Apogee SQ-420 USB Par Meter

[Reesj]

Any link to the video? I was searching brs for it and couldn’t find it

This one gives the idea. Video only 2 weeks old.

 

[chadg]

Any link to the video? I was searching brs for it and couldn’t find it

It is actually comparing the 210, but that is the same sensor with a dedicated controller vs. using your computer.

 

[Jfast]

Can the usb par meter work with iPad Pro ? Or only with windows

 

[oreo54]

Can the usb par meter work with iPad Pro ? Or only with windows

The new SQ-520 full-spectrum, smart quantum sensor can be connected directly to a computer (Windows or macOS X) via USB

 

[Tony the Fish]

Selfie stick makes great holder for par meter sensor and can find them under $20-

 

[CompulsiveFragCollector86]

I just rented the 510 from BRS. But saw the 420 and was wondering the same thing. The only thing I would add is that if you wanted the handle you get with the rental, it's like $60 also. But something could also be DIY with PVC or something also.

I got the apogee sq-420 and made my own stick out of 3/8 ro tubing lol I'm trying to make sure I set it accordingly to measure my leds now it has multiple options what should I be setting it on to measure my 32hd and 16hs over my reef tanks ?

 

[A. grandis]

I've rented the Apogee MQ-510 a few times from BRS to measure par. Has anyone used the SQ-420 USB version? Is this an adequate substitute for the 510? The SQ-420 is $234. To me, this might be a better investment vs. renting the 510 for $70.

Does the SQ-420 measure as accurate as the MQ-510?

I have LED and T5 combo.

Thanks!

Oh man!!! Give a treat to that dog for uncle A. grandis, would you?
Nice dog!!

 

[Aardvark1134]

the 510 works better on reef lighting they have similar spectral range but the spectral sensitivity is much better on 510. With that said either one should get you close enough for our purpose.
The 420 is the 210 and the 520 is the 510.

 

[oreo54]

the 510 works better on reef lighting they have similar spectral range but the spectral sensitivity is much better on 510. With that said either one should get you close enough for our purpose.
The 420 is the 210 and the 520 is the 510.

Since it isn't much more IF going for the 510, suggest upgrading to this:

Quantum (PAR & ePAR) Sensors / Meters - ePAR Sensors - Apogee Instruments, Inc.

www.apogeeinstruments.com

Not super necessary atm nor for LED's but hey.. you never know.

 

[Aardvark1134]

Correct me if I am wrong here... but my understanding is the blue case ones correct for being under water and yellow case ones don't, as the one you linked is a yellow case.

 

[ceaver]

I just purchased the SQ-420, was trying to find error correction values and found this. Note specifically the line with Kessil tuna blue, and visual spectrum shown (LED with a typical spectrum), then compare the correction factors between the 120 (same sensor as the 420) and the full-spec 500 series. Virtually the same, using the spectrum we use in LED.

How to Correct for Spectral Errors of Popular Light Sources

Spectral graphs and correction factors for 36 popular light sources and instruction to correct for errors. Apogee quantum sensors help you get the most accurate PAR measurements.

www.apogeeinstruments.com

(I tried to paste screen shot of it, couldn't figure it out)

 

[chicago]

following.. about to ditch my old mq-200 to confused on error corrections for led blue spec and then immersion factors...

 

[oreo54]

following.. about to ditch my old mq-200 to confused on error corrections for led blue spec and then immersion factors...

IF you do, probably best to go RIGHT to the extended range one.

With the recent release and success of our new ePAR (SQ-610-SS Series, 380-760 nm) sensor line, Apogee has decided to retire the ePFD (SQ-620-SS Series, 340-1040 nm) sensor line as of May 19, 2021.​

The ePFD sensors have been excellent sensors, but the new refinements to the optical filters in the ePAR line means they can be used to measure all light sources, not just LEDs, making the ePAR sensors more versatile. This decision to discontinue the ePFD sensor line was also supported by new research from Dr. Bruce Bugbee's lab at Utah State University that has shown that no photosynthesis is caused by wavelengths above about 750 nm. The older ePFD sensor's extremely high upper cutoff sensitivity level of 1040 nm meant that radiation sources with peaks above 750 nm, such as metal halide lamps, could not be reliably measured for their extended photosynthetically active radiation levels with the ePFD sensors.

