Would my tank benefit from a PAR Meter?

[Patrick Cox]

I have started a new SPS tank and I am considering purchasing a PAR Meter. But before I do, I want to make sure it is a useful purchase. I am running an ATI Sunpower fixture and other then observing my corals, I don't know if my lighting / coral placement is sufficient/appropriate for the corals in my tank. And my thinking is - I would rather be proactive then reactive on this topic to give myself the best chance of success. I mean I have already put a lot of money into my system so if another $400 will improve my chances of success, it is probably worth it.

The ongoing uses I had in mind are...

1. Separately determine the appropriate PAR for each of my corals and then use the PAR meter to ensure that the placement in my tank yielded a PAR value in the desired range.

2. And then I could also use the PAR values range in my tank to select new corals.

3. Measure PAR every month to determine when I need to replace bulbs.

Thanks for any thoughts/experience from others who have/do use a PAR meter! I guess that I just want to make sure these activities would truly contribute to my possible success.

 

[sanababit]

If you are very picky then yes, jejeeje, a par meter is an expensive item thet you might only use once or twice, so i recomend you borrow one, what i do is try to buy corals from people that have the same light setup as i and try to place the corals almost at the same hight or even if they dont have the same lighting as i, i try to wing it, asking the person i buy from what the requirements of the coral are, if they say high light, high flow then i look for a spot in my tank that the coral might like and put it there, good luck

Sana

 

[kien]

PAR meters are very useful for the tasks which you outlined there, so definitely, if you can afford it and plan to use it in such a way, go for it

Having said that, I would say that probably 90% (or more) of reefers do not own PAR meters and never plan to.

 

[bobssecrtsn]

Instead of spending 400+ why not make your own? A volt meter that has Mv and buy one of there quantum sensors . Works as good has their own meter

 

[Patrick Cox]

Instead of spending 400+ why not make your own? A volt meter that has Mv and buy one of there quantum sensors . Works as good has their own meter

What is a volt meter and where do I buy one? Is there no more to it than that? Just plug the sensor into the volt meter and off I go? I guess a volt meter measures PAR with the quantum sensor? Thanks!

 

[danil]

What is a volt meter and where do I buy one? Is there no more to it than that? Just plug the sensor into the volt meter and off I go? I guess a volt meter measures PAR with the quantum sensor? Thanks!

Check this post (pictures) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2254480&page=3

 

[jerpa]

^The pictures are near the end of that thread. You simply wire the par sensor to the leads of a digital multimeter that reads millivolts. You multiply the millivolts by 5 and you have PAR. If you search for DIY PAR meter you should be able to find a tutorial. It really takes no more than 5 minutes and is about $200 cheaper than the PAR meter.

 

[oscar.millan]

PAR meter helps, it's just another tool in your arsenal to help you succeed. Is it a must have?? Probably not. It took me a few years growing SPS to finally pull the trigger and justify the purchase. But so far I'm glad I made the purchase, no regrets.

 

[bobssecrtsn]

To the OP. for some time i didnt have a par meter, My LFS dont carry any because if lend out people break them. so i made one myself. I have used it about 3-4 times in the last 4-5 months but you get the feeling that you dont have to worry about Bleaching/Browning the coral itself. just my thoughts!