Wtb par meter

[gonewild34]

Need your help what is a good part meter to buy and where

 

[Shep]

You should see if a local club or fellow reefer has one you could barrow, most of the time there is one floating around that can be rented/borrowed

 

[gonewild34]

I did no luck

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I'm thinking I may pick up the BioTek BTM3000 from @AquariumSpecialty.

Here's a video they did on it:



Here's the link to their product page: http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/biotek-marine-btm3000-par-meter-sensor-with-15-usb-cable

 

[143MPCo]

Following. Interested in the same unit.

 

[Branespikin]

I read somewhere about some Par meters not reading LEDs properly is this unit good for LEDS? By watching the video i assume yes.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

It's by Apogee, so I assume so as well.

 

[Branespikin]

Yes but the one i was looking to. Uy was from Apogee mq-200 and upon further readings i found its not good for leds and some conversions are necessary etc. almost dropped $250. Thank God i read up on it.

 

[ReeferNoob77]

Did you end up purchasing the btm3000? Interested to see if it works.

 

[Branespikin]

I did! Should be here next week

 

[smokin'reefer]

I have that meter and am quite happy with it. Mine was in the series that needed a firmware update. It was a little frustrating doing that but after it works great. I talked to Scott in person about it and was told it was a collaboration between him and Apogee to offer the sensor without the cost of the handheld. Which makes sense being I have only pulled it out once after the initial set of readings and adjustments.

 

[Branespikin]

Did you use it on LEDs? Is there any special calculations needed for LEDs if so? This unit was calibrated using T5 white

 

[smokin'reefer]

I used it on my radions. I know someone said multiply by .15 but I'm not that into accuracy. Got reading oround tank and got good feel on where I was and where I needed to go. Since I was only getting a little more than 200 par 6 inches below water got another light, now I'm getting 300ish. In that range was good for me. I'll look and see if I saved thread with conversion for you.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Iballhog said multiply by 1.08 in another thread. The 200 is approximately 10 to 15% off. The 500 is around 30% with LED s. Hope that helps.

 

[Branespikin]

That 1.08 is the Immersion Effect Correction Factor. I think thats not the number i am looking for. That is from what i read and was able to understand is when its calibrated in the air its different once immersed into the water light bounces and it shows less so that s the number you multiply by if you have the original quantum sensor the full spectrum sensor multiplies by 1.32.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Oic. That's why I just dealt with readings as is. I get analysis paralysis to easy. At 300 par reading I should be in 350 range. I hope. I guess for a lot more money I could be more precise. But for the buck ninetyfive I can deal.[emoji51]

 

[Branespikin]

Yeah for that price cant beat it. I dont need to be spot on either few pars here there. As long as i know im in the ball park. I thought maybe someone would chime in and throw thst number my way. Ill figure it out eventually. Thx for your help