- Not all par sensors are the same,
and while the MQ-510 is perfect for blue-heavy LEDs,
you probably shouldn't pay the $150 plus extra
if you're reefing with T5
or metal halides over your tank
when this is the right tool for the job.
I'm Thomas and this Apogee MQ-210X par meter
is the go to option
for reefers that want a tried, tested,
and true par meter with a waterproof sensor
designed for taking par readings in our reef tanks,
lit by T5 and metal halide lighting.
Par sensors are designed for specific applications,
like use in primarily air versus underwater
or for measuring sunlight versus artificial lighting.
So, when you're looking to pick up a par meter,
you not only wanna get one
for taking measurements under water,
but also, match it to your light source.
While the majority
of reefers are now using LEDs
and will wanna pick up
the newer and pricer MQ-510 par meter,
for those of us using classic technology
like fluorescent and metal halide lighting,
using the MQ-210X is going to get the job done well
while saving quite a bit of coin.
The only real difference is the sensor itself
and the actual handheld meter
has all the same bells and whistles.
So whether you wanna know
when it's time to change your bulbs
or map out the par in your tank for coral placement
or see how a new bulb combination
has changed your par levels,
the MQ-210X is up to the challenge.
When you open up the box,
you'll find the MQ-210X par meter and sensor,
as well as a button cell battery.
The MQ-210X is tailor made for use
in our saltwater aquariums
with a completely waterproof quantum sensor and cable
and it automatically corrects for the immersion effect
so you'll have accurate readings under water.
It has a NIST traceable calibration
which is also fantastic.
The list of specs is easy to find
on the product page and they include just about everything
you can think of,
but for most reefers
what matters most is that the sensor
has a 180 degree field of view,
responds to a spectral range between 370 to 650 nanometers,
has a able length from the meter to the sensor
of two meters or roughly six and a half feet long.
Its calibration is NIST traceable
and Apogee backs up their meters with a four year warranty.
It's really easy to start using it.
To start using it, use a Phillips head screwdriver
to pop open the battery cover on the back
and toss in the included button cell back battery.
Although it isn't a requirement,
I also highly recommend picking up the optional sensor wand,
it just makes taking readings in the tank
a heck of a lot easier and less messy,
no wet arm and sneaking the sensor between corals
or in a shaded area is much easier to do
without your arm
accidentally casting an unintended shadow on the sensor.
With the battery in, remove the cap from the sensor
and turn on the meter by pressing down the power button
and it'll automatically begin measuring the light
falling on the sensor.
Then you can place it in the aquarium
at a location you'd like to measure.
Give it a few seconds to stabilize
and you'll have your reading.
The meter also allows you to actually log readings,
which is extremely helpful
when you're trying to map the par in your tank
because you'll have one hand holding the meter,
the other hand holding the sensor wand,
becomes pretty difficult to type or write anything down.
Instead, you can just press the sample button
while taking a reading
and you'll see the numbers in the top, right corner
of the meter increase by one for every sample that you log,
then you can use the up and down arrows later
to browse through the logged readings
whenever you want to.
And the onboard memory's actually gonna keep them saved
until you decide you want to reset them.
The meters also capable
of doing automatic logging and doing daily averages,
although most reefers won't need to use it.
Once you've mapped out your tank,
you'll know exactly where you should be placing
your most light demanding corals
as well as the more light sensitive corals
and getting their placement right the first time
can save you from browned out or even bleached corals.
And if that sounds like it matches your demantra
you can pick one up for yourself by clicking right here.
(upbeat music)