Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Did some retesting this morning sans Pinot Grigio. When comparing the Apogee MQ-210, -500, -510, UPRtek and Hopoocolor units, only the UPRtek ($3,100) and MQ-500 ($555) measure PPFD accurately in air. The -510 reads 1.32X high as the firmware is configured for the immersion effect. Multiplying the -500’s reading by 1.32 will align with the -510. The -210 ($283), with its limited spectrum head (410-655nm vs the others 389-692nm or better), carries a 1.08 multiplier to compensate for immersion (thanks viewer Marc for the reminder). The -210 is plenty good for users of any lights that don’t have UV, like Ecotech’s Radions. Lastly, the Hopoocolor spectrometer is reading a little high at 1.16X, but at $650, it’s a steal. The responsive tech support crew is awesome, too, so hopefully we can get it dialed in. Long story short, buy the MQ-210 for PAR and the Hopoocolor for spectrum. 🤓 #knowingishalfthebattle
The Seneye is also a good option, and check out BRS' video on the subject.
Play with a PAR meter and your lights! That's the only way to know.
Seneye Reef (not shown in this video because I'm lame) premiumaquatics.com/products/seneye-reef-monitoring-system-par-meter.html
MQ-210 premiumaquatics.com/products/apogee-underwater-quantum-light-par-meter-mq210.html
MQ-500 premiumaquatics.com/products/apogee-underwater-full-spectrum-quantum-meter-mq510.html
MQ-510 premiumaquatics.com/products/apogee-underwater-full-spectrum-quantum-meter-mq510.html
Hopoocolor Spectrometer aliexpress.com/item/10000134857037.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.80b94c4dMNRQBt
UPRtek MK350S - gamma-sci.com/products/mk350s-premium-spectrometer?matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&keyword=&campaign=1409718683&adgroup=55330538637&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxNT8BRD9ARIsAJ8S5xYcy6exJ2BAZKeiNPDB9NQQHem-N7ymtxk9NVz0HX3O0EuAsrxZRgMaAjqwEALw_wcB
AliExpress 470nm bar - aliexpress.com/item/32843725804.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.734a4c4dCDTpDn
Did some retesting this morning sans Pinot Grigio. When comparing the Apogee MQ-210, -500, -510, UPRtek and Hopoocolor units, only the UPRtek ($3,100) and MQ-500 ($555) measure PPFD accurately in air. The -510 reads 1.32X high as the firmware is configured for the immersion effect. Multiplying the -500’s reading by 1.32 will align with the -510. The -210 ($283), with its limited spectrum head (410-655nm vs the others 389-692nm or better), carries a 1.08 multiplier to compensate for immersion (thanks viewer Marc for the reminder). The -210 is plenty good for users of any lights that don’t have UV, like Ecotech’s Radions. Lastly, the Hopoocolor spectrometer is reading a little high at 1.16X, but at $650, it’s a steal. The responsive tech support crew is awesome, too, so hopefully we can get it dialed in. Long story short, buy the MQ-210 for PAR and the Hopoocolor for spectrum. 🤓 #knowingishalfthebattle
The Seneye is also a good option, and check out BRS' video on the subject.
Play with a PAR meter and your lights! That's the only way to know.
Seneye Reef (not shown in this video because I'm lame) premiumaquatics.com/products/seneye-reef-monitoring-system-par-meter.html
MQ-210 premiumaquatics.com/products/apogee-underwater-quantum-light-par-meter-mq210.html
MQ-500 premiumaquatics.com/products/apogee-underwater-full-spectrum-quantum-meter-mq510.html
MQ-510 premiumaquatics.com/products/apogee-underwater-full-spectrum-quantum-meter-mq510.html
Hopoocolor Spectrometer aliexpress.com/item/10000134857037.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.80b94c4dMNRQBt
UPRtek MK350S - gamma-sci.com/products/mk350s-premium-spectrometer?matchtype=b&network=g&device=c&keyword=&campaign=1409718683&adgroup=55330538637&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxNT8BRD9ARIsAJ8S5xYcy6exJ2BAZKeiNPDB9NQQHem-N7ymtxk9NVz0HX3O0EuAsrxZRgMaAjqwEALw_wcB
AliExpress 470nm bar - aliexpress.com/item/32843725804.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.734a4c4dCDTpDn
