Best refugium light?

badfinger · Dec 19, 2018

I am sure this has been answered plenty of times before...but

What is the best refugium light, out of Kessil and Ecotech ( not the $1k light either)

My area is only a 16"x 18".

Thanks

Jvesche20 · Dec 19, 2018

Kessel h380

Jvesche20 · Dec 19, 2018

Here’s a video brs made. I use the 13W led light works perfect for me only costed me like $10 instead of $300

jpas · Dec 19, 2018

I have had great success with the H380 over a larger 40gallon fuge. I guess the h180 would be sufficient for at 16” x18”

badfinger · Dec 19, 2018

I use a cheap grow light off of Amazon for now. It does ok, but I feel it is still lacking in some ways.

Trying to do a few things here
A) better cheato growth
B) do not want to upgrade again or choose wrong (this is the main reason I ask)

Jvesche20 · Dec 19, 2018

badfinger said:
I use a cheap grow light off of Amazon for now. It does ok, but I feel it is still lacking in some ways.

Trying to do a few things here
A) better cheato growth
B) do not want to upgrade again or choose wrong (this is the main reason I ask)

Well then imo your best option is the kessel h380. Best grow light on the market

badfinger · Dec 19, 2018

Ok thanks for the input... I will probably go that route, unless someone has used both and would rather use the 180 instead of the 380 in my size of sump

Jvesche20 · Dec 20, 2018

Well if you decide to upgrade ur sump size later I would go with the larger light but if not then the 180 would be fine both lights will work great

DesertReefT4r · Dec 20, 2018

I have used a few over the years and all grew chaeto really well and was effective enough to keep no3 very low. Different spiral compace bulbs in a clamp on shop lamp, Coralife Power Compact nano/fuge light and a 18w freshwater LED. Back in the day 70w and 150w MH was common as well 6500k and 10,000k bulbs where used and highly effective. Today I am back to a spiral compact because my cheap 18w LED died.

rmchoi · Jan 12, 2019

Our refugium size are similar. I did use to use Kessil A360. It was real bright, but it ran too hot, especially inside my cabinet. I changed to (2) x Kessil A80. They emit little heat, but thought the amount of light was not enough compare to the A360. Turns out to be enough light after all. You can see the results of growing chaeto here.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/w...trimming-your-macroalgae.539558/#post-5575109