PAR measurements

[RadUReefer]

Hi all still pretty new to reefing.

 

[RadUReefer]

hi all still pretty new to reefing..unfortunately my budget is currently keeping me from purchasing the lighting that I really wanted so I went with some black box LEDs. I was able to secure a PAR meter at a local fish store so that I could take some measurements I'm curious ,and go easy on me, do I measure par with both the blue and the white lights on or just the white?

 

[thewackyreefer]

You'll want to measure however you plan on actually running the lights.

 

[RadUReefer]

Ok wasn't sure ...as the old light that came with the tank was registering 0 with just attenic blues...wasn't sure if blues pick up on the par meter or if the old light is just really that bad.

 

[Reesj]

Ok wasn't sure ...as the old light that came with the tank was registering 0 with just attenic blues...wasn't sure if blues pick up on the par meter or if the old light is just really that bad.

If it is registering 0 though might be something wrong with PAr meter or how you are measuring it.

 

[EMeyer]

Blue LEDs are detected but not as strongly. I like this tool for correcting PAR measurements for LED

Quantum (PAR) sensor spectral error estimation tool

www.apogeeinstruments.com

Dim blue lights used for moonlight will show up as nearly zero PAR because they truly don't put out much light. Bright blue lights should be detected.