Refugium help

[Biff0rz]

So back in the day, I built my fuge in-line in my sump and used a simple clamp light to grow algae (like this one: ). It seemed to work just fine. Today I see a lot of remote fuge's and way more powerful lighting (that's expensive). I'm sort of confused, but, has general guidance changed in regards to how a fuge is done? I was simply planning on throwing some chaeto in my sump and tossing a cheap lamp on it. I'm sort of wondering if I should be thinking about this differently. I did just pick up this LED grow light (), but I also found out it's quite large. So I figured I'd get some opinions.

 

[ScubaFish802]

I’ve seen people have have success with the cheap LEDs that come on a roll like these -

Full-Spectrum Hydroponics Waterproof LED Grow Strip

Give your flowers and plants the Full-Spectrum lighting that's critical for growth (from seeding to harvest) Lightweight, and easily install-able: this LED strip is not only energy efficient, but comes with a lifespan of 50,000 hours. Perfect for: Small Grow Boxes, Grow Tents, DIY Hydroponics...

commonbunny.com

 

[Michael White]

A cheap light will work but may need a long photo period or even 24 hrs. I think most people, including myself, are just experiencing much more effective nutrient export using more ideal spectrum from higher end lights. So you can get a more effective nutrient export from a modest sized fuge. BRS investigates did a bunch of great videos on this, might check them out on youtube. I would just start with a cheap light and if you find that it can’t keep up, get an adjustable led grow light off of amazon. Not as expensive, or fancy as specialized fuge lights but crazy effective bang for you buck. Good luck

 

[mcshams]

I love how @Michael White said it. I think cheap lights and expensive lights both work, but I have noticed a difference in the growth rate and nutrient export in higher end lights. I have used Kessil 360 and AI Prime Refug light. I love both, but favor the kessil, but that is because of AI's light spread just being too much and casting light over my entire sump (and I have an aftermarket 3D printed shade for that light and it still spreads too far).

 

[Pistondog]

This one works well for me, I have it sitting on top of the fige with a small air gap,

 

[Oscar Rivera]

I went from a kessil 360. To a led from home depot and it grows about the same

 

[vlangel]

I am using cheap par 30 bulbs on my refugium, (which is a 30 gallon XH) and the 2 par 30 bulbs grow my macro algae like crazy. So much growth that I have to prune weekly so my display does not get nutrient starved.

 

[Saltyreef]

I have no problem growing anything with my cheap amazon ACKE lights

If i went highend id go ai prime fuge.

But thats because ive been using AI fixtures for 10 years

 

[Oscar Rivera]

I have no problem growing anything with my cheap amazon ACKE lights

If i went highend id go ai prime fuge.

But thats because ive been using AI fixtures for 10 years

do you have a link to this light?

 

[Saltyreef]

Heres the one i use for the phyto.

And heres the smaller one i use for the fuge

 

[Michael White]

This one works well for me, I have it sitting on top of the fige with a small air gap,

Yeah, I think there is enough grow light support for normal plant growers that you don’t need any kind of aquarium specific light, just something designed for strong plant growth. Corals are a different matter though, IMO