PAR Meter Recommendation

[PharmrJohn]

As I start to collect hardware for my upcoming build, one of my purchases will be a PAR meter. As I am going to be fussing around with lighting, starting out with my old T5 fixture and moving to LEDs, I want to be prepared. And there's the possibility of messing with my aquascape as well. I can all but guarantee I'll modify that as I go.

So realizing that not all PAR meters are made with the same dedication to quality and engineering standards, which are considered to be superior? I'm not afraid to spend some cash so let's take cost out of consideration. As always, TIA.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

PARwise USB Light Meter

All the Metrics Needed to Make Informed Decisions about your Aquarium Light Compatible with any light source Can be used wet or dry Works with Windows PC, macOS*, and Android devices Measures multiple lighting metrics: PAR (PPFD – Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density µMol/m2/S) Kelvin (Color...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Add about 15-20% to the reading and you will be in the ballpark. It's not the standard to which all are judged but works

 

[BristleWormHater]

Following along, I need a meter too.

 

[TBSB2019]

I like my parwise. Pretty easy to use.

 

[dakoop]

I have the apex par meter. Not sure how accurate it is though.

 

[PharmrJohn]

PARwise USB Light Meter

All the Metrics Needed to Make Informed Decisions about your Aquarium Light Compatible with any light source Can be used wet or dry Works with Windows PC, macOS*, and Android devices Measures multiple lighting metrics: PAR (PPFD – Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density µMol/m2/S) Kelvin (Color...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Add about 15-20% to the reading and you will be in the ballpark. It's not the standard to which all are judged but works

I like my parwise. Pretty easy to use.

Would you folks think, knowing what you have, that a used meter would be a wise(ish) route to explore? Or are these meters prone to moving towards inaccuracy due to normal (or perhaps some possible roughish) handling (cause ya never know...... )?

 

[PharmrJohn]

And $300 is not bad at all!!!!

 

[VintageReefer]

If you have a laptop, then…

USB Smart Quantum SQ-420X PAR Sensor

PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) is the easiest way to measure the available light for corals consume and use for photosynthesis. With LED lights giving more and more control to the consumer the best thing is a PAR meter that is affordable and simple to use. With PAR readings you can...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

With

AM-330 Teslescoping PAR Meter Wand

An Easy-to-Use Wand to Simplify Your PAR Measurements Telescopic Design Extends from 11.25" to 36.25" Suitable for Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums Compatible with Apogee Quantum Sensors Made in the USA The AM-330 Telescoping PAR Meter Wand by Apogee is the perfect accessory to make using...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

230$

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Would you folks think, knowing what you have, that a used meter would be a wise(ish) route to explore? Or are these meters prone to moving towards inaccuracy due to normal (or perhaps some possible roughish) handling (cause ya never know...... )?

I don't think you will find a used unit cheap enough to make it worth while. Most people want pretty close to what they paid for them

 

[jayala12]

Found an apogee mq-510 open box for 300 on saltwateraquarium.com. Works perfect. Keep an eye out and you can find deals. That’s top of the line if you ask me but just my opinion. I’ve use it every time I add a coral. Kind of overkill but I think it’s worth the peace of mind. Our hobby is expensive so you want to protect our sometimes big investments.

 

[VintageReefer]

I don't think you will find a used unit cheap enough to make it worth while. Most people want pretty close to what they paid for them

I got my apogee 150 shipped

 

[Tamberav]

As I start to collect hardware for my upcoming build, one of my purchases will be a PAR meter. As I am going to be fussing around with lighting, starting out with my old T5 fixture and moving to LEDs, I want to be prepared. And there's the possibility of messing with my aquascape as well. I can all but guarantee I'll modify that as I go.

So realizing that not all PAR meters are made with the same dedication to quality and engineering standards, which are considered to be superior? I'm not afraid to spend some cash so let's take cost out of consideration. As always, TIA.

Apogee $341 - clearance at Premium Aquatics

Just connect it to your computer

There was a coupon code to stack with it but guessing it expired.

Apogee SQ-520 Full Spectrum Smart Quantum Sensor - USB Output | Premium Aquatics

Aquarium & Fish Supplies Superstore. Guaranteed Low Prices. Free Shipping for qualified orders. Aquarium supply for your aquarium fish, saltwater aquariums, freshwater aquariums and ponds. The best aquarium lighting, protein skimmers, aquarium chillers, calcium reactors, aquarium pumps for fish...

premiumaquatics.com

 

[PharmrJohn]

Found an apogee mq-510 open box for 300 on saltwateraquarium.com. Works perfect. Keep an eye out and you can find deals. That’s top of the line if you ask me but just my opinion. I’ve use it every time I add a coral. Kind of overkill but I think it’s worth the peace of mind. Our hobby is expensive so you want to protect our sometimes big investments.

That's a great idea. I'd just planned out a mapping strategy. But I could do both. Map and double check. It's not overkill. It just makes sense.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I've also heard of good things when comparing a VBR-Aqua PAR Meter and a Danoplus PAR Meter to an Apogee PAR Meter; both the VBR and Danoplus are ~$150.

 

[Bdroid]

I use the vbr aqua and have been happy with it. You can get it on amazon.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I've also heard of good things when comparing a VBR-Aqua PAR Meter and a Danoplus PAR Meter to an Apogee PAR Meter; both the VBR and Danoplus are ~$150.

Just to add some context for this (and to show how different the two are in numbers from the Apogee):

The first one is the VBR meter - the old sensors didn't need adjusted and pulled essentially the same numbers as the Apogee, while the new sensors need adjusted by the multiplier below (1.17x). The second is the Danoplus (it reads about 10% lower than the Apogee when taking underwater readings).

It's your light, not the meter. @luxdium performed a comparison.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Just to add some context for this (and to show how different the two are in numbers from the Apogee):

The first one is the VBR meter - the old sensors didn't need adjusted and pulled essentially the same numbers as the Apogee, while the new sensors need adjusted by the multiplier below (1.17x). The second is the Danoplus (it reads about 10% lower than the Apogee when taking underwater readings).

Wow! Really good info! I am leaning towards the Danoplus. I'm not so concerned with a 'real' reading as long as I have the conversion factor. And 10% really isn't THAT much off when speaking of a range (e g. 50-150). Specific numbers, yes, but a range pretty much nullifies my concerns.

 

[telegraham]

Wow! Really good info! I am leaning towards the Danoplus. I'm not so concerned with a 'real' reading as long as I have the conversion factor. And 10% really isn't THAT much off when speaking of a range (e g. 50-150). Specific numbers, yes, but a range pretty much nullifies my concerns.

Free returns. Try both, return the one you don’t like.

 

[SueAubu]

Did you get the Danoplus?
How was it? I just ordered it, also because I liked the readout better. We can compare when it gets here next week....

 

[PharmrJohn]

Did you get the Danoplus?
How was it? I just ordered it, also because I liked the readout better. We can compare when it gets here next week....

Nope. Not yet. I am setting up my tank, probably next summer. Gotta get my floors redone. And that's a next year thing. So it went on my ever growing list of things to get.