Wasted Refugium Light?

golver1 · Apr 18, 2019

After less than 2 weeks of usage I replaced the Current USA Orbit 4102 36" Marine LED light I had on my 75 gallon with an ATI Sunpower 8x54 T5 fixture. I was talked into buying the Current USA Orbit fixture by a local shop. I just never felt comfortable with it and they aren't willing to allow the return after 7 days.

I'm adding an Eshopps R-100 2nd gen sump/refugium to my setup this weekend. I was thinking about mounting the Current USA Orbit LED light on the refugium. I will probably move the bracket higher to provide easier access to the sump for maintenance and such. I just want to grow Chaeto or other basic easy, yet beneficial macro algae for now.

I have questions:
- Anyone else do something like this?
- Will this work or is the light the wrong spectrum?
- I can adjust the red, green, white, & blue individual spectrum from the loop controller. What would be a good setting? Mostly Red?
- Are there enough individual LEDs over the refugium chamber for it to work?
- Any concerns with lighting the other chambers too?
- Is this a waste?

laverda · Apr 18, 2019

I would sell that light and get a red and blue LED grow light suitable for the area you want to light. You can get grow lights for less than $25 on amazon in a wide variety of configurations. They will grow algae’s much better. I show some in my DIY ATS thread.

golver1 · Apr 18, 2019

I tried to sell it, but didn't get any interest. Since I already own it that makes it cheaper than buying something else, regardless of cost so I mine as well find a way to use it. Do you think it will work if I set the spectrum to:
Red - 100%
Blue - 100%
Green - 0%
White - 0%