Lux Meters

[Samper]

I wanna buy a Lux meter for under 500 bucks. Where do I go and what kind do I need to get?

[Ninong]

Are you sure you're talking about a lux meter???

You can get a decent Apogee PAR meter for around $300-$400 and a good underwater lux meter for around $95.

[Ninong]

Check out this thread, starting with the #4 post: http://www.reefland.com/forum/showth...=lux#post70279

That's the lux meter that I ordered for Joaco for less than $100 delivered. It was very nice. I tried it out first (at his request) but I forgot to turn off my pumps, so my readings were fluctuating.

If all you want is a reading on intensity, then that will work fine. That way you can measure the differences in intensity at various spots in your tank and you can measure the reduction in intensity as your lamps age over time. A PAR meter is better but it's more expensive. The cheapest Apogee PAR meter is around $300-$400 and a really good PAR meter is around $2000.

[Samper]

Ninong,

Would it be better to get a cheap par meter or to just buy the lux meter you mentioned?

[Ninong]

Ninong,

Would it be better to get a cheap par meter or to just buy the lux meter you mentioned?

Better is a relative term. The question is how much money do you want to spend and what exactly are you trying to do?

I think most people would be content to just get a lux meter but if someone has tons of money, they might get a PAR meter.

[Samper]

What's goin on is the local club in my area has tasked me out to find a tool to do research on our lighting. It will be rented out to the club members to check out what new/old bulbs are doing. They don't know anything about it either but just wanna have a nice tool to research our different lighting. I will read that thread you linked me to when I get the chance. The club wants to spend less than $500 bucks.

[Ninong]

What's goin on is the local club in my area has tasked me out to find a tool to do research on our lighting. It will be rented out to the club members to check out what new/old bulbs are doing. They don't know anything about it either but just wanna have a nice tool to research our different lighting. I will read that thread you linked me to when I get the chance. The club wants to spend less than $500 bucks.

In that case, perhaps you should get one of the inexpensive Apogee PAR meters. They run approximately $300. Dana Riddle discusses this topic here: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/7/review





P.S. -- Here is the model that you should probably get: http://www.apogee-inst.com/pdf_files/qmsw-ss.pdf It's not perfect but it's better than getting just a lux meter. The really good PAR meters cost thousands of dollars.

[Samper]

Alright then this is the one I will recommend. Gonna look around for a slightly better price but that's well within the range the club wants to spend....I've already put my name in the hat to use it first!

[scubadude]

If I remember right there is a par sensor that you can adapt to a standard multimeter. I believe the sensor is like $100 and you can buy a cheap analog multimeter for about 20bux @ radio shack. Perry from sunlight supply gave me this formula too to help me convert the lux into par

2000 mE/s/m(m) = 102,400 lux or lumens/meter squared

1000 = 51,200

1 = 51

These are all rough estimates.

more... 1 PAR unit = 4.62 foot candles -or- .21 watts/meter squared

scubadude stumbles looking for his college algebra books on formulas