Trying to find a par meter...any help?

[macawmagic]

I've googled for it, but can't find one for sale anywhere. Just trying to find a par meter to start testing my lights. If anyone could point me in the correct direction it would be amazing!

 

[m and m]

I think its real name is a lux meter. Then you convert that to par, im not 100% sure but i think thats how its done.

 

[macawmagic]

yea. when I google par meter, lux meter comes up...but i'm pretty sure somewhere there's a par meter. thanks m and m.

 

[agent462]

Aquarium Specialty

 

[macawmagic]

thank you! Didn't realized they were that expensive! Anything cheaper? LOL

 

[Eternal]

I have been looking as well. This is the only other option I have found.

Aquarium Lighting & Monitoring: Milwaukee Instruments Smart Lux Light Meter

 

[Paul_N]

thank you! Didn't realized they were that expensive! Anything cheaper? LOL

That is why most people don't have them. A local club usually buys one and then lends it out to members. If you don't need exact par numbers but just want to track the drop off in the output of your bulbs a lux meter will work. You can get a reading when you first get the bulbs and then track the output to see when it drops off. You can convert lux to par but each bulb has a specific and different constant that you need to find out and input into the equation. There is a lot of good info here:

Product Review: Lighting for Reef Aquaria: Tips on Taking Light Measurements | Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine

Also many people don't realize that you should send the meter back every two years to get re-calibrated.

 

[saltyone]

You can order directly from Apogee Instruments Apogee Instruments: Environmental Sensors . To save money I ordered just the SQ-120 sensor without the meter. The sensor can be connected to a multimeter reading volts DC and multiply the reading by 5 for PAR. Of course you lose the recording features and the all-in-one convienence but the sensor is only $139.00. This method may not be as accurate but it will show initial PAR and the the depreciation over time. Seems to work for what I am doing. Good used PAR meters are hard to find.

 

[agent462]

That's about the best price unless you can find one used.

 

[Pizzapro83]

Aquarium Specialty

So if you buy this one you just drop it in tank and it gives you par reading? Do you have to do any math with this one?

 

[agent462]

Nope, you put the sensor in the water and it tells you what the PAR is.

 

[Pizzapro83]

Nope, you put the sensor in the water and it tells you what the PAR is.

Thanks

 

[Paul_N]

The sensor has a threaded hole on the bottom. You can make a handle for it and screw it on the get readings down low in the tank and also to hold it more steadily.

 

[agent462]

 

[Troylee]

Apogee makes a great meter... A buddy of mine has one and he just got some acrylic rod or rigid airline and zip tie it to the cord with the sensor on bottom... Then you can place it anywhere in the tank without getting wet... Works great..;)

 

[agent462]

building some sort rod is best otherwise your arm will shade it when trying to get certain measurements.