Using a lux meter inside water vs out? ?

[Jonathan blackwood]

I just got a lux meter ,my very first one, and didn't realize it was not water proof. When I take my readings , will it be comparable to inside the water? I'll be testing outside of water from top to bottom of tank. Is that the same idea ?

 

[Jonathan blackwood]

Lux** lol

 

[AlexStinson]

No, that should not be the same at all.

 

[Jonathan blackwood]

dang... so then I will make it waterproof? And then try readings

 

[mcarroll]

Just take measurements at the surface. Should be more than adequate for what we're doing.

The first thing I'd do it make a light map for your tank.

Draw out where you get peak levels, then draw out where you get 90% of peak. Then draw 50% - or what you get at the edges of the tank. You can see where your measurements apply on the rocks by following where the meter's shadow lands as you take measurements. Anywhere you can measure between 20,000 lux and 80,000 lux should be fine for corals. (More intensity is not necessarily better.)