Overthinking refugium?

[WvAquatics]

CYLED 120W LED Canopy Light Industrial Waterproof Explosion-Proof Outdoor High Bay Balcony Car Park Lane Gas Station Ceiling Light Equivalent 550W HID/HPS 16000 Lm 6000K DLC Qualified https://a.co/d/d64Izpf
Am I overthinking my refugium light? Do you think this would grow macros well? Too much?

 

[Formulator]

YES, you are waaaayyy overthinking it. And overspending. Macro algae is not very demanding. You can use a cheap utility fixture with a compact fluorescent bulb you would use in your garage. Bonus points if you get an LED plant light. Still can find at home depot in a standard screw-in bulb configuration.

 

[PezJunkie]

Agreed... my fuge light is a LED grow light in a cheap clamp-on lamp like this:

 

[Formulator]

Agreed... my fuge light is a LED grow light in a cheap clamp-on lamp like this:

Haha, looks familiar!

 

[Formulator]

Funny story, I actually used a giant gas station light I found in a dumpster with a sodium bulb to grow a certain plant when I was in college…

Totally overkill for macro algae though.

 

[WvAquatics]

Yeah I figured.

 

[Dburr1014]

Funny story, I actually used a giant gas station light I found in a dumpster with a sodium bulb to grow a certain plant when I was in college…

Totally overkill for macro algae though.

They do grow WEEDs don't they!

 

[Formulator]

You sparked my interest with that light on amazon though, and considering my past success with industrial bulbs and growing things. I bet that light would grow corals decently well, and at a fraction of the cost of reef LED fixtures…

 

[Dburr1014]

I use a 65k led spot light bulb. Home depot like $6

 

[Gill the 3rd]

Agree with everyone else. I use the clamp on housing with an LED grow light from home depot. My chaeto grows so dense that it is in a brick shape when I remove it from my refugium.

 

[WvAquatics]

My plan is a display refugium. And I could mount that in the stand I'm working on and I figured it would do the job.

You sparked my interest with that light on amazon though, and considering my past success with industrial bulbs and growing things. I bet that light would grow corals decently well, and at a fraction of the cost of reef LED fixtures…

I have been looking at the led halogen replacements for the top of the tank. But nothing makes the 14k range. So now I onto the refugium. Thinking about the noopsyche mini for refugium now after a days research

 

[Formulator]

My plan is a display refugium. And I could mount that in the stand I'm working on and I figured it would do the job.

I have been looking at the led halogen replacements for the top of the tank. But nothing makes the 14k range. So now I onto the refugium. Thinking about the noopsyche mini for refugium now after a days research

I can just hear my dad in the back of my head “don’t let that money burn a hole in your pocket!”

But that is your own prerogative, I suppose. Hygger makes good LED strips for half the price that will do fine for algae if you just want something that looks sleek.

 

[PharmrJohn]

The one part of a tank that can still be managed successfully with 1960s tech, lol.