Who's got their own PAR reader?

[DmitryB]

I'm wondering how many people have their own PAR readers? How many people have "rented" them. And how many people just wing it!

If you do own your own, what model do you have?

I'm considering buying one, but... how necessary is it?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I wish I did!

 

[exnisstech]

I bought an appogee 510. I don't feel one is necessary but at least I know why I wasn't able to keep clams. I was light starving them even tho coral did ok and the lights looked bright. It was an easy purchase for me because I just see it as a tool. I spent 30+ years spending thousands on tools for my job, many that only got used on rare occasions but were required to do the job.

 

[commod0re]

I have a seneye reef. For tank monitoring it’s only really useful during cycling since it mainly measures toxic ammonia, but, it’s also one of the more affordable PAR meters around

 

[Evil1]

Works fantastic and very accurate and affordable! Got it on Amazon.

 

[corosato]

Works fantastic and very accurate and affordable! Got it on Amazon.

I also have this one and has worked well for me.

 

[EricR]

I rented then borrowed Apogee MQ-510 from semi-local reefer multiple times over the years, then got Danoplus unit (fairly inexpensive on Amazon) as a gift about a year ago.

When I direct compared the Danoplus to the Apogee, mine needed 1.2x-1.3x adjustment to match almost everywhere so now I just automatically multiply by 1.25x and call it close enough.

*don't NEED one but it's nice to have for when you're making changes like adding diffusers, deciding to maybe increase lighting, setting up new tank, etc.

 

[Hunna’s Stunnas]

None of those options apply to me. I’m a moderator for my local reef club’s forums and have been more active behind the scenes the last few years with it. They gave me a PAR meter to do readings for supporting members in my area. I’ve done 2 so far in ~3 years now, one of which led to a free AI Prime 16 HD.

 

[X-37B]

I use the Parwise meter. Compared it to the standard and it was close enough for my needs.
It also produces a spectral graph.
400 watt Radium 20K and 400 watt Giesemann 10k.

 

[EnterName]

I have an Apogee MQ-510.

An expensive piece of equipment that you only use a hand full of times.

If you can rent it, I advice you to do so. According to Apogee the sensor drifts less than 2% a year, which means if the device isn't too old you should get readings that are good enough, even with a used device. Of course you never know how well the sensor was treated, but if it looks fine on the outside, it's probably giving decent readings.

I don't think you have to worry too much about PAR levels, most corals can adapt to a wide PAR range and most lights come with a diagram that shows what PAR level to expect at what depth.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I see no need for one, especially for a new reef keeper, at all.

 

[overhead]

I rented one from my LFS, seemed to work okay. I thought about buying one, but really I can just rent it again if I have any need for it in the future.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I picked up an appogee 420x recently. going to reload an old laptop here soon. our local club does tank crawl and events pretty often. figure i may take it with me when we do them to check peoples machines.

 

[Bpb]

I'm wondering how many people have their own PAR readers? How many people have "rented" them. And how many people just wing it!

If you do own your own, what model do you have?

I'm considering buying one, but... how necessary is it?

Apogee qm510. Probably my favorite piece of gear I’ve bought and the last thing I’d ever consider selling. I got it for $200 new on a flash sale during Black Friday some years ago

 

[Reef Jedi]

I purchased one when I upgraded to LED’s. Was running MH for over 15 years and figured why not to see and play. It is very handy when placing corals and i’ve helped many fellow reefers close to me map their tanks.

 

[DHill6]

I have an Apogee MQ-510 that I purchased a few years ago. I’ve sent it in to check calibration. Good as new

 

[BriDroid]

I bought one of the Danoplus meters a while back. Not sure how exact it is, but it is nice to have an idea. I’ve only used it 3 times, which is why I can’t justify an expensive one. I was shocked at how much 2 Meso Blue Helix bars put out though!