Shared from my build thread:
I havent been happy with my lighting and schedule so I decided to run a test on my lights. I pulled the trigger on an inexpensive PAR meter. My thoughts there being that as long as it gave consistent readings which it seemed like it would based on the reviews. I would give it a try.
So far I am pretty happy with the meter. I've run a variety of tests with the tank lights at different intensities, with external lights on and off, testing the same spots repeatedly and the readings all seem very consistent.
So the reason for getting the PAR readings aside from obviously wanting to know, is that I am suspicious of my lid. I felt like I'm losing a TON of light through the lid and as suspected, its true in the lower levels of the tank. This is mainly due to the bracing and it's something that everyone may not think about when picking a lid.
The Tank is a NUVO fusion 15 with a single AI Prime mounted 8 inches off the lid and centered. I like to run a 1.5/8/1.5 schedule.
My lid is a TOP LIDS brand luxury lid with custom cutouts and an EVAP cover. I wiped everything down before testing.
I took readings with the lid both on and off. For the “LID ON” readings I used the feeding port for the PAR meter.
I want to note that the EVAP cover was a waste for me. My PAR readings with the EVAP cover are abysmal so I’ve set that in a dark corner of the basement
I wanted to share this for anyone wondering about lids and PAR on this particular tank and light. I'm very happy with the light and the lid and I'm hopeful I can help someone with a similar setup.
View of the lid from the top
Readings without the lid
Readings with the lid
AI Prime Settings
I havent been happy with my lighting and schedule so I decided to run a test on my lights. I pulled the trigger on an inexpensive PAR meter. My thoughts there being that as long as it gave consistent readings which it seemed like it would based on the reviews. I would give it a try.
So far I am pretty happy with the meter. I've run a variety of tests with the tank lights at different intensities, with external lights on and off, testing the same spots repeatedly and the readings all seem very consistent.
So the reason for getting the PAR readings aside from obviously wanting to know, is that I am suspicious of my lid. I felt like I'm losing a TON of light through the lid and as suspected, its true in the lower levels of the tank. This is mainly due to the bracing and it's something that everyone may not think about when picking a lid.
The Tank is a NUVO fusion 15 with a single AI Prime mounted 8 inches off the lid and centered. I like to run a 1.5/8/1.5 schedule.
My lid is a TOP LIDS brand luxury lid with custom cutouts and an EVAP cover. I wiped everything down before testing.
I took readings with the lid both on and off. For the “LID ON” readings I used the feeding port for the PAR meter.
I want to note that the EVAP cover was a waste for me. My PAR readings with the EVAP cover are abysmal so I’ve set that in a dark corner of the basement
I wanted to share this for anyone wondering about lids and PAR on this particular tank and light. I'm very happy with the light and the lid and I'm hopeful I can help someone with a similar setup.
View of the lid from the top
Readings without the lid
Readings with the lid
AI Prime Settings
