Refugium light recommendations

[starreef05]

Hello all. I have approximately 40 gallon refugium. It consists of cheato and red blade algae, live rock rubble, and deep fine sandbed. I would like to know a good reliable light for it. Please explain why you like it.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hello all. I have approximately 40 gallon refugium. It consists of cheato and red blade algae, live rock rubble, and deep fine sandbed. I would like to know a good reliable light for it. Please explain why you like it.

I've been using the Kessil H380 for a while now and absolutely love it. It has been tested to hit the red and blue spectrum for chlorophyll A and B absorption perfectly. And its powerful enough to compete against your display tank lighting for nutrients. It does come in at a higher price however. I've also seen very good reviews of the UFO grow lights on amazon which run around 40 to 60 bucks.

 

[Dennis Cartier]

H380 here over a 20 gallon brute fuge. Very effective. Be prepared to adjust fuge photo period / macro size to balance the nutrient export capabilities. The light really grows algae.

Dennis

 

[AlgaeBarn]

We at AlgaeBarn really like the Kessil H line (H80, H160, H380) for growing macroalgae. I really think the Kessil H160 is going to dominate most of the area as the H380 can be a little overpowering and if you don't have the vertical space to allow sufficient light/intensity diffusion, you can burn some of the algaes that are not properly acclimated to such high lighting. You could try to use light diffuser(egg crate) or mesh shade tarping to allow a sufficient acclimation time or you can adjust the photoperiod as @Dennis Cartier mentioned above.

With the H160, you can adjust the intensity instead of adjusting the light position! The H80 works well, but if you have a ton of light on your display tank, you may need something more powerful to outperform the display tank lights (I know Bulk Reef Supply did a fantastic video series on this).

Another reason we go with Kessils instead of cheap Amazon lights (some which will grow macroalgae very well) is that almost NONE of the Amazon lights are UL/ETL approved. Our insurance policies and leasing polices require us to use UL/ETL electronics.

 

[truetricia]

How do you guys feel about the new Kessil H80? It looks like a nice little compact light perfect for smaller sump refugiums.

 

[redpine42]

How do you guys feel about the new Kessil H80? It looks like a nice little compact light perfect for smaller sump refugiums.

H80 is growing things for us in my wifes plant fresh water aquarium real good. I have the H160 in fuge and my Chaeto is full of Green Hair Algae. Not real happy with my H160.

 

[Rogerga]

I have a Trigger Sapphire 34 sump which has a 10" x 14" refugium area. Do you think an H80 will be sufficient?

 

[fabutahoun]

Same here using H380 and love it

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have a Trigger Sapphire 34 sump which has a 10" x 14" refugium area. Do you think an H80 will be sufficient?

I would do the H160, I have the trigger 30 and the H80 wasn't cutting it for me.