MQ-510 Full-Spectrum Underwater Quantum Meter

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.

  • Product Name:Full-Spectrum Underwater Quantum Meter
  • Model:MQ-510
  • Maunufactor:Apogee
  • Country:USA

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.

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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...

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