Yet another refugium light question

BR260354 · Oct 14, 2023

I’m about to setup an external refugium - getting a LifeReefugium 20 x 14 x 19. My DT is running a XR15 at around 55% intensity. Trying to decide on the refugium light. At first I was considering the AI Blade Refugium, but the spectrum seems more for coral. Then I thought about AI Blade Freshwater. But at 20w, if I do the 12”, that won’t compete with my display. So, AI Prime Fug {at 46w), Kessil H160 (at 40w), or do I drop the $$$$ for the Kessil A360x (at 90w). I’m thinking the AI Fug or the H160 might do the trick with the DT at 55%, but would rather not buy “short”.

True, I could do CF, Lominie, or a host of others off of Amazon, but wasn’t sure on the PUR ratings compared to AI and Kessil. I know this subject is discussed often. I’ve been researching quite a bit for the past week.

TIA!

slythy · Oct 14, 2023

I run a kessil h160 with a shade. And there are lots of cheap grow lights on amazon that i think would work great as well.

There is absolutely no reason to spend crazy money of a fuge light.

mfinn · Oct 15, 2023

There are so many options for lighting a refugium.
From the fairly cheap to pretty expensive.
When I started my first refugium I saw on Melvesreef.com ( the early years) he did a comparison of a couple different lights and the best that worked on his experiment was a cheapo bulb from the box store I think it was just a cfl bulb, but it had a color temp of 51k.
Combined with a cheap clamp-on fixture the total cost back then was about $12. Now the same would be maybe $20.
For some reason I went to a AI Prime Refugium fixture a few years ago on one tank and a Reef Breeders refugium light on another.
To tell you the truth I see absolutely no difference in macro growth.
Not sure what the life span is on these lights, but when they are dead I will be going back to the cheaper option.

exnisstech · Oct 15, 2023

I just use cheap clamp on lights with grow light bulbs ($20 each total) over 3 refugiums and chaeto grows great. I do have 2 additional led grow lights ($10 each) on the sides of my larger refugium so it's lit from 3 sides and I don't have to roll the chaeto often.
My sumps are in stands and 1 in the basement so aesthetics are a non issue but saving $$ is as long as I can get good growth.