Does the Seneye par meter work without the slides?
- Thread starter glb
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Deep
Active Member
you might want to watch this video if you planning on buying seneye for the par meter.
Looks like the readings are way off in comparison to Apogee meters (which are generally considered accurate).
You might want to do some further research before pulling the trigger on the Seneye. The BRS video is old and in it they mention turning on the “compensation” feature. Parker says the new software does not have that feature and was directed by Seneye to look up their online compensation tables. Since his reading are like 80% different than the Apogee it is worth digging further to find out what is up and why did they make the software changes. Just my 2 cents!
Buffalou
Active Member
I recently built DIY apogee par meter for about the cost of seneye and t works perfect with formula that converts readings on multimeter to PAR. I've used both seneye and apogee and apogee is IMO easier to use. I commend you on just going after PAR readings, you would not believe the amount of folks that have no idea what PAR is in the their tanks. Link below to DIY.
lelandmarine
Well-Known Member
It’s too bad there’s not more of an explanation from the Seneye group as to why this is happening
burningmime
Well-Known Member
Thanks for this! This seems like the best option, both cheaper than the Seneye and more accurate.
OP
OP
glb
7500 Club Member
What about this Apogee?
www.bulkreefsupply.com
USB Smart Quantum SQ-420X PAR Sensor
PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) is the easiest way to measure the available light for corals consume and use for photosynthesis. With LED lights giving more and more control to the consumer the best thing is a PAR meter that is affordable and simple to use. With PAR readings you can...
www.bulkreefsupply.com
I use that kind of setup but just one word of advice. The readings you get are only going to be as accurate as the voltmeter you use. Cheap $30 meters are pretty bad at reading voltages in the "mv" range. If you can justify the expense I suggest getting at least an entry level Fluke Meter. This will read more accurately than the Apogee meter and it has a whole lot of other uses around the house.
Wonder what they changed that its so far off.
I think mine is at least in the ballpark. I have two T5 bulbs and two XHOs, get ~130 PAR on the sand with the fixture at 8" off the water.
Last time I used it to read PAR was about three months ago when I changed up my lighting.
I think mine is at least in the ballpark. I have two T5 bulbs and two XHOs, get ~130 PAR on the sand with the fixture at 8" off the water.
Last time I used it to read PAR was about three months ago when I changed up my lighting.
U
User1
Guest
Disagree. As @Fin already provided the BRS video compared it to others and, well, it performed very well.
Here is the deal. For 200 bucks and some change you get:
1. Par meter
2. Out of water alert notification - doesn't require slide(s)
3. Ammonia meter should you QT, isolate, or do anything similar with new animals that you track Ammonia
Honestly it pays for itself with items 1 and 2 alone. The rest is just gravy.
Deep
Active Member
Someone on the thread had already explained why the BRS results are not valid anymore. There is a software compensation feature that is now not available. So looks like it doesnt work as well for PAR.
U
User1
Guest
Yes, read it. I also own one. I believe they discuss this in their FAQ if you dive down. The main complaint is how you have to hold their device pretty steady and level for best readings. I'm not too much into social media so don't watch Parker's stuff. However, there is an answer from Seneye there from the quick glance I looked at it.
Up to you I guess.
Wanted to see if anyone has anymore insight into this? Has anyone done a side-by-side between the different versions of the software? What is Seneye's position on the change?
I'm running an older version of the software. I'm guessing I should hold onto it.
Yes I would hold onto it.
What would be super helpful is if you pick a random spot in the Tank and Post the PAR reading with compensation on and off. That would give us a good idea of how much compensation is happening.
Thanks.
I got the same readings on both versions that I have. I have two computers I used, each with a different version.
My lighting is two Reef Brite XHO actinic, one Reef Brite 50/50 T5 and one ATI actinic T5. Fixture is 24" and 8" off the surface. Readings below were bottom 15" below water, center, front of display.
Would 148 PAR be far off for this setup? I wouldn't think close to double as seen in the other post.
The firmware on the Seneye is version 2.0.16.
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