Best lighting for a display refugium

[Tanks andupdates]

So,what light should I go with?

LEDs if you think I should go with these what Brand?

T5s if you think I should go with these what Brand ?

I would love to hear from you I will purchase what ever the majority of votes are.

 

[Victoria M]

Hi Joseph, if your goal is to grow chaetomorpha for nutrient control and for a place for pods to reproduce and grow then this is a great light. on amazon.

.

 

[Victoria M]

if your goal is to grow seagrass in a beautiful display then I recommend the AI Prime or AI Twenty Six, so you can customize the light color. The other light I recommended is very red.

 

[Subsea]

Hi Joseph, if your goal is to grow chaetomorpha for nutrient control and for a place for pods to reproduce and grow then this is a great light. on amazon.

.

With thirty 5W diodes, I will try out this light. Considering the open vent for heat dissipation, this light is not suited for damp location. Most inexpensive led grow bulbs cost about $1 per watt, this bulb calculates to $0.33 per watt. Actual consumption is 62W not 150W.

@Tanks andupdates
First, welcome to the hobby.

I looked at your posted threads and saw your intention to grow a seagrass display. Seagrass is much more difficult than macro algae and requires very intense lighting. Consider 5-10 Watts per gallon. If you have lighting meters, than PAR should be 300 or higher. Seagrass also requires deep nutrient rich sandbeds with some using back yard dirt under aroggonite substrate.

Aside from being in a high school marine science class, what do you know about mariculture? I have been growing seaweed (macro algae) for thirty years.

 

[Victoria M]

With thirty 5W diodes, I will try out this light. Considering the open vent for heat dissipation, this light is not suited for damp location. Most inexpensive led grow bulbs cost about $1 per watt, this bulb calculates to $0.33 per watt. Actual consumption is 62W not 150W.

@Tanks andupdates
First, welcome to the hobby.

I looked at your posted threads and saw your intention to grow a seagrass display. Seagrass is much more difficult than macro algae and requires very intense lighting. Consider 5-10 Watts per gallon. If you have lighting meters, than PAR should be 300 or higher. Seagrass also requires deep nutrient rich sandbeds with some using back yard dirt under aroggonite substrate.

Aside from being in a high school marine science class, what do you know about mariculture? I have been growing seaweed (macro algae) for thirty years.

Hi subsea, how did you calculate that watts? These cheap lights can be so misleading. But it was recommended by a solid source, so I felt confident in trying it. and has been surprisingly great for growing chaeto regardless of the actual watts. And did you mean to say you were gonna try it? If so I would like to check back with you about performance.
Victoria

 

[Victoria M]

Mid October, newly placed chaeto

Mid November on a reserve light schedule.

 

[Victoria M]

@norfolkgarden thank you sir.

 

[Subsea]

Hi subsea, how did you calculate that watts? These cheap lights can be so misleading. But it was recommended by a solid source, so I felt confident in trying it. and has been surprisingly great for growing chaeto regardless of the actual watts. And did you mean to say you were gonna try it? If so I would like to check back with you about performance.
Victoria

From amazon website: actual wattage draw at 62W with calculated watts equals
28 times 5W plus one 10W.

Superior Full Spectrum
Red(650-660nm, 620-630nm), Orange(600-610nm), Blue(430-440nm, 450-460nm, 460-470nm), UV(380-400nm), IR(740-760nm), White(4000-4500K, 6000-6500K), Cree COB(3000K).

Product Specification
[LED Qty] 28pcs 5w Bridgelux/Epileds + 1pcs 10w Cree COB
[HID Replacement] Replaces 150W HPS/MH
[Input Voltage] AC100-240V
[Avg. Power Draw] 62W
[Core Coverage Area] 17.7x 17.7" at 23.6" Height
[Max Coverage Area] 23.6x 23.6" at 23.6" Height
[Dimensions] φ6.9x 2.4 inches
[Item Weight] 2.1lb
[Lifespan] 50000h
[Frequency] 50-60Hz
[Warranty] 2 years