# ReefATLAS PAR Estimator — Reef PAR Estimator > Aquarium lighting analysis and PAR estimation tool for reef keepers. (iPhone/iPad app by JONATHAN ALBERT PITTMAN.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reefatlas-par-estimator/id6777574663 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [JONATHAN ALBERT PITTMAN](https://appshunter.io/developer/6777574665) - Category: Utilities - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 14.0 · 27 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-06-15 - Data updated: 2026-07-09 - Monetization: subscription - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reefatlas-par-estimator/id6777574663/reviews.md ## What is ReefATLAS PAR Estimator? ReefATLAS PAR Estimator is a subscription-based aquarium lighting analysis app built for reef keepers who want a smarter way to estimate light levels without always having access to a PAR meter. Designed for reef aquarium hobbyists and professionals, ReefATLAS PAR Estimator helps predict and visualize PAR distribution using tank dimensions, lighting equipment, mounting height, spectrum settings, fixture intensity, water conditions, lid transmission, surface agitation, and other key variables. The goal is simple: help reef keepers make better lighting and coral placement decisions before guessing, moving coral blindly, or copying someone else’s lighting schedule from a different setup. FEATURES • Interactive 3D PAR heatmap visualization • Support for popular reef aquarium lighting systems • Multi-fixture light array setup • Fixture placement using a top-down tank layout • Support for mixed light models in the same setup • Individual fixture height, position, rotation, and angle controls • Master/slave light grouping for linked fixtures • Spectrum and intensity adjustment tools • Manufacturer-style spectrum presets where available • Custom tank dimension configuration • Manufactured tank catalog support • Glass thickness and internal dimension calculations • Surface agitation / shimmer adjustment • Lid type and lid cleanliness modeling • Salinity-aware estimate adjustment • Project save and load functionality • Local device-based project storage • Optimized for reef aquarium planning and coral placement SUPPORTED LIGHTS ReefATLAS PAR Estimator includes modeled profiles for many popular reef lights, including AquaIllumination, EcoTech Marine, Kessil, Red Sea, ReefBreeders, Maxspect, Fluval, Illumagic, REEFi, Orphek, Philips CoralCare, NavaReef, Noo-Psyche, GHL, Current USA, and more. View the current supported light list here: https://thereefatlas.com/par-estimator-lights New lights and tanks are added regularly. If your light or tank is not listed, the app includes request buttons so you can send it in for review. Requested lights are prioritized for modeling when enough manufacturer/spec/PAR reference data is available. HOW IT WORKS Configure your aquarium dimensions, select your lighting equipment, adjust fixture placement, mounting height, spectrum, intensity, water conditions, and lid settings, then generate a 3D PAR distribution estimate throughout the aquarium. For single-light setups, quickly model one fixture over your tank. For advanced systems, the Light Setup tool lets you place multiple fixtures across a top-down tank grid, including mixed models, different mounting heights, fixture rotation, and angled mounting. The estimator calculates each fixture’s contribution at each point in the aquarium and combines overlapping light output to create the final PAR estimate. This helps represent real-world multi-light setups where beams overlap, spread, and converge across the tank. IMPORTANT ACCURACY NOTE ReefATLAS PAR Estimator is an estimation tool. A real PAR meter will always be the most accurate option for measuring your specific tank. However, many reef keepers do not have access to a PAR meter. This app is designed to provide a better starting point than guessing by combining modeled light profiles, tank dimensions, fixture placement, spectrum settings, mounting height, water depth, lid transmission, salinity, and surface agitation into one interactive estimate. Accuracy depends on available fixture data, setup inputs, and real-world variables such as rockwork, coral shading, water clarity, lens condition, and surface movement. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED ReefATLAS PAR Estimator requires an active monthly subscription to access and use the app. A subscription purchase is required to use the PAR estimation tools and features shown in the App Store screenshots and description. Privacy Policy: https://thereefatlas.