Seneye PAR meter

[Maryland Guppy]

That's pretty dang cool.

I do enjoy that so many of find amazing ways to frustrate and challenge ourselves in different ways in this hobby.

Thanks, I don't really find any of this a frustrated challenge but more an experiment/science project for sure.
I have joined several reef sites only for the purpose of LED's and research.
SW & planted tanks have a lot in common striving for decent PAR readings.
The spectrum is different but LED driving technology is the same.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks, I don't really find any of this a frustrated challenge but more an experiment/science project for sure.
I have joined several reef sites only for the purpose of LED's and research.
SW & planted tanks have a lot in common striving for decent PAR readings.
The spectrum is different but LED driving technology is the same.

Lol. I do mean. Frustrating at times and challenging ourselves by experimenting and trying different things. Nothing better than a fail to teach ya something new.

 

[Eric83]

I have one as well. Only use it for par readings only, the original slide is in a drawer somewhere - never messed with it or trying to upload readings. Awesome real time readings, I have radions on my main tank and a AI Prime on quarantine tank that I setup using the seneye. The readings bounce around a bit due to shimmer, but I feel like you can fairly accurately make adjustments in about the 10 par range. For example you might be in the 150-160 range bouncing around and can go to the 160-170 range - at least with the controls radions.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I have one as well. Only use it for par readings only, the original slide is in a drawer somewhere - never messed with it or trying to upload readings. Awesome real time readings, I have radions on my main tank and a AI Prime on quarantine tank that I setup using the seneye. The readings bounce around a bit due to shimmer, but I feel like you can fairly accurately make adjustments in about the 10 par range. For example you might be in the 150-160 range bouncing around and can go to the 160-170 range - at least with the controls radions.

If you ever consider it. I would love to know your lux and par at the all full highest settings about 12 in from the light.

 

[Robinson]

Just to let you know guys, the Seneye application has been updated to V2. With this update you get the PUR reading in the meter tab.
This is my reading about 8" from a ATI 4 bulb fixture.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B50Lfn20XT7qcW9LTVBxcTV1RW8

 

[gus6464]

Just to let you know guys, the Seneye application has been updated to V2. With this update you get the PUR reading in the meter tab.
This is my reading about 8" from a ATI 4 bulb fixture.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B50Lfn20XT7qcW9LTVBxcTV1RW8

You running a lot of blue+?

 

[Robinson]

You running a lot of blue+?

Running two Blue+, one Fiji purple and one Coral+

 

[gus6464]

Running two Blue+, one Fiji purple and one Coral+

That's not bad then. Blue+ has a PUR value of ~75-80% and Coral+ has a lot of green so that will drive down the value a little while the KZ Purple has a lot of red and blue so it drives the PUR up.

 

[Robinson]

I was thinking of adding an ATI True actinic to get more close to the 420nm spectrum, but that will lower the par output. I have two regular Reefbrite blue strip that I can install and take out one of the blue+. Right now getting about 150 to 200 PAR readings at the bottom of the tank on a JBL 45.

 

[gus6464]

I was thinking of adding an ATI True actinic to get more close to the 420nm spectrum, but that will lower the par output. I have two regular Reefbrite blue strip that I can install and take out one of the blue+. Right now getting about 150 to 200 PAR readings at the bottom of the tank on a JBL 45.

Par output won't lower much. The ATI true actinic is within 60 par of blue+ but it's a 98% PUR bulb. It just doesn't look bright because it's all violet spectrum which our eyes can't see very well. You can experiment by replacing the true actinic with the Fiji purple or coral+. I wouldn't take out the blue+.

Just realized you had reef brites so if you install both and replace the blue+ with true actinics then you shouldnt see much of a difference.

 

[Robinson]

Will order a Actinic to see how it respond. The seneye meter has been good to learn about not just only the light PAR, but learning about the correct spectrum PUR that sometimes people overlook.

 

[Maryland Guppy]

Downloaded V2 this past weekend, not a chance to experiment yet.
I like it better than the other interface though.

@saltyfilmfolks you made a mention of the Seneye that did not seem very positive in a recent thread.
Don't remember which and nor could I find it again.
Care to explain or direct me to a related thread?
This site does not seem to have typical navigation as some others or I am not used to it.

Is there a fudge factor to consider with the Seneye PAR readings?
It has to be better than nothing, wouldn't want my plants to suffer?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Downloaded V2 this past weekend, not a chance to experiment yet.
I like it better than the other interface though.

@saltyfilmfolks you made a mention of the Seneye that did not seem very positive in a recent thread.
Don't remember which and nor could I find it again.
Care to explain or direct me to a related thread?
This site does not seem to have typical navigation as some others or I am not used to it.

