Apogee MQ-510 quantum meter is designed for underwater PAR measurements and already applies the sensor's immersion effect correction factor to the meter readings through firmware. The meter provides excellent measurements under all light sources, including LEDs. The meter consists of a waterproof quantum sensor attached via waterproof cable to a handheld meter. The waterproof sensor incorporates a blue-enhanced silicon photodiode and custom optical filters with a rugged, anodized aluminum body with acrylic diffuser. The underwater quantum sensor is typically used in salt water aquariums where corals are grown. Note: The handheld meter is not waterproof, only the sensor and cable are waterproof.
The meter has a sample and log mode, and will record an integrated daily total in mol m-2 d-1. Sample mode will record up to 99 manual measurements. Log mode will power the meter on/off to make a measurement every 30 seconds. Every 30 minutes the meter will average the sixty 30 second measurements and record 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. An integrated daily total will be recorded from the 48 averaged measurements (making a 24 hr period). Sample and log measurements can be reviewed on the LCD display or by downloading the data to a computer, however, the integrated daily total can only be viewed by downloading the data to a computer. Downloading data to a computer requires the AC-100 communication cable (a standard USB cable will not work) and ApogeeAMS software. Comes with a free protective carrying case.
Articles Featuring Apogee's Underwater Quantum Meters
Apogee MQ-510 Is The First Truly Underwater PAR Meter For Hobbyists - Jake Adams, Reef Builders
Dana Riddle Reviews the Apogee MQ-500 Quantum (PAR) Meter - Dana Riddle, Advanced Aquarist
How is the MQ-510 different from previous Apogee quantum sensors?
The MQ-510 performs exactly the same underwater as the MQ-500, but the MQ-510 simply multiplies the PAR reading by 1.32 to account for the immersion effect. The MQ-510 is a full-spectrum quantum sensor (SQ/MQ-500 Series) with a spectral range of 389 to 692 nm ± 5 nm, which can be seen in the graph below. This improved spectral respose increases the acuracy of LED measurements.
Where is the MQ-510 used?
The MQ-510 is used to measure incoming PPFD in aquatic environments.
Calibration Uncertainty ± 5 %
Measurement Range 0 to 4000 µmol mˉ² sˉ¹
Measurement Repeatability Less than 0.05 %
Long-term Drift (Non-stability) Less than 2 % per year
Non-linearity Less than 1 % (up to 4000 µmol mˉ² sˉ¹)
Response Time Less than 1 ms
Field of View 180°
Spectral Range 389 to 692 nm ± 5 nm ( wavelengths where responsis greater than 50 %)
Spectral Selectivity Less than 10 % from 412 to 682 nm ± 5 nm
Directional (Cosine) Error Less than ± 5 % at 75 ˚ zenith angle and 10 % from 412 to 682 nm ± 5 nm
Azimuth Error Less than 0.5 %
Tilt Error Less than 0.5 %
Temperature Response -0.11 ± 0.04 % Cˉ¹
Uncertainty in Daily Totals Less than 5 %
Detector Blue-enhanced silicon photodiode
Housing Anodized aluminum body with acrylic diffuser
IP Rating IP68
Operating Environment 0 to 50 C, less than 90 % non-condesing relative humidity up to 30 C, less than 70 % non-condensing relative humidity from 30 to 50 C; separate sensors can be submerged in water up to depths of 30 m
Meter Dimensions 126 mm length, 70 mm width, 24 mm eight
Sensor Dimensions 24 mm diameter, 37 mm height
Mass 180 g
Cable 2 m of two conductor, shielded, twisted-pair wire with santoprene rubber jacket (high water resistance, high UV stability, flexibility in cold conditions), additional cable available
Determining Grow Light Position Using a PAR Meter
Determining the best position for your grow light isn’t always a simple task. Each light source distributes light differently on the grow area making it difficult to know where the light should be positioned to produce maximum yield. To help growers determine the right position for their light, lighting manufactures provide a recommended hanging height for the light, the area the light will cover at the recommended height, and the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) value for the light. Although this information can be a great starting point, it doesn’t tell growers the amount or distribution of usable light throughout the grow space. To give growers a better understanding of usable light in a grow space, MIGRO, a developer of advanced grow lights, purchased an Apogee Instruments Full-Spectrum Quantum Sensor. Find out more...