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://thereefatlas.com/terms ## Key features - Interactive 3D PAR heatmap visualization - Support for popular reef aquarium lighting systems - Multi-fixture light array setup - Fixture placement and angle controls - Spectrum and intensity adjustment tools - Custom tank dimension configuration - Surface agitation and lid modeling ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | ReefATLAS PAR Estimator Monthly | $4.99 | per month | ## Frequently asked questions about ReefATLAS PAR Estimator ### What is ReefATLAS PAR Estimator? ReefATLAS PAR Estimator is a subscription-based application designed for reef aquarium hobbyists and professionals. It helps users estimate and visualize PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) light distribution within their aquariums without the need for a physical PAR meter. ### How does ReefATLAS PAR Estimator work? The app works by allowing users to input detailed information about their aquarium, including dimensions, lighting equipment, mounting height, spectrum settings, water conditions, and lid transmission. It then generates an interactive 3D PAR heatmap visualization to predict light levels across the tank. ### What lighting systems are supported by ReefATLAS PAR Estimator? The app supports a wide array of popular reef aquarium lighting systems, including brands like AquaIllumination, EcoTech Marine, Kessil, Red Sea, and many more. A comprehensive and regularly updated list is available on their website. ### Can I use ReefATLAS PAR Estimator for multiple lights in my tank? Yes, the app features a Light Setup tool that allows for multi-fixture light array configurations. You can place multiple fixtures, including mixed models, adjust their heights, positions, rotation, and angles to simulate complex lighting setups. ### Is ReefATLAS PAR Estimator free to use? ReefATLAS PAR Estimator operates on a subscription model. While the app is listed as 'Free' in the app store, access to its full functionality requires a subscription, with a monthly plan available for $4.99. ### What is the subscription cost for ReefATLAS PAR Estimator? The subscription plan offered is ReefATLAS PAR Estimator Monthly, priced at $4.99 per month. This grants users access to all features for analyzing and estimating aquarium lighting. ### Does ReefATLAS PAR Estimator have ads? No, ReefATLAS PAR Estimator does not contain advertisements. As a subscription-based service, the focus is on providing an uninterrupted user experience for aquarium lighting analysis. ### How often is ReefATLAS PAR Estimator updated? The app was last updated on June 22, 2026, with version 1.0.4. New lights and tank models are added regularly, and users can submit requests for unlisted equipment. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.0.4 — 2026-06-22 Version 1.0.4 adds a new Light Setup workflow for modeling multi-light reef tank layouts. You can now build fixture arrays, place multiple lights on a top-down tank grid, mix supported light models, set individual mounting heights, rotate fixtures, adjust fixture angle, and group linked lights with master/slave controls. This update also improves PAR calculations for multi-fixture setups by calculating each fixture’s contribution separately and combining overlapping light output in the 3D heatmap. Additional improvements include grouped spectrum controls, manufacturer-style presets where available, physical fixture size modeling, improved array visualization, corrected preset selection behavior, corrected output percentage reporting for array setups, improved Light Setup launch position, improved beam display for bar lights, and iPhone layout refinements. ### 1.0.3 — 2026-06-18 What’s New in Version 1.0.3 Improved iPhone setup flow with collapsible Setup, Tank, Light, and Model sections. Added glass thickness support for custom tank dimensions, including inch and millimeter entry. Internal tank dimensions are now calculated from external dimensions and glass thickness. Improved tank dimension layout on iPhone. Moved lid settings into the Model section for clearer estimate controls. Fixed decimal entry behavior across numeric fields. Improved salinity entry to recognize both PPT and specific gravity values. ### 1.0.2 — 2026-06-17 This submission updates ReefATLAS PAR Estimator to version 1.0.2. Changes included: Updated the iPhone and iPad App Store screenshots. Updated the missing tank and missing light request forms so fields are blank by default with example placeholder text. Adjusted the depth control layout on iPhone and iPad for clearer “Bottom” and depth-position labeling. Updated the iOS build number for App Store Connect upload. The app uses the approved auto-renewable subscription: Product ID: com.thereefatlas.parestimator.monthly Subscription access is required to use the PAR Estimator. The subscription paywall appears after the required disclaimer is accepted. ### 1.0.1 — 2026-06-16 This submission updates ReefATLAS PAR Estimator to version 1.0.1. Changes included: * Added a Leave a Review option in the app menu using Apple’s native review prompt. * Added a throttled review prompt after users save PAR estimator projects. * Expanded subscription availability to include New Zealand. * Added a “Can’t find your tank?” request option so users can email missing tank catalog details. * Improved the 3D tank viewer so project load, tank changes, new tank setup, and reset actions automatically fit the tank in the viewer window. * Updated 3D viewer gestures to support one-finger rotation and two-finger pinch zoom. * Moved the Light/Dark Mode toggle to the main estimator screen for easier access. * Removed unnecessary Front, Left, and Right view buttons. * Updated branding from “ReefATLAS Labs” to “ReefATLAS.” * Updated the app build/version to 1.0.1. The app uses the approved auto-renewable subscription: Product ID: com.thereefatlas.parestimator.monthly Subscription access is required to use the PAR Estimator. The subscription paywall appears after the required disclaimer is accepted. ### 1.0 — 2026-06-16 No release notes. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-09.*