Which refugium light would you get my my sump?

[fishmonkey]

I have a 36x14x14 sump and wanted to know which of these 2 refugiums from Amazon would be best.

I like the ufo groestar but I’m not sure if it would be too powerful for my refugium and don’t think it’s waterproof.

 

[blaxsun]

UFO. Where's the refugium going?

 

[fishmonkey]

UFO. Where's the refugium going?

In the middle section of the sump fully dedicated to refugium. I assume that’s the best place right?

 

[blaxsun]

In the middle section of the sump fully dedicated to refugium. I assume that’s the best place right?

Probably.

 

[Erin1971Texas]

If you're just looking to grow algae, I'd go with a cheap clamp light... Yes it will eventually rust and need to be replaced but at $10 or less that's not really an issue.

 

[fishmonkey]

If you're just looking to grow algae, I'd go with a cheap clamp light... Yes it will eventually rust and need to be replaced but at $10 or less that's not really an issue.

Does this grow chaeto better or is it just cheaper?

 

[Erin1971Texas]

Does this grow chaeto better or is it just cheaper?

A regular daylight bulb will grow algae just fine. I don't know if it's better or worse than a "fuge light" but I use these and my algae grows like crazy

 

[sfmacguy]

Does this grow chaeto better or is it just cheaper?

both.

The best cheato grower outside of a reactor has been the kessil h80 for me. remember to have enough flow that the cheato tumbles.

 

[Lavey29]

I tried a cheap light with no success. The Neptune gro is perfect for your size. You can position the light so no spill over and nuisance algae and it grows chaeto like crazy.

 

[Sean Clark]

Light is only one piece of the algae growth puzzle. NO3, PO4, Iron, and Manganese are just as important.

 

[tiomm]

I used to have a 50w refugium light over my 30" sump. But the algae just died. So I switched to a 6w fresh water plant light just for fun. And it grew the algae to the point where I had to cut back lighting hours substantially - otherwise my nutrients bottomed out. Point is, don't go overboard. Most cheap and easy lights will be enough. The real dialing in will be the amounts of your daily feedings and lighting hours.

 

[fishmonkey]

I used to have a 50w refugium light over my 30" sump. But the algae just died. So I switched to a 6w fresh water plant light just for fun. And it grew the algae to the point where I had to cut back lighting hours substantially - otherwise my nutrients bottomed out. Point is, don't go overboard. Most cheap and easy lights will be enough. The real dialing in will be the amounts of your daily feedings and lighting hours.

Yea I might be leaning towards the ACKE now. The groestar looks awesome but I think it 150w will burn the chaeto or cause a huge amount of light spill

 

[Lavey29]

Light is only one piece of the algae growth puzzle. NO3, PO4, Iron, and Manganese are just as important.

I really like dosing small amounts of chaeto grow. It makes the chaeto pearl like crazy over night.

 

[fishmonkey]

I really like dosing small amounts of chaeto grow. It makes the chaeto pearl like crazy over night.

Yes I plan of doing this as well

 

[Lavey29]

Yes I plan of doing this as well

The only thing chaeto grow lacks is iodine. So if you dose it for trace elements and your chaeto growth be aware that you need to side dose iodine too.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Red light on amazon works well as does the IM chaeto grow light.

 

[fishmonkey]

Red light on amazon works well as does the IM chaeto grow light.

The ACKE?

 

[Lavey29]

Red light on amazon works well as does the IM chaeto grow light.

I tried the IM first and had no success with it.

 

[rhostam]

This is what I use. I have two, but removed one because two was overfill/

Tunze Refugium Light

I grow fern, grape, and one other type of caulerpa that the tangs love.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I tried the IM first and had no success with it.

Worked super well for me