Par meter help

[topjimmy]

Greetings all.

I borrowed my clubs par meter to check out what my tank was getting. It's an Apogee mq-200.

I have it set to elec.

My light is currently 2 39w t5 one ATI blue plus,one tru actinic, in the center is a Hamilton 250w 14k mh. The fixture is a Hamilton Belize sun elect ballast.

Light is 12 inches over the top of the water. Dead center all lights on top of the water

150 par give or take. The bulbs are just about a year old.

Question is, can it really be that low?

 

[Gareth elliott]

What depth in the tank did you take the par reading?

 

[topjimmy]

What depth in the tank did you take the par reading?

Surface of the water.

But,................

I think that I need to turn in my reefer card.

I've had this light for TWO YEARS always had trouble with coral. The par meter readings were stumping me. Then, a thought..a nagging , gnawing thought popped into my head...

The ballast...it couldn't possibly have a selection switch for power..... could it......could it..???

DOH!!!!!!

I have been running 250w MH at 150 . FOR TWO YEARS.

@#$#$&;*%$!!!!!!!!


SO now that I have your attention.... I could run it at 275....

What do you think?

 

[Brad Miller]

What par readings were you getting just under the bulbs...
T5's should probably be a lot lower to the water surface.
And the bulbs should probably be replaced more frequently

 

[topjimmy]

What par readings were you getting just under the bulbs...
T5's should probably be a lot lower to the water surface.
And the bulbs should probably be replaced more frequently

Now that I turned the ballast on to the right out put I'm getting better numbers.

Still have new bulbs on the way

 

[Brad Miller]

Cool !
Good luck