Comparison

ReefATLAS PAR Estimator vs Tankquil

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ReefATLAS PAR Estimator

This app helps reef aquarium enthusiasts estimate and visualize light distribution without a PAR meter. It allows users to input tank dimensions, lighting equipment, and water conditions to predict PAR levels and make informed decisions about coral placement and lighting setups. The tool offers interactive 3D visualizations and supports a wide range of popular reef lighting systems.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Tankquil

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Keep your marine aquarium’s tests, dosing plans, and maintenance in one place. Tankquil supports Mixed Reef, SPS Dominant, LPS Dominant, Soft Coral, FOWLR (fish only with live rock), Fish Only, Nano Reef, Frag Tank, and other marine setups. • Log water test results and review charts, reading history, and adjustable target ranges. • Follow guided testing steps and use reaction timers with sound and vibration options. • Work through guided dosing tools for essential elements, nutrient management, and supported complete dosing systems, with product preparation checks and limits. • Record doses, organize dosing schedules, and review guidance based on test trends and dosing history. • Plan maintenance with reminders, record completed work and aquarium events, and keep equipment records. • Explore fish, coral, and invertebrate profiles, photo credits, and compatibility planning. • Learn with Aquarium 101 and revisit the app walkthrough when you need help. Tankquil provides planning and reference guidance. Always verify current product labels and manufacturer instructions, use accurate water volume and fresh test results, and follow product-specific limits. Tankquil does not control or verify physical dosing equipment. Species and compatibility guidance is not a guarantee.

Screenshots

ReefATLAS PAR Estimator4 screens
Tankquil4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ReefATLAS PAR Estimator at Free against Tankquil's $0.99. ReefATLAS PAR Estimator also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). Tankquil's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

ReefATLAS PAR Estimator is free to download; Tankquil costs $0.99 up front. ReefATLAS PAR Estimator sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Tankquil asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
ReefATLAS PAR Estimator versus Tankquil: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReefATLAS PAR EstimatorTankquil
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyDaily—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJONATHAN ALBERT PITTMANAvrian Zajac

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ReefATLAS PAR Estimator

Subscriptions1
  • ReefATLAS PAR Estimator Monthly$4.991 Month
None

Tankquil

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ReefATLAS PAR Estimator free?
ReefATLAS PAR Estimator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tankquil free?
Tankquil costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ReefATLAS PAR Estimator or Tankquil have ads?
Neither ReefATLAS PAR Estimator nor Tankquil shows ads.

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