Par meter recommendations

recess62 · Feb 8, 2016

wondering what people are using to measure par at the sand bed

AquaticLifeProducts · Feb 8, 2016

Good morning, we use the Apogee MQ-200 as it seems pretty popular and less expensive than some. This way our test result can be reproduced by others with the same equipment. Plus the sensor is waterproof.

In house we use a StellarNet Black Comet that can do a lot more than just PAR.

revhtree · Feb 17, 2016

I am looking as well!

reefwiser · Feb 17, 2016

I have used the Mq 200 model and I am looking at getting a
USB Smart Quantum SQ-420 PAR Sensor that hooks to a laptop to measure club members tank lighting.

samba_dad · Feb 17, 2016

Seneye reef monitor works great!

reefwiser · Feb 18, 2016

Seneye needs a PC to monitor doesn't work with my Mac.

Tegridy Reef · Feb 18, 2016

I like apogge the best I have the apex one I like the apogee better

luke33 · Feb 18, 2016

I've used an Apogee for years, they work great and are very simple and user friendly.

Diesel · Feb 18, 2016

+10 on the Apogee.
I check my par at least once in the two weeks.
Easy to use, durable, and don't need any extras like laptops or phones.
As extra you can help a reefer buddy out if they need to have a PAR reading.
In Houston we have two club par meters so it will makes every one happy.

Oksana Kudina · Feb 19, 2016

That guy said:
I like apogge the best I have the apex one I like the apogee better

I am looking into Apex par meter since we already have apex controller. Can you elaborate why you like apogge better? According to apex videos, it is easy to build a chart with their meter and adjust the light accordingly with one Apex cotroler/software.

Diesel · Feb 19, 2016

I have used the Apex for a while but it's more a stationary par meter.
You have to place it in your tank on one spot and that's it, you can move it around if you like as you want par readings from lots of different spots in your tank but you have to moved it by hand.
With the Apogee you order a wand and move it around without getting wet and when you need it it's ready to play anytime.
For the money it should be a deal breaker APEX $299.95 or Apogee $349 Apogee is just a better tool to used and because it's mobile you can check other tanks too as a frag tank or if you run several tanks in your house.

Let me add to this the newest Baby from Apogee.....
https://reefbuilders.com/2016/02/19/apogee-sq-mq-500-quantum-meter-par-sensor/

s2nhle · Feb 19, 2016

I like apogee too. My local group own one and we just borrowed it couple days to measure the light and returned it so the next member can use it.

Oksana Kudina · Feb 19, 2016

That's a great idea. I wish there was a group in South Jersey.

reefwiser · Feb 20, 2016

My club has one.

Now we need to get this new one.

Tegridy Reef · Feb 20, 2016

Oksana Kudina said:
I am looking into Apex par meter since we already have apex controller. Can you elaborate why you like apogge better? According to apex videos, it is easy to build a chart with their meter and adjust the light accordingly with one Apex cotroler/software.

Just like diesel said. But yes depends want u wanting if just wanna leave it in there and get par readings all day then apex is great. But to just see what par the coral is at the wand will be a lot better since u basically have to move the frag and place the rock there and wait for the reading to be read with the wand u can just put it right over the frag and get the exact reading. But I'll look back to see if you specified exactly what function u are wanting. If not depends on the function u are wanting to achieve like u stated being able to adjust LEDs will b perfect and with the apogge U would have to stand there all day with the wand