Reef Tank PAR Readings for T5 Florescent & Metal Halide Users? Apogee MQ-210X
We are big proponents of using a PAR meter to properly tune your reef tank lighting here at BRS. It really is the only accurate way to measure the light output in your tank and be confident you are supplying the right amount of light for your corals. With that in mind, it's important to choose the right PAR meter for your particular style of light in order to get the most accurate measurements.
- Soft Corals & LPS: 75 - 150 PAR
- SPS Corals: 200 - 350 PAR
Apogee is the leading manufacturer of PAR meters suitable for use with aquarium lighting and if LED is your lighting of choice, the MQ-510, PQ-510, or SQ-520 are going to be your best choices. Alternatively, if you're using the tried and true t5 fluorescent or metal halide style lighting, the MQ-210X is the meter of choice. The difference is the included sensor where the MQ-210X includes a waterproof sensor specifically designed for measuring fluorescent and metal halide lights underwater.
Specifications:
- Calibration Uncertainty: ± 5%
- Response Time: Less than 1 ms
- Field of View: 180˚
- Spectral Range: 370 to 650 nm
- Temperature Response: -0.04 % per C
- Operating Environment: Sensor can be submerged in water up to depths of 30 m
- Cable: 2 m of two-conductor, shielded, twisted-pair wire with TPR jacket (high water resistance, high UV stability, flexibility in cold conditions)
- Warranty: 4 years against defects in materials and workmanship
Includes:
- MQ-210X Par Meter with sensor
- Button cell battery
We highly recommend the use of the Sensor Wand for PAR meters (sold separately) to easily take measurements throughout your entire tank.
Features
The MX-210X allows you to take and store up to 99 manual measurements using the sample mode. The Log Mode functions like an auto mode and will power the meter on/off to take a measurement every 30 seconds. Every 30 minutes the meter will average recorded readings and save the averaged value to memory. The meter can store up to 99 averages, once full it will start to overwrite the oldest measurement with new ones. You can review the logged data directly on the meter or download the data to a computer to record and review daily averages.
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