chaeto refugium light options...

[Victoria M]

I have watched the BRS videos and understand that the $300 light was the best, but isn't there a middle of the road light? Does anyone have experience with other "high intensity" lights?

 

[Crabs McJones]

A couple users on here have used this light with great results.
It has a spectrum very similar to the Kessil H380
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07312WKX2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2DFI8RPP7OFTH&psc=1

 

[Victoria M]

Thanks crabs! that was mighty informative of you!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Thanks crabs! that was mighty informative of you!

Kessil H380

Amazon light. Pretty close to hitting both peaks for Chlorophyll A and B

 

[Victoria M]

I was reading the page and comparing the spectrum charts between kessil and grow star. A briefly answered question said the cree bulbs were 3 watts each but under powered. Will this be a problem?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I was reading the page and comparing the spectrum charts between kessil and grow star. A briefly answered question said the cree bulbs were 3 watts each but under powered. Will this be a problem?

Shouldn't be, as the unit is rated at 150 watts, and the kessil H380 is only 90 watts, so even if you're only pushing half of the power, you're still pretty well powered at 75 watts.

 

[hart24601]

No that won't be a problem. Almost all the chinese amazon lights list what the LED total capacity is, but not what the light runs at. For example it says this light runs at 62W, that is the real power, but the title says 150w. I like this listing because at least it says 62w, many of the other lights don't say what the actual power is. Just ignore that 150w bit, it's meaningless to this light.

I assume the reason they don't run the lights at the full power the LEDs can handle are because the cooling and power would add cost and size.

If you get the actual draw, like they gave here, then you are good imo.

 

[Victoria M]

Shouldn't be, as the unit is rated at 150 watts, and the kessil H380 is only 90 watts, so even if you're only pushing half of the power, you're still pretty well powered at 75 watts.

thank you. That is reassuring.

No that won't be a problem. Almost all the chinese amazon lights list what the LED total capacity is, but not what the light runs at. For example it says this light runs at 62W, that is the real power, but the title says 150w. I like this listing because at least it says 62w, many of the other lights don't say what the actual power is. Just ignore that 150w bit, it's meaningless to this light.

I assume the reason they don't run the lights at the full power the LEDs can handle are because the cooling and power would add cost and size.

If you get the actual draw, like they gave here, then you are good imo.

That is great. Thank you for the help clarifying that fixture. Home use LED lights are doing something similiar. I take them to mean that the brightness looks like a 75W bulb, but it uses 14W of power. In a home light that is great. In an aquarium bulb...not so much.

My goal is to prevent algae growth in my 180g rebuild. I have been debating the pros and cons of an ATS vs. a chaeto refugium. I am pretty sure I will go for the refugium with a stronger light. But not a $300 light.
Right before my tank tear down I ran a red grow bulb and I was getting crazy amounts hair algae growth and chaeto was growing well too. perhaps I did not give it enough time? other crazy stuff happened at the same time so who knows.

 

[Victoria M]

Ah-ha moment....9 watts.

 

[Victoria M]

Just wanted to share the results of the light upgrade.
Early October

Mid November

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

What light did you go with?

 

[johnj]

id be so worried using a made in china light unit under my tank and leaving on all night ! least kessil are proven quality

 

[jah-hoeva]

Any experience with the Zetlight E200?

 

[mfinn]

I stick to what's been working for me.
I get the led flood light bulbs in the 5k range from Lowes. Usually around $10.
Grows chaeto just fine.
Before the led floods were around I used the regular 5k flood lights.
Don't feel the need to spend $100-$200 in this area, when $10 does it.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I would love a H80 but right now its a little pricey for me. I got this LED off Amozon and 4 months later it died a slow death, always ran really hot. It seemed like a good buy, 13w dimmable COB LED for about $50. At 100% it grew chaeto really well in my little fuge. I went back to the old school tried and true 6500k PC bulb in a shop clamp lamp. Its cheap, relieable and grows cheato really well. My experience with a China LED.

 

[Victoria M]

I just wanted to share with anyone reading about different chaeto lighting options that the light was ultimately not a good idea of a open top refugium. I one heck of a shock from it when my hands were in the tank and my elbow bumped the light. it has been taken down. at this time I am not using a light at all. but that is another story.

 

[Tampaman]

The cheapest fixture you can find for a retrofit/diy Metal halide setup, im not hidding a pretty $300 led which only trys imitate what a genetic mh lamp could do...go 250w!