from lux to PAR vary. I assume the measurements were taken in a dry tank? You've got a PAR of maybe 200 if my assumption is correct - which is OK.

I took a reading after the OP, got 14,040 LUX with the sensor just sitting on the water surface. Mostly blue light.
4 channels, with all colors other than the 12000k, running at an average of around 43% & the 12000k at 30%, so blues dominate.

so dividing 14,040 by 68 gives about 206par at the surface. I'm going to try a zip lock bag to get some LUX reading below the surface.
I could ramp up the intensity going by that number.

Thanks Dana.

 

[Dana Riddle]

I took a reading after the OP, got 14,040 LUX with the sensor just sitting on the water surface. Mostly blue light.
4 channels, with all colors other than the 12000k, running at an average of around 43% & the 12000k at 30%, so blues dominate.

so dividing 14,040 by 68 gives about 206par at the surface. I'm going to try a zip lock bag to get some LUX reading below the surface.
I could ramp up the intensity going by that number.

Thanks Dana.

I guessed 200, you say 206. I'll try to do better next time. Seriously, let me know if you have more questions and we'll try to get this sorted out.