Milwaukee Instruments Smart Lux Light Meter

Verify light intensity in your aquarium like the pros. Easy-to-use, portable lux meter with waterproof sensor gives a precise reading of how much light your aquarium inhabitants actually receive. Accurately measures from 0.000 to 50,000 Lux with ±6% of reading ±1 digit. Use to determine light intensity in different areas in reef aquariums for ideal placement of corals with different light requirements. Also, a great way to monitor light fixtures to ensure optimum performance. 9V Alkaline Battery included. Measures 3" x 1-3/8" x 5-1/2" high.

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• The Smart Lux Light Meter is supplied complete with a 9V battery. Remove the Battery Compartment Cover on the back of the meter and install the battery while paying attention to its polarity.
• Put the Light Sensor on a stable surface and place the meter at a proper distance away from the sensor to avoid any interference or disturbance to the sensor illumination.
• Turn the meter on by pressing the ON/OFF key.
• Press one of the three "Range Keys" to select the proper scale according to the intensity of the light.
• "1." on the Liquid Crystal Display indicates that it is necessary to increase the measurement scale. Press the next Range Key. The decimal point will move through the display and finally the correct value will be shown.
• Wait for about 1 second for the reading to stabilize.
• After about 5 minutes of non-use, the meter shuts off.

Note: It is recommended to check if the Light Sensor is clean before taking any light measurement.

Battery Replacement
When the battery becomes weak, the Light Meter displays a blinking "V". When the Low Battery Indicator appears, the battery has only a few hours of working time left. A low battery will result in unreliable light measurements. It is recommended to replace the battery immediately. Battery replacement must only take place in a non-hazardous area using an alkaline 9V battery.

• Turn the Light Meter off. Slide off the Battery Compartment Cover on the back of meter. Replace the battery with a fresh one.
• Make sure the Battery Contacts are tight and secure. Seat the battery in the compartment and slide the cover back onto the meter.

Lighting: Intensity and Lux

Light Intensity
Light intensity can be measured at the source and at the surface which the light impacts.

Lux
The intensity of light that impacts a surface is described by an international unit of measurement called a "lux." It is the metric measurement similar to a foot-candle: 1 foot-candle equals 10.7 lux.

The level of intensity on a natural reef with clear water will average about 20,000 lux at a depth of 15 feet, and 10,000 lux at 30 feet. Knowing where an organism lives in nature will give you an idea of the light intensity that will be required to maintain that organism in an aquarium. Lux meters are available and are relatively inexpensive, and can be used to both check your lighting for the intensities that are required, and to determine when bulbs in the system need to be replaced.