Lighting for AIO refugium

Sw33tdave

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Hello Reefers,

I am setting up my refugium in the middle chamber of my AIO Hello Reef 15G nano tank. The first chamber is a filter sock I will be swapping out for a media caddy.

I have two questions:

1) How do I properly light my refugium so I don't get light spill over and what is the most economic way to light it? I saw an image where someone had this style of magnetic light hanging off the back of their tank and shining in. Like all AIOs my tank's filtration compartements are tinted black so would this actually work; does enough light actually shine through the tint for it to be effective? I was also looking a submersible light like the Tunze Eco Chic here. Or can you get away with something super cheap like this USB light if you're just growing chaeto? Recommendations would be great.

2) What is the proper descending order of filter media in a media caddy? I was looking at: Filter floss> charcoal> ceramic, but am in no way married to this order and would love any input.

Currently my tank has just finished its cycle and houses an early clean up crew. Ultimate goal is soft coral, pair of clowns, pistol/goby.

Thanks, as always, for help and advice!
 

Fish Fan

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Something like the CheatoMax light is a popular choice. This one lights from the back side, so I think you'd get more light in the fuge area than the light you're considering. This light requires that you remove a little of the black vinyl on the back of the tank where te light mounts, which is easy to do and easy to repair if needed.


I have an IM 25 AIO, I have the InTank 'Fuge Basket and the above ChetoMax light. But I've never done it, and I'm like 50/50 on whether or not it's worth it in these little AIO's. But it can be done if you want to try it.

Good luck!
 

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