Confusion over refugium lighting - Please Advise

[Atoll on me]

I recently switched to a 40 gallon breeder with baffles as a sump. Because of this my refugium is now rectangle shaped as opposed to square. In the past I used a 36W Hygger eyeball light and it seemed to work great. It grew chaeto and there is some coral in the sump as well that grew. But now there is to much light spillage and not enough coverage length wise with that light so I would like to get a bar shaped light to fit the new rectangle shape better.

What I am confused about is wattage for refugium lights and Par. I read that I want to the refugium to outcompete the display tank when it comes to Par. But then when I look up popular refugium lights I often see very low par options like the Tunze Chic or ChaetoGro Max which are both 9W.

So what should I really be going for in the Refugium? Higher par? Grow spectrum lighting? Mix of both?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[TX_REEF]

I think spectrum is most important, you generally want to shy away from the blue-focused spectrum that benefits corals. A lot of folks go with a red "bloom" type spectrum, I've found that closer to daylight works best for me. Every system is a bit different. I've had decent success with this: https://amzn.to/4obafAL

 

[TX_REEF]

also, as far as light spillage is concerned, I like to use "barn doors" to restrict the light to exactly where I need it when it comes to fuge lighting, so you don't get algae growth where it isn't wanted: https://amzn.to/4laLVws

 

[Atoll on me]

also, as far as light spillage is concerned, I like to use "barn doors" to restrict the light to exactly where I need it when it comes to fuge lighting, so you don't get algae growth where it isn't wanted: https://amzn.to/4laLVws

Thank you!

I actually looked at that light! I was thinking of getting two because my refugium is about 18 inches long, but only 6 inches wide.

Do you think that would be to much wattage with them both being 100W?

 

[TX_REEF]

I think one would do just fine, just mount it a bit higher and use a barndoor to shape the light output to fit the narrow fuge

Alternatively, the Tunze fuge light would be perfect for your long, narrow application and is submersible which helps with overheating and allows more light consumption by the algae.

 

[X-37B]

Take a look at the Tunze fuge light.
It would fit that space and is waterproof and submersible.

 

[X-37B]

I think one would do just fine, just mount it a bit higher and use a barndoor to shape the light output to fit the narrow fuge

Alternatively, the Tunze fuge light would be perfect for your long, narrow application and is submersible which helps with overheating and allows more light consumption by the algae.

Ha, you beat me to it, lol.

 

[get-salty]

My refugium is roughly 16x7 and im using Tunze Chic for almost 4 yrs. Grows Chaeto like a champ. Keep in mind, if you're concern about wattage, then get two of the Chic. Since its submersible, put one on the bottom and one on top. Im only using one bc i have a Nero3 power head in there that rotate the chaeto - its pretty amazing to watch ; )