PAR Shootout! Seneye Reef Monitor v2 VS. Apogee MQ-510 Full Spectrum Underwater Meter
- Thread starter jason2459
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AQD_ottawa
New member
Looks like Seneye are ahead of the game in price functionality and everything cool really 
I am glad Premiums Aquatics looked after you, its great to see so many dealers now carrying Seneye, it makes accessibility to the product really easy.
I am glad Premiums Aquatics looked after you, its great to see so many dealers now carrying Seneye, it makes accessibility to the product really easy.
jason2459
Well-known member
ROUND 2!
I put the money I got back from the Apogee into the Neptune Apex PMK which I got in yesterday. I really like the little rock mount it came with as it's not to big but looks like a little rock sitting on the bottom of my tank in the sand. It has some artificial color to it and underwater it doesn't look bad at all. I don't know if I will keep it in all the time or if I do I'll have to preposition it as I'm not liking the cording going up the middle of my tank.
But for this test it's sitting right on the sand in the same spot I took a lot of readings last week with my Seneye for getting some monthly averages to track over time.
Those results are here:http://www.*********.com/threads/re...installation-testing-and-review.292314/page-4
Post 58
Just as a recap this is the lighting schedule and channels (can ignore the PUR side it's just an image I had)
So, this morning I laid down the Seneye side by side with the Apex PMK and will log results through out the day. I have access the the Seneye's SWS (web server) which allows me live readings and PUR measurements which I can't get yet on the seneye.me cloud. Hopefully they'll get that updated soon to get the PUR measurements up there.
Yesterday's readings where pretty well universally about a PAR of 20 lower then the Seneye readings last week. But who knows it could be my water quality too so today will tell. Then later tonight I will go through each individual channels again at 30% with the Apogee in hand next to each and get a reading from all 3 and see how they match up.
So far the Apex is not reading the Royal blues at all with them at 2%. The Seneye is fluctuating between 6-7. Which is not surprising considering the Apogee 200 series scale drops over in the blue range.
I put the money I got back from the Apogee into the Neptune Apex PMK which I got in yesterday. I really like the little rock mount it came with as it's not to big but looks like a little rock sitting on the bottom of my tank in the sand. It has some artificial color to it and underwater it doesn't look bad at all. I don't know if I will keep it in all the time or if I do I'll have to preposition it as I'm not liking the cording going up the middle of my tank.
But for this test it's sitting right on the sand in the same spot I took a lot of readings last week with my Seneye for getting some monthly averages to track over time.
Those results are here:http://www.*********.com/threads/re...installation-testing-and-review.292314/page-4
Post 58
Just as a recap this is the lighting schedule and channels (can ignore the PUR side it's just an image I had)
So, this morning I laid down the Seneye side by side with the Apex PMK and will log results through out the day. I have access the the Seneye's SWS (web server) which allows me live readings and PUR measurements which I can't get yet on the seneye.me cloud. Hopefully they'll get that updated soon to get the PUR measurements up there.
Yesterday's readings where pretty well universally about a PAR of 20 lower then the Seneye readings last week. But who knows it could be my water quality too so today will tell. Then later tonight I will go through each individual channels again at 30% with the Apogee in hand next to each and get a reading from all 3 and see how they match up.
So far the Apex is not reading the Royal blues at all with them at 2%. The Seneye is fluctuating between 6-7. Which is not surprising considering the Apogee 200 series scale drops over in the blue range.
jason2459
Well-known member
There we go. I was surprised to see such low results across all channels for the Apex PMK. I expected the blues and reds to be low but not 0 at 30%. I also expected the white to be a lot higher and green to register something.
I gave each channel about 10 to 15 minutes to average out. The Seneye and Apogee were right with each other again.
Overall, I'm quite mystified. I'm almost finished up tracking the day's input comparing the Seneye vs Apex PMK and will post those later.
I gave each channel about 10 to 15 minutes to average out. The Seneye and Apogee were right with each other again.
Overall, I'm quite mystified. I'm almost finished up tracking the day's input comparing the Seneye vs Apex PMK and will post those later.
jason2459
Well-known member
Maybe, I haven't tested taking the black cover off yet. That may help. Don't know.
Otherwise it's an easy fix. Tilt the seneye slightly inward.
Reeferparty
New member
Hmm following along! I've been strongly considering the PMK for my ap700 given that reviews claims for them to be 10-20% off but wow given your testing it's well into 50+%
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jason2459
Well-known member
My personal opinion...
If I was in the market for a light meter my choice would hands down be the Seneye. It's highly capable, add in spectral analysis, LUX, and PUR gives it more features as a light meter then even the Apogee alone. Then it also complements my Apex as a monitor/alert system with the addition of Ammonia that the Apex doesn't do and a second check for other parameters like pH, temp, out of water. The Seneye also calculates Ammonium and Disolved O2. And that's with out considering cost.
If I was in the market for a light meter that I could take with me anywhere, use on multiple tanks, fit in small areas, share with friends, and easily pack up to take to the beach or out on a boat it would be the Apogee MQ510.
If I wanted something that looked good in the tank and purely for tracking a T5 or MH with out need for accuracy and ties in with the Apex and get all the logging with it or alerting or programming input logic from it then it would be the PMK of course. Its still a viable option just understand the restrictions/limitations as a light meter.
jason2459
Well-known member
I asked this relevant question to Terence in another thread and got this cool reply
Check out the Brs video, has something to do with not having some calculation compensation ability.Maybe, I haven't tested taking the black cover off yet. That may help. Don't know.
Otherwise it's an easy fix. Tilt the seneye slightly inward.
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AQD_ottawa
New member
Amazing thread thanks Jason. This sure has sparked a fury of interest in Seneye, Premium aquatics said they are only just keeping up!
I dont think i have ever seen such a detailed and unbiased test. Great info for everyone.
I dont think i have ever seen such a detailed and unbiased test. Great info for everyone.
jason2459
Well-known member
Yep, I've seen the BRS video and I'm not sure it's just that. I'll be testing it out vs the Apogee MQ510.
Thanks, I just want to find out the truth in a practical application. Premium aquatics is a great resource and has great support for their customers among others.
Don't bother, apogee has a design flaw. Trust me, I have one.
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jason2459
Well-known member
Not all do. Apogee is working through it now and figuring out which batches have an issue and would impact the SQ and MQ 510's. I've already reached out to them.
Edit: and fwiw mine seems to be doing just fine picking up all the spectrums and even the low nm violet/actinics.
Post #38 I linked to the BRS video. and just after the 9 minute mark he mentions how a portion of the 510's are reading lower then the original 200 series sensors. Mine is not having that issue as seen above.
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