Using Seneye for par and pur

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

I just got a seneye only for the Light meter functionality. I did a quick test of tank last night. I don't know if I am doing something wrong, but I was getting zero PUR. PAR was about 450 at the top and 80-100 at the bottom, but the PUR graph stayed flat. I am getting coral growth (not much on some, alot on others) so I know I have SOME PUR. Kelvin shows "no kelvin" which I read is expected. I run mainly blue with about 4% white, so I would expect a higher blue reading.

Do you need a Kelvin number for a PUR reading?

This is a Steve's LED on a RSM C-130. Blue channel (2 blue colors) is set to 70% and white is 4%.

jda · Dec 18, 2018

Yeah, there is something wrong... nearly all LEDs have PAR and PUR that match since the PAR range is smaller than the PUR range.

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

jda said:
Yeah, there is something wrong... nearly all LEDs have PAR and PUR that match since the PAR range is smaller than the PUR range.

Something is wrong as in if there is PAR there has to be PUR? That's what I thought. I'll try again.

jda · Dec 18, 2018

If anything, I might expect PUR to be slightly more than PAR if the diodes put out any true UV or IR and the sensor can catch it... with something like a Halide, I would expect a lot more PUR than PAR.

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

jda said:
If anything, I might expect PUR to be slightly more than PAR if the diodes put out any true UV or IR and the sensor can catch it... with something like a Halide, I would expect a lot more PUR than PAR.

Pur is a %, par is a numerical value.

jda · Dec 18, 2018

How does the device capture when you have more PUR than PAR? Please let us know if you get a reading over 100%. For example, my MH might only put out say 500 PAR (400-700nm), but the PUR could be more like 600 since this source has a ton of Usable radiation below and above the PAR range.

I guess that I should read up on this meter. Which unit did you get?

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

jda said:
How does the device capture when you have more PUR than PAR? Please let us know if you get a reading over 100%. For example, my MH might only put out say 500 PAR (400-700nm), but the PUR could be more like 600 since this source has a ton of Usable radiation below and above the PAR range.

I guess that I should read up on this meter. Which unit did you get?

Seneye

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

jda said:
How does the device capture when you have more PUR than PAR? Please let us know if you get a reading over 100%. For example, my MH might only put out say 500 PAR (400-700nm), but the PUR could be more like 600 since this source has a ton of Usable radiation below and above the PAR range.

I guess that I should read up on this meter. Which unit did you get?

PUR is the percentage of PAR in the correct spectrum for coral growth. It can't be more than the total PAR.

jda · Dec 18, 2018

So they are just counting the violet & blue and red peaks like so many LED manufacturers are assuming are the most important spectrums for coral. I was SO hoping that somebody would develop a meter to capture the full range from 350-850nm that corals can use - the true usable spectrum. It is not useful for me to continue, so I will bow out... sorry for the posts and good luck with your meter. Free bump.

BoSalman · Dec 18, 2018

I recently had trouble running the light meter after i upgraded (you have to upgrade now to get light meter function..)..

After communicating with seneye for 4 days they fixed it finally.

Mine was reading Zero PAR with PUR high and kelvin higher! I put the unit really close to my t5s it jumps from zero to 1 par max.. total waste

After disconnecting and reconnecting the unit for some time.. it ended up on my trash and couldn't resist an apogee when i saw it on sale..

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

BoSalman said:
I recently had trouble running the light meter after i upgraded (you have to upgrade now to get light meter function..)..

After communicating with seneye for 4 days they fixed it finally.

Mine was reading Zero PAR with PUR high and kelvin higher! I put the unit really close to my t5s it jumps from zero to 1 par max.. total waste

After disconnecting and reconnecting the unit for some time.. it ended up on my trash and couldn't resist an apogee when i saw it on sale..

I bought the Seneye reef. The you only need to upgrade if you bought the cheaper models.

That being said, thanks for telling me it is a piece of junk. Several people would disagree with you, including BRS.

My original question was "do I need a Kelvin reading" to get a PUR measurement. From my research, I think that the answer is no.

Brew12 · Dec 18, 2018

jasonrusso said:
I bought the Seneye reef. The you only need to upgrade if you bought the cheaper models.

That being said, thanks for telling me it is a piece of junk. Several people would disagree with you, including BRS.

My original question was "do I need a Kelvin reading" to get a PUR measurement. From my research, I think that the answer is no.

I can tell you my Seneye had no problem reading Par and PUR straight out of the box.

Maybe @AQD-Seneye can offer some advice.

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

Brew12 said:
I can tell you my Seneye had no problem reading Par and PUR straight out of the box.

Maybe @AQD-Seneye can offer some advice.

Like I said, I may be doing something wrong. I'll try again tonight

hart24601 · Dec 18, 2018

Another bump, mine worked great out of box and I really value it as a light meter. Hope get it solved but if the par number is working it's really all you need. Not many are making lighting choices based off the pur %.

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

hart24601 said:
Another bump, mine worked great out of box and I really value it as a light meter. Hope get it solved but if the par number is working it's really all you need. Not many are making lighting choices based off the pur %.

True. I really like the way the tank looks with mostly blue, I just want to make sure it is the right spectrum of blue.

About 300-350 at the top (where the spa is) and 80-100 at the bottom where my acan, zoas, xenia, meteor shower are. The corners are like 50. My mushroom, Kenya tree, and rock flower seem happy!!

hart24601 · Dec 18, 2018

Sounds about perfect!

And most the blue spectrum lights for our tanks use is pur heavy. Of course you bought something and it should work!

jasonrusso · Dec 18, 2018

So I am not crazy. I am getting no PUR measurement. . I don't think that's possible. Look at the tank!

hart24601 · Dec 18, 2018

I found their service very responsive so I bet they get it sorted for you.

jasonrusso · Dec 19, 2018

Ok, so the device does work as designed (look at me 86-88% pur). The app (Windows 10) is the issue. You need to plug the device in before the app boots up, however when you install it the app boots at startup!! I'll figure out where the all starts (I already disabled shell:startup but it didn't stick).

User1 · Dec 20, 2018

It is a good device for what you pay - they actually found a nice little niche and did a great job. Just my opinion.

Tip - if you haven't already get some help when taking the measurements. It is a bit cumbersome to use single. At least I thought so. I used the free measurement instead of top, bottom, and middle pre-set. The counter helps but for me the key was reaching over to click then rush to the tank and place. Asked my daughter to help and it was 10x easier.