Borrowing a PAR meter

[ThatGuyWithTheFish]

Does anybody know where I can borrow (or even rent, for a nominal cost) a PAR meter so I can assess my lighting? Any of you, maybe?

[ThatGuyWithTheFish]

Anyone?

[funkman262]

Check your local aquarium clubs. My local reef club owns a PAR meter that they let members borrow.

[sowNreap]

If you can't find any clubs in your area another option, although not nearly as good as a PAR meter, is to get a lux meter and either DIY it as per Hoppy's thread here: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...ight=lux+meter so you can use it in the water. Or else take the fixture off the tank and measure the lux in open air at your desired height. You can get an approximate PAR by dividing the lux reading by 76. Of course this option doesn't let you check the PAR in different areas in your tank but can give you a decent estimate of the "par" you might get at the substrate from your fixture.

Amazon had the Mastech Lux meters for about $15-$20.. not sure how much they are now though.

[Aquatic Delight]

Originally Posted by funkman262

Check your local aquarium clubs. My local reef club owns a PAR meter that they let members borrow.

ditto on that, there is MAST guy that has is PAR meter on perm loan to a LFS here in SA

[Hoppy]

If someone mails you a PAR meter to use, it will cost you about $10 minimum for postage, then an equal amount to return it, so you will be out over $20 just for postage and handling. Assume whoever loans it wants to earn a little for his trouble, say another $20. That means just borrowing is likely to cost you around $40. If you buy a Mastech or other #LX1010B lux meter it will cost you about $21, minimum, with shipping included. Google that part number and look at the "other deals" on the Amazon site.