Budget refugium light.

[Legal Reefer]

I'm looking for some low cost lighting for my refugium. The area I want coverage is approximately 12"x 24". It will have sand, live rock and possibly some clean up crew members if they become agressive. I would like to grow macroalgae and coraline algae if I can find something that will work for under $50.00. If not I'll just shoot for the macroalgae growth for now. Appreciate any recommendations.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm looking for some low cost lighting for my refugium. The area I want coverage is approximately 12"x 24". It will have sand, live rock and possibly some clean up crew members if they become agressive. I would like to grow macroalgae and coraline algae if I can find something that will work for under $50.00. If not I'll just shoot for the macroalgae growth for now. Appreciate any recommendations.

@BigJohnny uses this light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07312WKX2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_6VYmAbQH2G87R
and it grows chaeto like crazy for him :)

 

[Greybeard]

I'm using this one... been in place for what, 8 months now? Works great, grows macro, no problems.

https://www.amazon.com/6500K-Aquari...=T5+Dual+6500K+Aquarium+Light+Freshwater&th=1

 

[77railer]

If the purpose of your refugium is to combat algae in the display tank and reduce nitrates then at a minimum I would recommend the Kessil H80 which blows your budget at $129. This light flat out grows the snot out of any algae you throw at it. However, if you are just wanting to grow stuff in a refugium for the purpose of growing several types of macro algae a compact fluorescent 75w 6500k bulb with a clip on dome type shade will give off the correct spectrum and grow some macro...all in your at maybe $20. If your wanting to go led the amazon has several decent grow lights for under $50. Here is a link to their search...
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Lamps-25-50/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n:14252941,p_36:2661613011

Hope this helps.

 

[Legal Reefer]

@BigJohnny uses this light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07312WKX2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_6VYmAbQH2G87R
and it grows chaeto like crazy for him :)

Thanks for the info and link.

 

[Legal Reefer]

I'm using this one... been in place for what, 8 months now? Works great, grows macro, no problems.

https://www.amazon.com/6500K-Aquarium-Light-Freshwater-Extendable/dp/B01IFIOYJ6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1520353707&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=T5+Dual+6500K+Aquarium+Light+Freshwater&th=1

Thanks for the info

 

[Legal Reefer]

If the purpose of your refugium is to combat algae in the display tank and reduce nitrates then at a minimum I would recommend the Kessil H80 which blows your budget at $129. This light flat out grows the snot out of any algae you throw at it. However, if you are just wanting to grow stuff in a refugium for the purpose of growing several types of macro algae a compact fluorescent 75w 6500k bulb with a clip on dome type shade will give off the correct spectrum and grow some macro...all in your at maybe $20. If your wanting to go led the amazon has several decent grow lights for under $50. Here is a link to their search...
https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Lamps-25-50/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n:14252941,p_36:2661613011

Hope this helps.

Thanks

 

[mtraylor]

6500K floursecent Flood light bulb from home depot for about $8. Grows everything. Cant beat for the money.

 

[LetItReef]

I have this light when I used to run a macroalgae in my AIO tank and it had good growth.
And I also used it to grow Phytoplankton.
https://www.amazon.com/ACKE-Spectru...520377776&sr=1-4&keywords=acke+led+grow+light

 

[cracker]

I have one of these grows Chaeto just fine . My ref is a little smaller though. Maybe hang it a little higher.
https://www.amazon.com/TaoTronics-L...520378278&sr=1-18&refinements=p_36:2661613011

 

[Chef Tommy]

Purchased off Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B076ZNKDJ8?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd

Had light for a month now & macros doubled in size. Just changed my sump into around a 10 gallon refugium area a few days ago. I'll be switching to Triton and am interested in how the bulb will be soon as the dosing starts.

 

[mfinn]

I've been having good growth with sticking to 5k color temps spot lights at Lowes.
A couple years ago I switched to led bulbs in the 5k range.
When I first switched, they were all in the $25 range.
Now they seem like they are all under $10.

 

[MJNTWise]

I just ordered 2 0f these....
Haodude Led Grow light Bulb, 95W Full Spectrum Grow lights E26 Grow Plant Light for Hydroponics Greenhouse Organic, Lights For marijuana, Fish Tank, Hydroponic Aquatic Indoor Plants,Pack of 1

 

[BigJohnny]

@BigJohnny uses this light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07312WKX2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_6VYmAbQH2G87R
and it grows chaeto like crazy for him :)

Yup! My refugium is covered in coralline and filled with chaeto OP. I strongly recommend the growstar 150w ufo from amazon. Believe it was $41

 

[Legal Reefer]

Yup! My refugium is covered in coralline and filled with chaeto OP. I strongly recommend the growstar 150w ufo from amazon. Believe it was $41

I'm thinking that's what I'm going to go with. Thanks for the info.

 

[Legal Reefer]

Yep, just ordered the growstar 150 watt ufo with Cree COB. Thanks BigJohnny and thanks for all the good information everyone.

 

[Legal Reefer]

I'm thinking that's what I'm going to go with. Thanks for the info.

Thanks for your always helpful crabs_mcjones.

 

[Potatohead]

I had a 6500k CFL that was growing chaeto but it was slow growth and just kind of keeping it alive. I recently switched to one of the blue/red par38 LED grow lights from Amazon and in only four or five days the chaeto has grown a lot, probably increased 30% in size.

 

[MichaelM123]

Ill just leave this here...taotronics 36w led grow lamp...1500 par 15 inches below the light. 26 bucks on Amazon.

 

[P-Dub]

@BigJohnny uses this light https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07312WKX2/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_6VYmAbQH2G87R
and it grows chaeto like crazy for him :)

+1 for the above.