Light suggestions for refugium/frag tank

[Reefinmike]

Hey all, I’m starting up a 40 breeder( https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/40-breeder-reef-build.505771/ ). Long story short I’ve decided to forgo the skimmer in favor of a nice light for my sump. Initially I’d like to use it to grow out a bunch of monti frags to increase the alk demand, kalk dosing and ph. As nutrient levels build in the tank i’d like to grow some cheato under the monti frags. Once the alk demand outgrows kalk topoff and nitrates get above 0.5 I’ll transition to only growing cheato in the fuge. Over time I may add a skimmer and the lights purpose may change. Any good suggestions? I’d like to keep it under $200.


I’ve been considering the AI prime because they seem to be a well proven reef light with easily controlled spectrum and intensity. I know it has a proper spectrum to grow coral but how does it serve as a refugium light? What about a spectrum for growing both coral and algae? My sump is a 29 gallon tank and the fuge/frag chamber will be 20”L/12”W/14H. Maximum mounting distance above the water level is 12”

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I would not recommend having a fuge and frag tank all in one. But lights that would meet both demands of a frag tank and a fuge would be Kessil a360we or a360x, AI Prime or Hydra 26, Radion XR-15. All will work well to grow frags and chaeto when tuned to a more 14k daylight spectrum. It all depends on how much coverage you want and what your budget is.

 

[Reefinmike]

Those are all unfortunately way out of my price range. My budget for a light i’ll never see is $200. I have a couple kessils on my 90 and don’t discount the value of a quality light but I’m really only needing to effectively light a 1sq/ft area. 12x12x12. Algae growing capabilities are secondary to it’s use as a coral light. I don’t intend to have many fish so that in it’s own is a growth limiting factor for algae. Raising the ph is the initial priority. Nutrient removal isn’t so vital since I don't like a lot of fish.

 

[jda]

You can grow chaeto with some screw-in CFLs more than well enough.

For a frag tank, I would match the lights in your display or go with some generically good lighting like a 2 bulb T5 or a small wattage MH that all corals thrive under. This might be hard under-tank where T5 might not fit and it might be too humid for nice panels.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Some like the AI Prime is the light for you or if you can find a deal on a used A160WE. If you are just going keep lower par corals in the frag section the even an A80 or even a PAR38 bulb would work.

 

[Wrasse-cal]

Those are all unfortunately way out of my price range. My budget for a light i’ll never see is $200. I have a couple kessils on my 90 and don’t discount the value of a quality light but I’m really only needing to effectively light a 1sq/ft area. 12x12x12. Algae growing capabilities are secondary to it’s use as a coral light. I don’t intend to have many fish so that in it’s own is a growth limiting factor for algae. Raising the ph is the initial priority. Nutrient removal isn’t so vital since I don't like a lot of fish.

As far as a fuge light is concerned, I'm having good success with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XZ29G31/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

It was $15.99, so I figured I'd give it a go before spending more on a Kessil light. Seems thus far to be working great. I doubt it would do as well as a coral light.

 

[Brett newell]

I used to use the one that wrasse-cal suggested. Worked great. I upgraded to a UFO led light that has the same watts and light pattern as the kessil h380. I will try to post the link. I am having even better growth with this light. I upgraded because I put a bigger sump under tank with a fuge double the size.


https://www.amazon.com/Growstar-Spe...X236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=ufo+led&psc=1

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Get the brightest 56k leds you can find. It’ll grow coral and algae.
The Phillips full spectrum led is 48k and I know they grow coral.
Cuz both are full spectrum.

 

[Reefinmike]

I used to use the one that wrasse-cal suggested. Worked great. I upgraded to a UFO led light that has the same watts and light pattern as the kessil h380. I will try to post the link. I am having even better growth with this light. I upgraded because I put a bigger sump under tank with a fuge double the size.

Hmm this is pretty tempting. I know it probably wont grow coral great. At that price who cares. Is it dimmable? A quick search didn’t give me an answer.

If it isn’t dimmable it might be too powerful for my sump.