Par reading from MQ-200 apogee

fancy_fish101 · Mar 2, 2024

I am able to Barrow this par meter for free. How reliable are the reading? I am able to get the apogee mq-510 but it just a $25 dollar fee. Just wanted to see if it’s a huge difference or something.

TangerineSpeedo · Mar 2, 2024

The 200 is fine to use. It is older but has a bandwidth that is suitable enough for you to get a very good Idea on what your values are. The 510 bandwidth peaks at what is generally accepted as the proper PUR. Start out with the 200 so you can get an idea of what is going on with your tank. I use my Par meter quite a bit as things change in your tank.

fancy_fish101 · Mar 2, 2024

TangerineSpeedo said:
The 200 is fine to use. It is older but has a bandwidth that is suitable enough for you to get a very good Idea on what your values are. The 510 bandwidth peaks at what is generally accepted as the proper PUR. Start out with the 200 so you can get an idea of what is going on with your tank. I use my Par meter quite a bit as things change in your tank.

Alr cool. Thank you. Any idea how much less or more it reads?

TangerineSpeedo · Mar 2, 2024

fancy_fish101 said:
Alr cool. Thank you. Any idea how much less or more it reads?

Should read about the same, unless your lighting relies more on the upper or lower spectrums.
https://www.apogeeinstruments.com/aquarium-par-meters/

fancy_fish101 · Mar 2, 2024

TangerineSpeedo said:
The 200 is fine to use. It is older but has a bandwidth that is suitable enough for you to get a very good Idea on what your values are. The 510 bandwidth peaks at what is generally accepted as the proper PUR. Start out with the 200 so you can get an idea of what is going on with your tank. I use my Par meter quite a bit as things change in your tank.

My par levels at everything at 100%.
2 radions xr15 and 2 or3 Orpheks violet reef days.