Retiring the ePFD Sensor Series

www.apogeeinstruments.com

 

[chicago]

are these new units good to go underwater... o

 

[oreo54]

are these new units good to go underwater... o

AFAICT yes.. Meant for environmental studies.

IP Rating IP68

 

[chicago]

ok.. so it can go underwater.. NOT to sound stupid but here goes... I am just catching up on all the new ones since I bought mine years ago (mq-200) the MQ-510 is good to go underwater, and no need to do any immersion calculations ect... the SQ 616 .. usb unit only... is good to go underwater .. but is there the issue of conversions ect ? thanks... If i seem totally confused.. yes I am.. thanks

 

[oreo54]

ok.. so it can go underwater.. NOT to sound stupid but here goes... I am just catching up on all the new ones since I bought mine years ago (mq-200) the MQ-510 is good to go underwater, and no need to do any immersion calculations ect... the SQ 616 .. usb unit only... is good to go underwater .. but is there the issue of conversions ect ? thanks... If i seem totally confused.. yes I am.. thanks

Don't feel bad .Li-Cor had a software bug that wasn't noticed and YEARS of underwater data collected using them was wrong.
People have been screwing this up for a long time..

The sensors that plug into usb and have software will have a "switch" to toggle between air/water.

"Old" sensors emmersion factor was like 1.09X. (corrected 1.07)
This just became a more noticeable error w/ the newer design and a factor of like 1.3 (don't quote me on this going from memory).

Get the laptop one and software.. Plug it in. hit "water"..
ONE caution, if you by the "blue box" kind you need to correct for air...
Saw this numerous times when someone w/ the water meter went and tested the outdoors and got HUGE(er) PAR levels than is possible.
Needed to divide by 1.3..

just be thankful no more "electric" or "daylight" switch.
History...

The correction ends up being about a 7% increase for the old Apogee MQ-200 PAR Meter, and a 32% bump for the new MQ-500 PAR Meter. However if you’re interested in getting an even more accurate reading of Photosynthetically Active Radiation in your aquarium, Apogee has officially released an underwater PAR correction calculator.

Apogee Releases Calculator for Underwater PAR Measurement | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

A couple weeks ago we reported that Apogee had released a roughly estimated correction factor for measuring light underwater. Due to the the interaction of water and light and the immersion effect of…

reefbuilders.com

Oh suppose I should add that "blue correction" in the old sensors way exceeded the error from immersion.. at times.
7% is less than human error..

 

[chicago]

k.... thanks for the info... NOT sure what to do with my old.. original MQ-200. Seems like it might be useless.. i did use it for many years.. and like noted above would always hit a multiplier of 1.08...

 

[nim6us]

I found this thread to get some more information on how to calibrate my SP-420. However after doing a bit of searching I found this resource direct from Apogee: https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/underwater-par-measurements/

If you're using the 510/210 there's no calculation required to get an accurate reading. Although if you're using the 520/420 then you will have to do an immersion conversion to get the true reading underwater.

However per their documentation:

"..the SQ-420X and SQ-520 have an "Immersion Setting" that applies the immersion effect correction factor to the sensor readings through the ApogeeConnect Software. These sensors do not need post-measurement corrections applied to their measurements."

Which means as long as you have that immersion setting (see below) ticked on the app you should be good to go!

 

[Soukadesu]

So, for accurate reading on different kinds of reef led it is better to have sq-520 instead of sq-420?
Moreover, what is the difference between sq-520 and sq-510? I can get full bundle at $100 less.