Looking at using cheap ebay LEd growth lamps for refugium. opinions welcome.

Daniel@R2R · Mar 3, 2013

Hey guys, I'm setting up 2 refugiums, and I was going to just buy a CFL bulb and be done with it, but then I looked into growth lamps and found these on ebay:

E27 Red Blue 80 LEDs 3 8W Hydroponic Plant Grow Growth Light Bulb 220V New | eBay

Would these work? I'm planning to grow chaeto and caulerpa. I'm thinking that as prices go, these would pay for themselves over time and might actually give me better growth. My other option was just a regular 6500k CFL (which I didn't get great results from on my previous setup).

GratefulReef · Mar 3, 2013

If you go to buildmyled you could get a 12 inch fixture for like 120$ obviously that led is much cheaper but you can customize your own lighting and get better quality leds.

Daniel@R2R · Mar 3, 2013

Understood, but would the results be that much better? My fuge is hidden below my stand, so it won't be a display.

GratefulReef · Mar 3, 2013

Im not a lighting expert by any means, but I would think the results would be day and night. That fixture you posted most likely has very low quality LEDs and only 2 colors. With the suggestion I posted you can get a better spectrum, with lenses and you could put frags in there to grow out a little before going into the DT.

ReefLEDLights · Mar 3, 2013

Cheap Chinese Fixtures are what you get.

Please search their reliability.

Like skimmers and pumps many have tried the cheap route only to spend more in the long run replacing cheap equipment.

Lots of specific options out there

A bit of research out there as well but you my want to use a lot less red for the Marine Environment...

The Red may work well in Boulder Colorado growing "Tomatos" in ones basement for medicinal purposes. But this spectrum is not good for frags and not optimal for marine algae.

I have had great results growing Marine Algae with a 1:1 ratio of Cree XT-E Cool White and Royal Blue.

Bill

Daniel@R2R · Mar 4, 2013

ReefLEDLights said:
Cheap Chinese Fixtures are what you get.

Please search their reliability.

Like skimmers and pumps many have tried the cheap route only to spend more in the long run replacing cheap equipment.

Lots of specific options out there

A bit of research out there as well but you my want to use a lot less red for the Marine Environment...

The Red may work well in Boulder Colorado growing "Tomatos" in ones basement for medicinal purposes. But this spectrum is not good for frags and not optimal for marine algae.

I have had great results growing Marine Algae with a 1:1 ratio of Cree XT-E Cool White and Royal Blue.

Bill

Thanks, Bill. I did some more research after my last post on here, and I'm seeing exactly what you're talking about...it looks like red is actually better for flowering...which I won't need for macro...and blue is better for growth. Most folks are using either blue or cool white or a combination. I'm thinking of possibly trying cool white (6500k?) on one fuge and blue on the other. What do you think?

fragmatic · Mar 4, 2013

I run full spectrum cork screwy bulbs over my under tank refugium and grow algae just fine. IMO you should spend the $$ on something more fun for your system.

CoralFragZ · Mar 4, 2013

I won a 24" reef bright and it lights up a huge section in my fuge. Also think if residual value that you might pay a few bucks but subtract why you could get for it and that is your net cost. That is how I talked my self into 2 mp60 and 2 mp40s. Also I wouldn't use that much red even over a fuge. Look for 65K if your growing macro algae.