Par to lux conversion - real world T5 numbers

[Acro maniac]

yup.
Pretty sure I'm wasting my time with this red sea Mag kit. it cost a lot more than a lux meter.

Lol I feel the same about saifert sometimes

 

[Acro maniac]

There is a calibration that ive been trying so thats why the numbers have been all over the place. Maybe it will work out if i can get it cald right?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

There is a calibration that ive been trying so thats why the numbers have been all over the place. Maybe it will work out if i can get it cald right?

you'd need to know close to as much as I do about measuring light to make it work or understand the results and need a calibrated meter to do a comparative and verify the calibration..

 

[Acro maniac]

Ok so all other things aside if take a lux reading of a known location in my tank,i know grows a certain sps. Take that number and locate the same reading in another tank. That would give me the location at which to place a frag of said colony. Or am i wasting my time and yours? Thanks

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ok so all other things aside if take a lux reading of a known location in my tank,i know grows a certain sps. Take that number and locate the same reading in another tank. That would give me the location at which to place a frag of said colony. Or am i wasting my time and yours? Thanks

As long as the two light sources are the same yes. IE similar tube combinations OR color similar ratios from a specific led. It would be difficult to do with a Mars aqua and a Radion for example, but would be close ish. It would be really tricky to do with a Radion and a T5 tank.
You need to understand more about the spectrum of the two lights as well the intensity.
That said, for an estimate if your LFS has a grow out with t5 @ 20,000 lux/40= 500 par, take it home and under your Mars aqua @ 30,000 lux + 500 par. It pretty close. ISH
BUT you still need to acclimate the coral IMO. Both to light and chemistry as well as the transport stress.

BUT if the of the water on YOUR 40 breeder is 40,000 lux @ 40%w 40% blue and growing great. You buddy on R@R has a 40 breeder but his wife hates seeing the lights and has to hang them higher. He can now set the mars to 40,000 lux at the top too, but his % is 73%w 73% blue. Same would be said for a radion, Kessil, etc.

 

[Acro maniac]

I hav alot of research to do. Thanks saltyfilmfolks

 

[Acro maniac]

Im looking at purchasing a lux meter. Are there any that are recomended? Ive read that a lx1010b is sufficent but the range is only 50,000 lux?? Also have a concern with the probe being able to be submerged. What are the recomended meters/probes?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Im looking at purchasing a lux meter. Are there any that are recomended? Ive read that a lx1010b is sufficent but the range is only 50,000 lux?? Also have a concern with the probe being able to be submerged. What are the recomended meters/probes?

Milwaukee makes a submersible. About $70

 

[Scott.h]

The Milwaukee that I have in the first post is ok. The probe is waterproof. Don't hold the probe by the cord though or it may end up leaking. I think you could get by with a cheaper one, or you may research the seneye. For a little more I've heard they are ok, and do more then measure light. My motto is buy once cry once.

 

[Acro maniac]

I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger. In the back of my mind i think ill endup getting a par meter eventually. So its hard to pay 70bucks for something when your not sure its going to yeild the results

 

[Scott.h]

I was the other way around. No way was I spending 300 on a par meter. Instead I ended up paying 500 for one. I'm actually considering the seneye. Not for the par meter, but for measuring ammonia and tank cycling. I already have an apex but I figure I can use the ph and other abilities on another tank. For someone that doesn't have an apex it might be multi functional and with a par meter. The downside is changing out the tabs for $11 monthly.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger. In the back of my mind i think ill endup getting a par meter eventually. So its hard to pay 70bucks for something when your not sure its going to yeild the results

try the $14 one. A LOT of your questions will be answered on how light works. Usually within 24 hours of walking around the house and outside in general, and metering the tank from ramp up to ramp down.

 

[Acro maniac]

try the $14 one. A LOT of your questions will be answered on how light works. Usually within 24 hours of walking around the house and outside in general, and metering the tank from ramp up to ramp down.

Is that the lx 1010b that your refering to

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Is that the lx 1010b that your refering to

yea I use the red one one amazon, whatever its called. if your really curious about light add a $9 spectrometer. (don't look directly into the sun or MH or LED unless you have an arc welding helmet)

 

[john.m.cole3]

good thread and good explanations, thanks guys

 

[john.m.cole3]

Is that the lx 1010b that your refering to

i have that one, very useful

 

[Acro maniac]

Here we go!

 

[Scott.h]

This video could be helpful for those who are trying to calculate measurements in air vs water without a waterproof probe. And for better understanding about reflection and refraction. Also the difference between t5 and led pods. I was surprised at a few of the tests. Specifically surface agitation and par readings near the sides of the glass in water. Also why I like the spread of t5 aside from the price point.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/brstv-investigates-testing-par-in-water-or-air/?trk_msg=4FC0KVURO1QKR1VEDMF60FGHEK&trk_contact=NDJMK6ACVSV82CNABJH3H5TTQ4&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/brstv-investigates-testing-par-in-water-or-air/&utm_campaign=brstv&utm_content=brstv_012717

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Also the difference between t5 and led pods.

+10000 Its really why folks need a meter to set led. you wont believe the readings if you set the SPREAD wrong. And FWIW you can insert lux for par in that. thats what Ive done for 25 years, meter light. the drop in intensity in areas over the tank can be dramatic, even if you don't see it by eye. T5s are really even, MH with the right reflector, pucks can be tough. Its about the size of the source. Its why the AP700 was so mind blowing when I metered it. I meter a LOT of lights for evenness.

 

[Syntax1235]

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