Is there a fudge factor to consider with the Seneye PAR readings?
It has to be better than nothing, wouldn't want my plants to suffer?

Hi, I havent mentioned it directly as my findings are so far inconclusive but,
The thing that I have noted in the many tests with seney is the Par lux conversion number is always the same, regardless of the source of light.
IE best t5 conversion is 30. sun is 50, shop light t12 is 78
The first one I saw was reef radiance led that according to the meter was better than any t5 available. t5 combos that I am familiar with also used the same conversion number.
The test I saw for a light I own at percentages I am familiar with as well as other Par meter readings also don't match, they are higher.
This may be a setting, or user error, I haven't tested a seneye.
The next thing is, a par meter should not be able to test color temp. Or apogee already would have that function.
The color meters I own and have always used work very differently than a lux/fc or par meter.


Is there a setting for the type of being metered on the Seneye?

It has to be better than nothing, wouldn't want my plants to suffer?

As in planted tank?

 

[gus6464]

If you look at the eye of seneye there are multiple sensors in there. That's why it can measure multiple things. Why would apogee put 2 sensors in one unit when they can just sell you two devices. People who buy par, lux, and spectrometers don't tend to cross shop.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you look at the eye of seneye there are multiple sensors in there. That's why it can measure multiple things. Why would apogee put 2 sensors in one unit when they can just sell you two devices. People who buy par, lux, and spectrometers don't tend to cross shop.

people who dont spent 25 years metering light buy into crap like a seney. it not a par meter. its a color meter using lux par conversion numbers. troll

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

If you look at the eye of seneye there are multiple sensors in there. That's why it can measure multiple things. Why would apogee put 2 sensors in one unit when they can just sell you two devices. People who buy par, lux, and spectrometers don't tend to cross shop.

are you stupid enough to think you can buy a meter that does color temp lux and par for that price . are are you just a troll and have a fan boy love of the term PAR.

 

[swk]

FWIW Watch around 32 min in. Talks about seneye vs LiCor

 

[gus6464]

are you stupid enough to think you can buy a meter that does color temp lux and par for that price . are are you just a troll and have a fan boy love of the term PAR.

Hahaha wow. Didn't know you that you built the Seneye even though you don't even own one. But hey just keep on making that stuff up, more power to you.

 

[Maryland Guppy]

Par lux conversion number is always the same, regardless of the source of light.
IE best t5 conversion is 30. sun is 50, shop light t12 is 78

The test I saw for a light I own at percentages I am familiar with as well as other Par meter readings also don't match, they are higher.
This may be a setting, or user error, I haven't tested a seneye.

The next thing is, a par meter should not be able to test color temp. Or apogee already would have that function.
The color meters I own and have always used work very differently than a lux/fc or par meter.

Is there a setting for the type of being metered on the Seneye?

As in planted tank?

I have noticed the common divisor of "30-35" and thought it a bit strange.
Therefore making PAR readings higher in all testing.
Maybe applying a fudge factor would bring it more in line?

I cannot find any articles about "their" sensor's description regarding color & lux.
Testing all types of indoor lamps LED, fluorescent, and incandescent "K" Seneye is very close to spot on.
Testing single color LED's has also proven satisfactory for nm readings showing a peak in their range.
Full spectrum LED's are another story with such a large bandwidth.

I need to browse all of the menus and tabs for the Seneye for settings.

All planted tanks for me at this time.
I have joined many reef sites only due to LED lighting interests.
Investigation and discovery as we are discussing right here are important IMO.

I see another SW in my near future.
Maybe a 20long with algae and corals to resemble a planted tank.
Livestock would be a minimal of inverts.
Underwater gardening only not big on fish these days.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

All planted tanks for me at this time.

cool.

I have joined many reef sites only due to LED lighting interests.

yes its fascinating. Reading the older threads articles and books, the same progressions, questions and concerns are all similarly voiced on all lighting.

Maybe a 20long with algae and corals to resemble a planted tank.
Livestock would be a minimal of inverts.

that would be amazing. Not a lot of folks do that now, IMO, i dont think they know they can.

Investigation and discovery as we are discussing right here are important IMO.

+100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
thank you.
Having used pretty much every type of light meter for my entire adult life, and in my youth, I did have to question the seneye in how it works the way it does.
The pure and simple of it was that meter for $150 claims to do the job of three meters that cost $800-$1200+ (color meters are the mosty expensive)
My findings in lux and par led me to discover efficency probs when compared to other light sources. not that it wont grow coral or plants amazingly well, but just a spectral anomaly in how leds work.

As far as a fudge factor, Id encourage you to look into a dedicated lux/Fc meter and compare the readings, as I do with anyone who owns a par meter. if one is interested in light, one should own all the meters to study light.
Yes, I also own a prism and several small spectrometers..