Kessil Planted FW Light for Refugium?

[Chuck Lawson]

I've been getting back into reef tanks recently after taking a few years off doing planted FW.

I was looking at ordering the Kessil H380 for refugium lighting, but I do have a couple of Kessil A160 and A360 "Tuna Sun" (planted FW) lights and was wondering how well (or poorly) they might do as refugium lights?

Has anyone tried them or have any thoughts?

 

[scuzy]

I have used a150 Amazon sun and they work good. But the h380 worked the best for me.

 

[Chuck Lawson]

Thanks. I suppose I probably should just try to sell them and go with the H380 to begin with.

 

[kinetic]

The H380 would be great for the chlorophyll-A/B growth. BRS did a video on multiple lights, including the H380.

BTW, I'm looking for a A160 Tuna sun for a small project. Let me know if you're looking to offload one ;)

 

[BlueCursor]

H380 has been best refugium light for me. The thing I like best is the nightly pH benefit I get from it. I wasn't getting as much pH benefit from other LED lights, even a 6500K PAR 38 LED.

Because it has more red, you can expect more algae. Just get a turbo or some big bulldozer snail to keep it clean. 2 Mexican turbo snails keep my refugium algae free. They also make lots of poop for pods.

 

[Chuck Lawson]

Thanks guys. Will go with the H380.

@kinetic -- my eldest is trying to snag some of them for his planted tanks; they may end up under the xmas tree :-) If I end up with an A160 left, I'll be happy to PM you!

 

[BlueCursor]

these aren't good for a planted tank. They are way too red. Without blue light, plants grow tall and stringy. Plus algae will be a problem. Not to mention the planted tank will look red and not very nice.

 

[hart24601]

If you have the a360 I wouldn’t sell them just for a h380! Sure the h380 is more efficient, but they are same number of watts, just h380 has better spectrum, but not like 360 won’t grow macro like a champ. Many people want a 380 that’s dimmable as it’s too strong for some systems so the 360 is great.

I use a160 on my planted discus tanks and actually use a h380 on pitcher plants I grow in the external overflow but I run the 380 when I am at work.

 

[BlueCursor]

A bare bottom planted tank. Impressive!

 

[kinetic]

Thanks guys. Will go with the H380.

@kinetic -- my eldest is trying to snag some of them for his planted tanks; they may end up under the xmas tree :) If I end up with an A160 left, I'll be happy to PM you!

Yes please do! That would be amazing =)