PAR readings

[miamiangler]

I got the Seneye Reef which comes with a PAR meter built into the unit . I am ready to install my led lights into my 65 mixed reef . I have 8PC running on the tank now . I took the PAR readings from the top of the tank and also at the Middle . The top readings are from 70 to 95 and the middle readings are from 36 to 70 . My corals are growing but hope they will do better with the led`s . My question is what Par values are some of the tanks that have led`s getting on the top and mid range in the tank ? Thanks ,Willi

 

[Ron Reefman]

Hey Willi,

I think you need to be VERY careful comparing the PAR readings you get with the Seneye meter with those that other people get with Apogee meters. At the very least I'd find somebody with a good PAR meter (not that the Seneye isn't a good meter... but it is very inexpensive) and do a good side by side comparison test. The reason I say that is because under my leds at the water surface I get readings of 900-1000 and 22" deep I get 200-225. So even though we have very different light fixtures, we also have very different PAR levels from our meters. So I'm just suggesting you be very careful.

if you find somebody to do a comparison with, posting it here would be a really useful bit of info.

 

[aslmx]

Hey Willi,

I think you need to be VERY careful comparing the PAR readings you get with the Seneye meter with those that other people get with Apogee meters. At the very least I'd find somebody with a good PAR meter (not that the Seneye isn't a good meter... but it is very inexpensive) and do a good side by side comparison test. The reason I say that is because under my leds at the water surface I get readings of 900-1000 and 22" deep I get 200-225. So even though we have very different light fixtures, we also have very different PAR levels from our meters. So I'm just suggesting you be very careful.

if you find somebody to do a comparison with, posting it here would be a really useful bit of info.

hey Ron , do you have par readings on OR so26

 

[miamiangler]

Thanks Ron , I just wanted a base line what the PAR readings on the Surface would be and at mid range with led lights . Since I have the Seneye Meter I have my readings with what I am running now . I`ve Had the Power compacts running since 2005 . It gets expensive changing the bulbs every year . (January). Once I get the Leds hooked up I want to start close to what I have now and Turn up the Par values over a few weeks .So not to shock my corals . Willi