How to measure Par in your tank

[gnatp2]

I've heard over and over that lighting is a key element to a reef tank. I believe this to be the case, but I am very weak in this subject. How should the ideal (forgive me if i start to make no sense as this is an ambien induced thread). setup lighting for a 120g tank. I've got 2 metal halide bulbs with cheap reflectors and tek t5 bulbs as supplimentals.

My canopy is very small.... only 4 inches high so i ca barely get my lights to fit in there. And then I have glass tops to prevent the lights from being too close to the tank water. So does anyone have a suggestion? I'm thinking to construct some 8" lifters to put the canopy a while 8" taller. This way the reflector unit will be 8" taller and spreading out more on a more uniform basis ( i hope). I'll also be able to get rid of the ugly gunked up glass tops which I'm guessing are not helping.


Then once I have this all done, is there some tool out there I can throw my money at, it will be my friend and tell me if i'm doing a good job or not or if I again am just barking at the wrong tree. A PAR meter for the tank????

Thanks
Nate

 

[House of Laughter]

Heres a review in AA - I saw the Quantum this weekend under a solaris LED light pushing 396 par - kinda neat - not sure how pricey they are though.

House

 

[GreshamH]

They run ~$239 to ~$318 depending on what model you want. The one that Joy of PFO was using is the lower end model. The one above it will do both electrical lights and outdoor. Hers only does electrical lights.

http://www.apogee-inst.com/bqm_spec.htm

FWIW, I have bought several of them in the past, very good units and extremelly great people to deal with.

 

[cali_reef]

Nate, I have the Apogee Quantum meter, let me know if you want to borrow it for a few days. You don't need to own one, spend the three houndred on some other stuff.

You'll need to figure out a better way to hang your light and remove the glass, you will see how much light it blocks with the Quantum meter.

 

[gnatp2]

Then once I have this all done, is there some tool out there I can throw my money at, it will be my friend and tell me if i'm doing a good job...

Wow, just re-read my thread. WARNING: Ambien will make you call inanimate objects "your friend".

Pierce, thanks very much for the offer. I should be back in town in a couple weeks and I'll give you a ring. I suspect that I'll be getting a big surprise with the PAR in my tank. I think this is currently my largest hurdle.

Thanks,
Nate