How to measure UV wavelength?

[ctreefer]

Sorry, slightly off topic from reefing but is there a fairly easy and cost effective way to test the wavelength output of both florescent and LED lighting? Specifically I'm trying to determine the UV wavelength output of these types of lighting.

I purchased a $500 chroma meter (TES 136) manufactured in Taiwan that I thought would do the trick but it doesn't seem to provide any beneficial data.

We are sourcing bulbs from a supplier in China and want to ensure they are using what we are specifying. This is actually for a non reef related product so I'm not looking for wavelength specific for reef keeping but rather for attracting bugs.....

 

[mcgyvr]

What specifically are you specifying?
Peak at a point?
What you want is a spectrometer

and you can DIY one fairly easily (google DIY spectrometer).. Its basically a CD and some cardboard and it actually works fairly well and they can get more advanced and still be fairly low cost.... If thats sufficient depends on your specific requirement..

 

[mikluha]

If you want:
1) Fairly easy and cost effective = yes. Build a diffraction grating using CD (pretty much useless for real data but looks cool). Or get relatively inexpensive Hamamatsu C12880MA. You can get it with Arduino break board and calibration data for few hundred bucks from groupgets. Slightly better than CD-based but still a toy.

2) Real data, which are consistent and verifiable. And can be used for for product. Get a real spectrophotometer. Make sure it's properly calibrated. Otherwise, it's wasted money. You should be able to rent one as well.

 

[Maivortex]

what you need is spectroradiometer which can quantify the amount of light in any desired wavelength range.

 

[blasterman789]

Good luck trying to visibly measure UVA (300-400nm ) by bouncing light off a CD.

Cheapest spectrometer I've used is $900, and mine requires constant recalibration.