Best Fuge light money can buy

[scriptmonkey]

Think I am going to save my pennies and get the H380 but maybe I will try the UFO first. That is high PUR and not a massive mistake if it does not work out.

But I cannot argue with BRS logic on not expecting a cheap fuge light to out compete big dollar main display lights in my case will be 3x Orphek Atlantik v4 gen2 compacts.

 

[wangspeed]

For a 14x14, it would be hard to beat this:

Waterproof 100W LED Grow Light Full Spectrum, New Technology Cob Led Grow Light, Natural Heat Dissipation Without Noise, Suitable For Plants All Growing Stage Indoor Or Outdoor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0776SXJSS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_e.dxCbTMY4XEF

I have the 200W version, which is really 100W. The 100W is actually 50W outlet draw. Grows cheato like crazy.

That’s a 12x24 fuge outcompeting algae in a 220 gallon 7’ aquarium. It’s lit by 5 GHL Mitras, and it’s totally nuisance algae free.

 

[Nick forlini]

This should say "the best light you can fit" cant really be putting that crazy monster kessil on the back of my biocube. I went with one off of amazon that works great and has a modest price point that most importantly fits https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B076...gium+light&dpPl=1&dpID=41O0JheRznL&ref=plSrch

 

[shiftline]

I’m extremely impressed and getting amazing growth with the new AI Fuge light
Aqua Illumination AI Prime Fuge Refugium LED Light Fixture - Chaetomorpha explosion!

 

[dantimdad]

ok so you remove the other thing pulling out nutrients and think that the light is the reason you got such great growth?

OK....

 

[RayMejia2016]

I’m using this on a 9 x 7 x 9. It’s meh but tank is happy.

 

[laverda]

So right now we have I see the following choices:

• Kessil H80
• Kessil H160
• Kessil H380
• Kessil H1200
• AI Prime Fuge HD
• Innovative Marine ChaetoMax
• Orphek OR60 Refugium

I feel most of these are way overpriced. I picked up some 12x12x1/2" Red and Blue LED grow lights on Amazon for just $25.00 each and they work fantastic. They work much better than the 65K fluorescents I was using in the past. There are all sorts of sizes and shapes available. I don't know how you can justify $400 versus $25.

 

[dantimdad]

I feel most of these are way overpriced. I picked up some 12x12x1/2" Red and Blue LED grow lights on Amazon for just $25.00 each and they work fantastic. They work much better than the 65K fluorescents I was using in the past. There are all sorts of sizes and shapes available. I don't know how you can justify $400 versus $25.

Because you just don't get it. LOL! Just kidding man. I totally agree with you.

 

[Greg Gdowski]

Small 14x14x14

How much height do you have above the refugium?
I have a H380. I have to hang it fairly high above the tank because it is almost to bright.
You can't adjust its output -- so the only way you can regulate intensity is with height.

Also... what macroalgae do you want to grow? Each macroalgae has different lighting and circulation needs.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

So I ended up buying multiple grow lights from Amazon. They varied from 20w to 300w. The way I get the best growth is having two of the 20w above the macro, 2 of the 40w hitting it from the wider panel 1/2 down the fuge, and finally a 300w shooting horizontally across the narrower panel of the fuge. Insane growth and no dead spots anywhere. Can fill a large bucket with chaeto every 2 weeks. When you have a lot of growth either water changes or dosing trace elements is critical to maintain it. The two big ones that really help maintain my growth is Fe and I.

 

[Katrina71]

Look at @cromag27 site. Steve's LED is making a sweet fuge light that will fit your size fuge. The price is decent too.

 

[Square_D]

I wonder if anyone has tried a dimmable option from Amazon at less than 100 bucks.
The ability to dim is something that seems benefitial for tuning a refugium.
A lot of these are ul certified, and they are made to be used in humid greenhouses.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076J82KQR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fJkxCb0ARZZ7E

 

[Halal Hotdog]

I wonder if anyone has tried a dimmable option from Amazon at less than 100 bucks.
The ability to dim is something that seems benefitial for tuning a refugium.
A lot of these are ul certified, and they are made to be used in humid greenhouses.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076J82KQR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fJkxCb0ARZZ7E

I have a very similar 300w grow light that is not dimmable. It puts out a significant amount of light. I compensate by increasing the distance between the light and the macro algae. Dimmable would be a great option to have at this wattage.

 

[Square_D]

I have a very similar 300w grow light that is not dimmable. It puts out a significant amount of light. I compensate by increasing the distance between the light and the macro algae. Dimmable would be a great option to have at this wattage.

The one I shared I think is only 120w actual but I think there is a stronger version.
With the dimming it would probably rock for a 14x14x14 area without having to adjust height .

 

[Avkidd75]

That is about the max area I found the H80 to be effective. It covers a large area but not with enough intensity to be effective. The biggest issue I ran into with the H80 was it's ability to penetrate more than a few inches. The H160 improved that a little bit (I have both running over our refugium at the moment to see if I can lower nutrients further than the H160 alone but dont have an conclusive results yet. I heavily feed our fish so I'm asking more of the refugium than most reefers.

When you get your results please do share I’m up grading from a 55g to a 90g and want to add light to the fuge I have a H80 on there already I’m doing the triton method too

 

[ReefyB]

I’m using the IM Chaetomax on my AIO and love it so far.

 

[mitch miller]

Fuge Light = Light that used to be on the DT! Amiright?

 

[REEFING_MACHINE]

This would honestly be a better question for a hydroponics forum lol.

You could probably get a better led for less $$$ on a site like this.
https://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/products/grow-lights/grow-lights-led.html

 

[Jsieger89]

the h380 is far from a amature light. grows algae great and a real deal fuge light. the h1200 however is a absolute monster .... my vote for the best use lotta money can buy but probably overkill in a lot of situations .... link to brs reviewing the 2

H380, hah, amateur hour. The H1200, now that’s a serious fuge light.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Kessil H380 and if you are looking for budget priced yet effective- IM chaeto light. Very bright and so small