What Refugium Light to Get?

[SeaMonkey]

So the time has come to get a new refugium light and wanted to see what everyone else is using or would recommend.

 

[SynDen]

What are you growing? How big is the fuge and the main tank? How much you want to spend?

I use home depot clip lights with LED grow lights in it, similar to these https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Vegetables-Seedlings-Hydroponics-Greenhouse/dp/B079NM682K These have worked pretty good for me and are pretty cheap.
Similarly Kessil makes a Fuge light that works really well too, the H160 and H360, but they are a bit pricey.

 

[SeaMonkey]

Currently I only have cheato in it. The fuge is part of the 120 gallon sump and takes up roughly 17 in x 22 in x 17" deep. The main tank is 180 gallon. I would like to stay under $100 for the light.

 

[SynDen]

2-3 of those clip on lights with grow bulbs would do just fine then, and be under $100.

 

[SeaMonkey]

Here are a couple I looked at. Any thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-G...grow+led&qid=1557948002&s=gateway&sr=8-3&th=1


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07312WKX...colid=2B8PN39NQ0KM0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

 

[SynDen]

Ya either of those would work pretty good I think, and fairly reasonably priced. The puck would be great over a refugium, with a similar output to the bulbs i mentioned but a smaller footprint.
I could see using 2 of the 200w lights to make an awesome Algae scrubber too

 

[Cherub]

Kessil H380

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

I’m using one of these. My fuge section is about 14x16” it grows cheato well.

Sent from my iPhone using MASC - Marine Aquarium Society of Colorado

 

[SeaMonkey]

The Kessil H380 would be great but just don't want to spend that much on a fuge light. Thanks for the suggestion Dr. I will look into it.

 

[Cake_Boss]

eBay has some options for a used kessil, they’re running 10% off coupon


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[Bdk1786]

These do fantastic:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N47QRHV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[flagg37]

This is the one I have.

MarsHydro LED Grow Light 300W 600W 1200W Full Spectrum for Hydroponic Indoor Plants Growing Veg and Flower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XC3LBI2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VxI3CbR2MYKM2

I harvested about basketball sized clumps of chaeto every 2 weeks.

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

I bought a PAR38 style plant bulb like this one and I must have had it too close to the water/spray and it shorted out. I didn't really examine it too closely when I bought it a month ago, but there wasn't any kind of lens cover over the LED's. So I sent it back and got a refund and bought the one @Dr.DiSilicate recommended. And I'll probably mount it a little higher this time

 

[SeaMonkey]

Thanks for all the recommendations!

 

[TheRealChrisBrown]

I just installed the panel one that @Dr.DiSilicate recommended and I like it better. Plus it's higher off the water so it shouldn't get any spray and short out!

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

I just installed the panel one that @Dr.DiSilicate recommended and I like it better. Plus it's higher off the water so it shouldn't get any spray and short out!

Mine didn’t work well until I got it about 6” from the water. I also got a ton of water on it and it’s fine.


Sent from my iPhone using MASC - Marine Aquarium Society of Colorado

 

[flagg37]

Be thinking about how to direct and contain the light to the fuge area. The more it spills into the other areas the more likely you’ll have algae growing in them too. I used to get a bunch growing on my skimmer.

 

[neil82]

I bought a PAR38 style plant bulb like this one and I must have had it too close to the water/spray and it shorted out. I didn't really examine it too closely when I bought it a month ago, but there wasn't any kind of lens cover over the LED's. So I sent it back and got a refund and bought the one @Dr.DiSilicate recommended. And I'll probably mount it a little higher this time

Hey sorry, I don't mean to sidetrack the thread, but how do you embed a link in the post like you did?

 

[SynDen]

Hey sorry, I don't mean to sidetrack the thread, but how do you embed a link in the post like you did?

View attachment 14686
The Link button in the top bar of the reply window

 

[Shaunv]

For years, I had always used a compact fluorescent bulb in a metal reflector that you can buy at any hardware store. They seemed to work really well for growing Red Dragon, dragons breath, and Dragons tongue. I went through quite a few bulbs and 1 reflector due to the salt water. I now have a Kessil H80 but since I am going to have a much longer refugium, I will need to get 2 lights probably.