Best spectrum for refugium?

[Wunderpus]

All,

I have an extra Kessil A360X that I'm hoping to use on my refugium. What spectrum would you suggest? High greens and reds? Thanks!

 

[Dana Riddle]

I'm using an old BuildMyLED 6500K on mine. Works fine. In other cases, I've used a Cree lamp from Lowes in an inexpensive aluminum reflector.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

All,

I have an extra Kessil A360X that I'm hoping to use on my refugium. What spectrum would you suggest? High greens and reds? Thanks!

I use a Kessil H150 Magenta in my refugium. The answer to your question would depend on how you define "best." I think a red/blue grow spectrum probably works well for macroalgae, but it's terrible utility lighting when you have to do work in the sump (which is why I have a separate white LED strip light installed for utility lighting).

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

As to Dana's comment, I've also used a standard 3000-4000K LED lamp with an aluminum reflector that grew algae like crazy. The only reason I got rid of it was the form factor of the Kessil was much smaller.

 

[Wunderpus]

I'm using an old BuildMyLED 6500K on mine. Works fine. In other cases, I've used a Cree lamp from Lowes in an inexpensive aluminum reflector.

Thanks Dana! So, do you think I should change the colors to mostly white, red and green? The Kessil normally would be pretty blue, but it's obviously not above a reef in this instance.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Thanks Dana! So, do you think I should change the colors to mostly white, red and green? The Kessil normally would be pretty blue, but it's obviously not above a reef in this instance.

I assume you are growing algae in the 'fuge. If you want to adjust spectrum it depends if algae is green, red, brown. Minor effect though.

 

[Wunderpus]

I assume you are growing algae in the 'fuge. If you want to adjust spectrum it depends if algae is green, red, brown. Minor effect though.

Roger that. It's chaeto, so, I assume a slight green and red tint is helpful? Thanks for all your help.

 

[Dana Riddle]

Roger that. It's chaeto, so, I assume a slight green and red tint is helpful? Thanks for all your help.

If it were me, I'd go full spectrum.

 

[jda]

I have grown chaeto out of the tank under daylight 100w incandescent (no reason to use this now), daylight CFL and daylight LED bulbs in a screw in reflector. Cheap and easy. You do not have to get too fancy with this.

I have had porites, dragons breath, dragon flame and even some lower-light SPS grow in here for a while.