Cheap refugium light Recommendations

[Afrashz]

Looking for suggestions for a cheap light for a small refugium I plan on building. I saw some in older posts but wasn’t sure if anything new has come around. I’m thinking 50$ or less. Some of the ones I saw people stated they run very hot I’d like to avoid that if possible. Thanks for any suggestions

 

[xxkenny90xx]

This is what I use. It's super bright

 

[Fish Think Pink]

I spent $7 for two bulbs and until bubble algae & Vibrant treatment wiped out my macroalgae, I was growing LOTS of red ogo!! I bought more Red Ogo and now have it growing in QT tank (have to stir it) but once I'm done with Vibrant - QT ogo goes to refugium so QT can be QT again... photobomb by yellow tang...

Credit for bulb research goes to Melev who saved me TONS of $$ - here is his link: https://www.melevsreef.com/articles/an-inexpensive-refugium-bulb

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Looking for suggestions for a cheap light for a small refugium I plan on building. I saw some in older posts but wasn’t sure if anything new has come around. I’m thinking 50$ or less. Some of the ones I saw people stated they run very hot I’d like to avoid that if possible. Thanks for any suggestions

PS - local home improvement store even has above in stock, refer post #3

 

[Neros503]

I use this and it's working great on the refugium in my biocube 29
-->
here's a picture of it in action, my chaeto has almost doubled in size since I got it.

 

[inktomi]

For sure a cheap growlight LED off Amazon/Ebay/etc.

 

[dedragon]

acke led grow light or the bozily pink one work very well

 

[Afrashz]

I ended up going with this one, thanks guys

 

[Pistondog]

I ended up going with this one, thanks guys

I drilled thru the corners and mounted 1/2" pvc Pipe as outriggers for supports over fuge.

 

[Afrashz]

I drilled thru the corners and mounted 1/2" pvc Pipe as outriggers for supports over fuge.

Got any pics? Im still unsure how I’ll mount

 

[Pistondog]

Got any pics? Im still unsure how I’ll mount

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Got any pics? Im still unsure how I’ll mount

It comes with cables for hanging it. Or it has a handle with a spot for a screw (which is how I did it)

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I spent $7 for two bulbs and until bubble algae & Vibrant treatment wiped out my macroalgae, I was growing LOTS of red ogo!! I bought more Red Ogo and now have it growing in QT tank (have to stir it) but once I'm done with Vibrant - QT ogo goes to refugium so QT can be QT again... photobomb by yellow tang...

Credit for bulb research goes to Melev who saved me TONS of $$ - here is his link: https://www.melevsreef.com/articles/an-inexpensive-refugium-bulb

I used melevs recommendations for a handful of years with pretty good results too!

 

[JosephM]

Sorry to get off track to OPs question but how high do you guys mount your refugium lights. I have maybe a 4-5 gal refuge section and had it like 1” above water surface but moved it to about 6” because it was burning the chaeto. I have the 150w Amazon one that I see many use

 

[Afrashz]

Sorry to get off track to OPs question but how high do you guys mount your refugium lights. I have maybe a 4-5 gal refuge section and had it like 1” above water surface but moved it to about 6” because it was burning the chaeto. I have the 150w Amazon one that I see many use

Thanks for asking I was wondering the same thing

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Around 8 inches would be perfect imo. But I ran into some mounting issues and now I have mine about 15 inches above the water. Still grows chaeto and mangroves just fine though

 

[JosephM]

Around 8 inches would be perfect imo. But I ran into some mounting issues and now I have mine about 15 inches above the water. Still grows chaeto and mangroves just fine though

Sweet. I have it close enough lol. I’ll keep monitoring it to make sure I don’t get any more burning. How long is your fuge photperiod. I started at 6 with my second batch and nitrates didn’t budge so I bumped it to 9hrs

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Sweet. I have it close enough lol. I’ll keep monitoring it to make sure I don’t get any more burning. How long is your fuge photperiod. I started at 6 with my second batch and nitrates didn’t budge so I bumped it to 9hrs

I honestly don't know, it's been so many years. I believe it's set at 18hrs on

 

[LegendaryCG]

I use this and it's working great on the refugium in my biocube 29
-->
here's a picture of it in action, my chaeto has almost doubled in size since I got it.

I have several of these, they work great.