Will a ai blade Refugium work for coral?

jeep and goose

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So my tank came with this ai blade light, I currently have it running max blue and white and as much violet as I can and a little red to balance. I’m wondering if this is enough for a 20 gal tall mixed reef with mostly softy and Lps and maybe Monti cap, I have a Viparspectra 165 watt also idk how I should set it up though and I’d have to buy a new glass lid for the tank, which I would rather not do cause the tank already has a lid
 
I have a viparspectra 165 over a 20g IM fusion and its great for a cheap full spectrum light. I may upgrade it with a 3d printed diffuser/shade eventually.
The refugium has colors and par to maximize algae growth so i would use the viparspectra over the blade.
 
Do you have any recs to mount it above the tank?
 
Mine came with a wire hanging kit and its in a closet so I just hung it from the rod. I used to make my own mounting rods from conduit or copper to hang lights from. Might be able to find a universal mount that might work too.
Hid the wire with a wiremold strip
20260314_140704.jpg
20260319_184405.jpg
 
The refugium version is dominated by red. Not a great light for a reef tank
 
Mine came with a wire hanging kit and its in a closet so I just hung it from the rod. I used to make my own mounting rods from conduit or copper to hang lights from. Might be able to find a universal mount that might work too.
Hid the wire with a wiremold strip
20260314_140704.jpg
20260319_184405.jpg
Your reef tank is beautiful!
You shouldn't be scared to come out of the closet! 😆😜
 
I swapped for the Viparspectra it looks nice and brighter
 
Although my cats are a major issue cause it’s like 16” above my tank
 
Your reef tank is beautiful!
You shouldn't be scared to come out of the closet! 😆😜
I keep the closet door closed most of the time. I have 2 young children that like to feed the fish and drop stuff in there when im away at work so its the safest place for it. Hence the child lock on the cabinet and closet door frame lol.
 
So my tank came with this ai blade light, I currently have it running max blue and white and as much violet as I can and a little red to balance. I’m wondering if this is enough for a 20 gal tall mixed reef with mostly softy and Lps and maybe Monti cap, I have a Viparspectra 165 watt also idk how I should set it up though and I’d have to buy a new glass lid for the tank, which I would rather not do cause the tank already has a lid
Too much 660nm red can bleach corals.
Ai doesn't list the nm of the red LEDs though.
Spectrum is shifted to the left of 660 though.

At one point it was suggested to not have more than 30% of the par in the red band.
If I remember correctly.

Red is fine for photosynthesis.
Problem seems to be that red does not promote " sunscreen " molecules in corals ur any other shunting mechanisms.
Roughly speaking .
Key Details Regarding Red Light and Coral Health:
Reduced Survival: Studies indicate that high-intensity red light (e.g.
) negatively affects the health and survival of certain coral species, such as Stylophora pistillata.
Symbiont Damage: Red light is less effective for photosynthesis compared to blue light, and excessive amounts can trigger the expulsion of zooxanthellae (symbiotic algae), leading to white, bleached, or stressed, colored corals.

Photoinhibition: Excessive light, including specific wavelengths, causes the photosynthetic apparatus of the algae to get "stuck open," resulting in damage and subsequent bleaching.

Aquarium Stress: In reef tanks, too much red light is recognized as a factor that can cause stress and bleaching.
PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov)
 
Mine came with a wire hanging kit and its in a closet so I just hung it from the rod. I used to make my own mounting rods from conduit or copper to hang lights from. Might be able to find a universal mount that might work too.
Hid the wire with a wiremold strip
20260314_140704.jpg
20260319_184405.jpg
i really like how this is in the closet lol, if my wife had it her way, my tank would be in a closet
 

WHAT PART OF LIVING WITH A REEF TOOK YOU BY SURPRISE?

  • How much space the supplies and equipment take up

    Votes: 10 43.5%
  • Salt creep, spills, and cleanup outside the tank

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  • Planning trips or finding someone to care for the reef

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    Votes: 2 8.7%
  • Making decisions when there’s no clear right answer

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  • How much the reef affects everyday household life

    Votes: 6 26.1%
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    Votes: 1 4.3%
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