Lighting for Aquafuge2 Large

[JediFish]

I have purchased the Aquafuge2 Large HOB refugium for my 90gal mixed reef tank. From comments I had read, I chose not to get the unit with LED light included, instead opting for the ChaetoMax refugium light.

My problem: The LED light that would come with the large Aquafuge2 is 13w. The ChaetoMax light comes in two iterations: 9w and the double, 18w. Not wanting to skimp on lighting, I purchased the 18w unit. The 18w ChaetoMax light is extremely bright, and I'm worried it is much too bright for this refugium. It will be attached to the center-front of the refugium rather than overhead.

My question: Should I return the 18w and purchase the 9w instead? The Chaeto and pods are not coming until next week.

 

[fushi]

I have purchased the Aquafuge2 Large HOB refugium for my 90gal mixed reef tank. From comments I had read, I chose not to get the unit with LED light included, instead opting for the ChaetoMax refugium light.

My problem: The LED light that would come with the large Aquafuge2 is 13w. The ChaetoMax light comes in two iterations: 9w and the double, 18w. Not wanting to skimp on lighting, I purchased the 18w unit. The 18w ChaetoMax light is extremely bright, and I'm worried it is much too bright for this refugium. It will be attached to the center-front of the refugium rather than overhead.

My question: Should I return the 18w and purchase the 9w instead? The Chaeto and pods are not coming until next week.

I wouldn't be worried about too much light, cheto can handle a lot of light, if its pulling out too much nutrients just reduce the amount of time the light is on.

 

[JediFish]

I wouldn't be worried about too much light, cheto can handle a lot of light, if its pulling out too much nutrients just reduce the amount of time the light is on.

Thank you!

The refugium holds almost 5 gallons, but is only about five inches front-to-back, and the light would be right up against the Chaeto.

I was planning to use a smart plug to schedule the light on for maybe three hours, off for three, then on again for three hours (night schedule), at least until the quantity of Chaeto fairly fills the refugium.

The problem with this, I only have 5gz WiFi, and all the smart plugs I have found only support 2.4Gz. I may have to use a mechanical timer to accomplish this.

But wow! That 18w Chaetomax unit is bright!

 

[fushi]

Thank you!

The refugium holds almost 5 gallons, but is only about five inches front-to-back, and the light would be right up against the Chaeto.

I was planning to use a smart plug to schedule the light on for maybe three hours, off for three, then on again for three hours (night schedule), at least until the quantity of Chaeto fairly fills the refugium.

The problem with this, I only have 5gz WiFi, and all the smart plugs I have found only support 2.4Gz. I may have to use a mechanical timer to accomplish this.

But wow! That 18w Chaetomax unit is bright!

Anytime, happy to help

A lot of times the cheap mechanical times last longer lol

I would also constantly test nitrates and phosphates so you can see how much the refugium pulls out. It will really help you to get the hang of how often you need to remove cheto.

 

[afrokobe]

I have purchased the Aquafuge2 Large HOB refugium for my 90gal mixed reef tank. From comments I had read, I chose not to get the unit with LED light included, instead opting for the ChaetoMax refugium light.

My problem: The LED light that would come with the large Aquafuge2 is 13w. The ChaetoMax light comes in two iterations: 9w and the double, 18w. Not wanting to skimp on lighting, I purchased the 18w unit. The 18w ChaetoMax light is extremely bright, and I'm worried it is much too bright for this refugium. It will be attached to the center-front of the refugium rather than overhead.

My question: Should I return the 18w and purchase the 9w instead? The Chaeto and pods are not coming until next week.

I run the tunze ecochic on my aquafuge small. I love the light. Its honestly a little large for the small, but I think it will be perfect for the large. I would return the chaetomax and get the ecochic if you can. It being submersible is really nice for this hob fuge. Also look into upgrading your pump for the fuge, if you are having trouble with chaeto growth/flow

I run my lights for 16 hours, on opposite schedule of my display lights. I also blacked out the entire fuge with black vinyl to kill any light bleed, which having a submersible light is a godsend. I hated having the purple light bleed into my living room

 

[JediFish]

... get the ecochic if you can. It being submersible is really nice ...

I run my lights for 16 hours, on opposite schedule of my display lights. I also blacked out the entire fuge with black vinyl to kill any light bleed, which having a submersible light is a godsend. I hated having the purple light bleed into my living room

I'll definitely look into the Eco Chic again. My initial purchase was based on reviews of the Aquafuge2 I had read saying not to get the (wide spectrum) light, but to get the Chaetomax light instead. When I read reviews of the Chaetomax I was impressed enough I didn't look any further. I didn't see the Eco Chic until after my purchase.

I like the submersible aspect of the Eco Chic, but it keeping the light clean a problem?

And although I know comparing LED wattages to light output is like comparing apples to oranges, I'm still concerned if 9w is enough, which brings me back to my original concern: is the 18w Chaetomax too much for the large Aquafuge2, would the 9w be better?

The refugium is more for pod production than nutrient export, as there are a number of corals but will be lightly stocked with fish. However, pod production is only one of several advantages to having a refugium.

I definitely plan to put a dark wrap around the refugium and run the light schedule opposite that of the DT. Since I can't adjust the intensity of the light, I will run short hours at first, then ramp up as the refugium fills with Chaeto.

... I would also constantly test nitrates and phosphates so you can see how much the refugium pulls out. ...

... cheto can handle a lot of light, if its pulling out too much nutrients just reduce the amount of time the light is on.

This is also a concern, the risk of stripping nutrients too efficiently and impacting coral growth.

Thanks everyone for your input!