Refugium Lighting Question

[Tenelen]

I have a spare AI prime and I was wondering on what peoples thoughts are on using it for a refug light. Since you can dial in the proper plant growth spectrum and it has decient par/pur values would this be a viable option? I know the Kessil H380 is pretty awesome as a refug light but I have this AI prime and I don't want to drop $300. Any thoughts? Thanks in Advance!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I have a spare AI prime and I was wondering on what peoples thoughts are on using it for a refug light. Since you can dial in the proper plant growth spectrum and it has decient par/pur values would this be a viable option? I know the Kessil H380 is pretty awesome as a refug light but I have this AI prime and I don't want to drop $300. Any thoughts? Thanks in Advance!

You could, raise the blue, uv, and red, and drop the green and white light

 

[Tenelen]

You could, raise the blue, uv, and red, and drop the green and white light

Do you think it will sustain good chaetomorpha algae growth?

 

[Finhead]

YOu wont get the par needed out of a Prime, the white is too high of a K for good plant growth and there isn't enough Red diodes to do the job very well. UV will do nothing for algae growth. I would sell it and buy a light with a better spectrume, a 3500K LED flood light would be far better suited for this if you looking for a cheap option

 

[Finhead]

Something like this for a cheaper version light would work great for Macro Algae.

https://www.amazon.ca/Viugreum-Wate...8631&sr=1-13&keywords=waterproof+30W+warm+LED

 

[Tenelen]

So I changed my mind with the AI Prime and I went with this for my fuge. I am going to use the Prime for a 29gal Softy frag tank.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-El...ant-Grow-Light-Bulb-BR30-GROW-LEDG2/302049327

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

An Ai will grow algae in a display with “coral colors “ and spectrum. It’ll grow algae in a Refugium. You really only need 100 par and less.

 

[Tenelen]

An Ai will grow algae in a display with “coral colors “ and spectrum. It’ll grow algae in a Refugium. You really only need 100 par and less.

When I had 2 AI's running in my 60 gal cube as display I had no issues with algae and had pretty good coral growth, and I am actually adding the Aquatic life t5 hybrid fixture to the set up so I can do more SPS. I mentioned the AI in the refuge since I saw the performance of the H380 and how it helped cheto growth and minimize algae in a BRS test video. Since the AI can mimic the spectrum (not the par) of the H380 I figured it could be an option, but I decided to go with a LED grow light.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

When I had 2 AI's running in my 60 gal cube as display I had no issues with algae and had pretty good coral growth, and I am actually adding the Aquatic life t5 hybrid fixture to the set up so I can do more SPS. I mentioned the AI in the refuge since I saw the performance of the H380 and how it helped cheto growth and minimize algae in a BRS test video. Since the AI can mimic the spectrum (not the par) of the H380 I figured it could be an option, but I decided to go with a LED grow light.

Yup.
Many others with those Lights do have algae issues in the DT.
Coral and algae share very similar needs as far as Light goes.