Display Refugium Lighting

[rooneyj889]

Hey all, I am setting up a 40G Display Refugium in my Fish Room. I was thinking about using a viparspectra black box as the lighting. What are you guys all using for lighting for display refugiums? Does anyone have any alternatives?

 

[SMSREEF]

I am using this Par38. I bought the red first and hated it, plus I had dragons breath that was not doing well. This one is much whiter and looks a lot better and grows all macro algae well.

 

[Kjames]

I've been experimenting with flat-panel LEDs mounted on the sides of my refugium due to space constraints. I'm using these inexpensive lights.

One panel grew plenty of Chaetomorpha but after adding a second one, I've seen a very dramatic shift in growth and the subsequent effect on overnight pH. My fuge compartment is about 9" x 14" for reference. For a display refugium, the abundance of visible red LEDs could be a no-go.

I have also used this bulb for testing. It is a solid performer for indoor plants and is intentionally designed to be used around human eyes. Two over a 40g would be near overkill.

Neither is particularly beautiful, but both will grow plants very well.

 

[Tamberav]

Hey all, I am setting up a 40G Display Refugium in my Fish Room. I was thinking about using a viparspectra black box as the lighting. What are you guys all using for lighting for display refugiums? Does anyone have any alternatives?

I have had several macro tanks or display fuges and have used black box led, kessil, and nano-box and they all have worked great! Anything that will grow coral will grow and look great on a display fuge.

 

[SMSREEF]

I have had several macro tanks or display fuges and have used black box led, kessil, and nano-box and they all have worked great! Anything that will grow coral will grow and look great on a display fuge.

Very true! Even lights that won’t grow coral will work too.