Neptune GRO vs Kessil H380

[Jon's Reef]

Figured some others may find this info useful. I have been using a Kessil H380 for my refugium but wanted to try the Neptune GRO to see how it compares. In particular, I was wondering how the par distribution compares.

Sump: Crystal Reef Aquatics TRS30. The refugium section is ~11x11x15" (filled to 13").
Flow rate: 600 GPH
Dosing Method: Triton
Macro type: Chaeto (thin strain variety)
NO4: 9 ppm, dose 2 ml Neonitro and 2 ml Acropower per day
PO4: 0.05 ppm


Kessil H380 Settings:
Setting: Grow
Height: 9" to the light, 5" to the shade edge

GRO settings:
Height: 2" off the water surface

Current Issues:

• Light spill causing coralline growth in the skimmer
• Due to lowering of the light, brown chaeto on the surface. I flip it about 1 time per week.
• new system in the works with rectangular refugium, so 1-2 of these may be a better fit vs the H380.

Some Pics:

Kessil without shade:

Kessil with shade:

GRO:

Par maps:

First impression is that it is quite a bit weaker in terms of par. For reference, here is a pic of my chaeto currently (grown under the H380, pruned about a week ago)

The left side is "open" due to the flow and recent pruning. Under the surface there is a fairly nice green chunk. At the surface, it appears that it grows most healthy around the edge in the 500 par zone. I checked par under the surface/ chaeto and there is no significant difference. It goes to 0 fairly quickly with a small amount of chaeto blocking the light. I think the Kessil would work more ideally if I could have the chaeto constantly spinning, but with this sump setup that is difficult to do/ not possible.

 

[Doctorgori]

I dunno about the par distribution but that algae in my skimmer was annoying me also....to the point on spending $130 on the GRO. Anyway. It must have a LOT less par because I can place it pretty close to the surface w/o bleaching the chaeto or lettuce

 

[hart24601]

The gro is 20w while the h380 is 90w so right off the bat you have a light with 4.5x more power. In addition the h380 is a cluster and narrow angle so it packs an insane punch in a small area. This can be a pro or con depending on setup, if a deep Refugium is used it can penetrate through a very dense ball. The gro is much weaker and distributed over a larger area - so the par will be far less, but again depending on the situation it may be more appropriate for some with a longer sump that want the light mounted close.

 

[becon776]

wondering how all you guys are finding this switch?? I just ordered the GRO bc of these exact problems with the H380