PAR Meter

[fatrip]

Yes folks it is here in the Southern Tier, thanks to Mark Klier's generosity. Thank you Mark. some people have been pming me on how it will circulate around the Tier. well i have a list of how it will start out. First off when you get it Obviously be carful with it, also we need to know where it is. so when you get it or when you pass it on please please post on this thread so i can keep track of it and ill let mark know where it is if he doesnt look on this thread. sooo first off it goes to

NWRogers
Dave VG
Dr Bronx
Piazzon12

Post on this forum to be next in line. thanks every one.

Also i want to set up a thread for your readings i'll post it up in a few mins.

 

[03Mach]

Cool! Was there a thread about this in the other forum? I'd love to hop on board.

 

[RyanM]

Not to put a damper on the par meter travel but what is to be gained by it? I meen I run xm10ks, so this meter tells me a number. Im not going to replace them regardless of the number it gives me. Also depending on how old the bulbs are this number will change. I guess I kinda see why some would want to know
but my question is what are you planning to do with the info? Are you going to change the bulb you use based on this meters reading? The manufacturer already gives some idea as to the output of the bulb. Just a little confused. I could see where having one full time might come in handy to tell when your bulbs are getting bad but just to do it once and get some arbitrary number that means nothing tomorrow, I dont see the point.

 

[Piazzon12]

I'd like to know how my wimpy PCs compare considering I think they've been doing pretty well (for what they are)

 

[MarkKlier]

Ryan, remember the probe is submersible so you are taking actual readings above the corals. I think there is great utility in the information gained by this data. First, you can see a very wide spectrum of lights in our local tanks. I have seen readings as high as 800-900 and as low as 40. You can start to get a sense of what conditions coral can tolerate. You can also get a sense of what corals "need" to look good. There are obviously other variables that come into play, such as water clarity, chemistry and variability in that chemistry over time. (as well as temperature). Also the par meter will not give you spectral data. While of course there are published specs on the bulbs and ballast, it is still interesting to look at actual measurements. You can find specs on your heaters...but most of us still measure the temperature.
MK

 

[RyanM]

While I understand what your saying Mark I still say that Yes, having one of your own is one thing. I can see the use in being able to check your light periodicly to see any change in output. I actually believe that we all should have one. We take our lights for granted I think. Its just that they arent cheep. However, doing it once just to get a number isnt really telling you that much. As you stated, there many factors that effect this reading as well as time it self.

I do check the specs on my heaters and I do check my temps EVERY day, with a digital thermometer. Would be just as meaningless to have a heater(lightbulb) and not have a thermometer(par meter) and have someone stop by and tell you what your temp(par) is then leave with it. Youd know what the temp is at that moment in time but as for any meaningfull information you still have to check it often.

But hey, like I said, didnt mean to take anything away from anyones fun..just wondered if I was missing something.

 

[MarkKlier]

Great point What I have found is that there is a great deal of misunderstanding about what corals need to grow. Take clams for example. Some people will have very strong opinions about MH and maximas. How many times have you heard that they will "starve" from lack of light and you must have MH. I suspect, depending on the exact location of your clams in your tank, based on your set up, that the par reading is between 100-200. (Depends on factors such as reflection off the front glass ballast and reflectors) In my 180 there are several spots that hit 200 par at 12" depth using PC's with very cheap reflectors. My clams at the bottom of the 220 right under the 400 DE are getting a par about 150 maybe 200. Just interesting to know. As you know, there are some corals that really seem to need intense light to grow and look nice (several tri colors) while others will do fine in a great range of lighting from 40-60 par up to 600-800par, bali green, green slimmer, hairy green milli many others.
So you are correct if you are using a single data point to look at "your" specific tank. But take the collective data of all the tanks, and there is some data that may be more then useful. By allowing the meter to journey around all upstate I hope that we can gain data that will be useful to us all. I would specifically recommend that no one run out and change their setup based on these readings. The reason to post results in a open forum is to encourage discussion, maybe at a deeper level.
MK

 

[RyanM]

Also well put mark If it helps the collective good I am more than willing to add my readings to the data collected.

On a side note: I believe the spectrum of light plays as much if not more than the actual par it self. I could be wrong.

Regardless of what I think, Thanks for the generosity.

 

[MarkKlier]

I would love to know what your clams are getting.
I agree, spectrum is critical for many reasons. Would be great to be able to measure that in a tank (but that piece of equipment cost thousands). Now if we could win the lotto......
MK

 

[03Mach]

I just think it would be cool to see how the entire environment affects the actual par. Manufactures usually have their estimates, but they don't take things like water disturbance, ambient room lighting, sand reflection or even glass reflection. One thing I really want to see is if clean tank walls make any difference. I usually clean the front of my tank daily-every other day, side walls weekly and back wall.... well ummm.. not often? Am I wrong in my ideas that these things will play any part in the par readings?

 

[Dave VG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11766490#post11766490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanM
Also well put mark

On a side note: I believe the spectrum of light plays as much if not more than the actual par it self. I could be wrong.

I also beleave ths to be true.

 

[RyanM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11767357#post11767357 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 03Mach
I just think it would be cool to see how the entire environment affects the actual par. Manufactures usually have their estimates, but they don't take things like water disturbance, ambient room lighting, sand reflection or even glass reflection. One thing I really want to see is if clean tank walls make any difference. I usually clean the front of my tank daily-every other day, side walls weekly and back wall.... well ummm.. not often? Am I wrong in my ideas that these things will play any part in the par readings?

Clean glass will be more reflective then algea covered glass but I would be willing to bet that the amount of added reflection from said clean glass will be so small that the meter will likey not pic it up.

That is a test for you to do tho. Just make sure you alow plenty of time between when you clean the glass and you take the readings or you will be reading the light from a debri filled tank thus lowering the par instead of raising it.

 

[Piazzon12]

I don't know if anyone was next in line... but I am done with tthe meter. It does need to get to the swap saturday though, as I believe it is going to get handed off there. If you arent going, and wanted to use it and return it, I'll bring it to the swap

 

[MarkKlier]

Not sure who is going to the swap from Rochester. I can't make it (son has hockey). Are any of you going to the crawl in Buffalo?
If so you could have them take the meter there.
If not we can Fedex it back to me this week (I will cover the cost of shipping) Just let me know. MK

 

[fatrip]

Mark, i think gary m. is coming down to the meet, so he will be bring it back to you, and i believe there are a few more from roch coming down.

 

[Piazzon12]

I think SteveL may be taking it from the swap, unless it needs to get to Rochester sooner.

 

[Blugobi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11893676#post11893676 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Piazzon12
I don't know if anyone was next in line... but I am done with tthe meter. It does need to get to the swap saturday though, as I believe it is going to get handed off there. If you arent going, and wanted to use it and return it, I'll bring it to the swap

If possible I would like to borrow the meter on Saturday for about 15 min, I only live two blocks from St. James and would like to just get some quick readings.....


Geo

 

[St.james of reefdom]

The Par meter was being brought to the swap because SteveL bought one of his own and was curious if the company had calibrated the way he requested.
So we will be doing a comparison between meters to see if there is a difference.

 

[larrybird]

I would also like to use the meter I can ship it to You Mark that is not a problem...

 

[MarkKlier]

I'm going to have Tim A from Syracuse pick it up, because I'm hooking up with him next week.
MK