PAR Meter Recommendation

[Coral Memere]

Nope. Not yet. I am setting up my tank, probably next summer. Gotta get my floors redone. And that's a next year thing. So it went on my ever growing list of things to get.

Ohhhhhh well, I'll let you know. Lol until now, my tanks have all been the standard 24" deep, or so, so I could just use the mfg map as a guideline. Now I have bigger tanks, 30+" deep, lights all over the place and I don't know who is getting what.

Like you, we're doing a build (word to the wise, get your flooding out of the way BEFORE the new floors go in. ) so now I need to suck it up and buy the tools.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Ohhhhhh well, I'll let you know. Lol until now, my tanks have all been the standard 24" deep, or so, so I could just use the mfg map as a guideline. Now I have bigger tanks, 30+" deep, lights all over the place and I don't know who is getting what.

Like you, we're doing a build (word to the wise, get your flooding out of the way BEFORE the new floors go in. ) so now I need to suck it up and buy the tools.

Ohhh. Harsh. Yeah, let me know how it works. PM me. Otherwise it'll get lost in the notifications.

 

[Gabbone]

I got the Danoplus today. I believe it’s a nice product. I also had the feeling it reads that 10% less underwater.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I got the Danoplus today. I believe it’s a nice product. I also had the feeling it reads that 10% less underwater.

That's good to know. I still need to buy mine. SO many things to purchase for this build. All told, I'll spend about 12K for this monstrosity of a system.

 

[Gabbone]

I discovered par values of radion xr15 g6 blue are veeeery low compared to competitors

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I discovered par values of radion xr15 g6 blue are veeeery low compared to competitors

It's my understanding that the g6 has a wider spread of light , they changed the lense angle and don't recommend a defuser in the g6.

 

[exnisstech]

I discovered par values of radion xr15 g6 blue are veeeery low compared to competitors

They have a great marketing dept. Overpriced and overhyped IMO and you have to be willing to deal with mobius randomly changing date and time so your lights may come on at 3am. I have gen 4 xr15s sitting on a shelf because of the date time issue. My noopsyche K7 3 pros put out way more par than my gen4 xr15s and the gen 4 were supposed to be the best gen from what I have read.
Example of mobius changing date and time

Sorry for sidetracking the thread

 

[Peace River]

I am leaning toward buying the Apogee MQ-510 in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Gabbone]

To answer:

- I've tried G6 blue with diffusor. Par result: 20% less par output compared without the diffusor.
- I just order the radion high intensity kit narrow lens. It's suppose to reduce the spreading angle from 120 degree to 80 degree. Gonna update on PAR result. They promised 60% higher par output.
- I've been using G6 blue with lps/soft coralab template for almost 1 year (No sps) and I've got AMAZING result. Friends are amazed how I achieved such a good coloration/growth with such a low par value. My understanding is that the besides the low par output, the spectrum is just very well thought.
- I agree on the fact that that's such a non-justified hype on the radion and that's much better options around.

My biggest takeaway here is that if right sprectrum is there you don't necessarily need high par to achieve growth/coloration.

 

[Peace River]

FWIW, I ended up ordering an Apogee SQ-520. This may not be the best option for everyone purchasing a PAR meter, but I already have a laptop in my fishroom and the sensor has received good reviews so I am hopeful. I will start a new thread to share my feedback once I am able to get some data.

 

[1fishkeeper]

That's good to know. I still need to buy mine. SO many things to purchase for this build. All told, I'll spend about 12K for this monstrosity of a system.

I just got the DANOPLUS the other day and I am just down the road from you in Puyallup. If you need to use it just let me know and I can send it to you.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I just got the DANOPLUS the other day and I am just down the road from you in Puyallup. If you need to use it just let me know and I can send it to you.

I appreciate the offer!! Thanks for your trust! I am going to buy my own tho. I WILL, however, borrow your tank. I promise to give it back. Someday!!!!

FWIW, I ended up ordering an Apogee SQ-520. This may not be the best option for everyone purchasing a PAR meter, but I already have a laptop in my fishroom and the sensor has received good reviews so I am hopeful. I will start a new thread to share my feedback once I am able to get some data.

Let me know how yours' worked for ya! I've got it sketched on my ever growing list!!!!

 

[AquaLogic]

I just got the Danoplus. It seems well built. I don't have an apogee to compare it too, but it is pretty much dead on the same as the Photone app.

 

[Aquacrazed]

My video comparing the Danoplus to an Apogee MQ-210:

 

[johnnycamp5]

I am looking for a par meter pretty much the opposite of what the OP has described

Could care less about quality or “ultimate accuracy”. More so just looking for something that will show “somewhat” consistent numbers.

Only needed for when switching from one type or brand of light to another.
Just to measure the par of the existing light, where the corals seem to be doing well.……
so then I can roughly duplicate that par with the new light,
mainly to adjust its mounting height and wattage (power) setting to best closely match the previous light

Is there such an inexpensive par meter?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Is there such an inexpensive par meter?

What does inexpensive mean to you?

The VBR is not that much.

 

[VintageReefer]

I am looking for a par meter pretty much the opposite of what the OP has described

Could care less about quality or “ultimate accuracy”. More so just looking for something that will show “somewhat” consistent numbers.

Only needed for when switching from one type or brand of light to another.
Just to measure the par of the existing light, where the corals seem to be doing well.……
so then I can roughly duplicate that par with the new light,
mainly to adjust its mounting height and wattage (power) setting to best closely match the previous light

Is there such an inexpensive par meter?

The VBR is consistent and accurate. Usually $130

 

[johnnycamp5]

To me less than $200

 

[johnnycamp5]

Thanks folks I’ll check out VBR

 

[TelegrahamTested LLC]

Thanks folks I’ll check out VBR

VBR continues to change their sensors. I’d recommend the DanoPlus. https://a.co/d/51RcHF8

Data -
Thread 'PAR meter comparison'
https://humble.fish/community/threads/par-meter-comparison.22472/

After this post, VBR changed their sensor (and meter) again.