Best Refugium Light

[Boss]

Hi Everyone,

After being in the hobby for 30 years, believe it or not this is my first post. I wanted to see whether you can help me figure out something I've been wondering about for a while.

What do folks believe is the best refugium light?

I have a 120g mature SPS tank (with 15 fish) and have been using from Home Depot cheap Phillips LED 5k Daylight floodlight bulbs for my Cheato in my refugium for about 7 years and I've always had issues with my nitrates (they often sit in the 20-40ppm range). So I want to get everyone's opinion on what is 1) the best light out there that isn't more than $300, and 2) what is the most economical light that will keep my nitrates down. Ny hope is that I don't have to pay 300$ for a good enough light.

I've watched some of the BRS videos, but didn't draw a definitive conclusion. I've also had trouble finding sites that calls this out.

Thoughts?

Thanks for the help,
Mark

 

[Desertoasis]

From what I've seen and heard an expensive light isn't really necessary. The home depot setup should work just fine. If you wanted to the Kessil or the AI are good options i've heard as well.

 

[Njdevils1220]

H380

H380

I have the H380 and love it. I run it for 16hrs a day and my chaeto grows incredibly fast and dense. Po4 stays in check as well

 

[nozleman]

BRS investigates!!! Watch this and you will know!!!!



https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vide...-best-refugium-light-and-what-is-coming-next/

 

[KevinSA]

I used the H380 and it was OK.

 

[slojim]

maybe think about getting an algal turf scrubber instead of growing algae in your refugium? I have never had great luck growing algae well enough in a refugium to make a real water quality difference in the long run. Im trying out an ATS on my new set-up, but I'm just now cycling my tank, so I can't tell you any personal experience. But if it works for you, then you can free up your refugium for any number of other uses.

 

[ROlympia]

I had the H380 and switched it out for a plastic work light and florescent bulb from Home Depot.

 

[mcgyvr]

There is likely nothing wrong with your light..
Its totally fine..
Spending money on something else is unlikely to be worth it..

Chaeto IMO is really not the best method to maintain low nutrient levels..
You need quite a large fuge and need to be exporting often for it to be effective on nitrate levels like you have..

I would suggest you try carbon dosing instead..
Simply adding some vinegar to the tank each day you can "supercharge" your bacterial population and have a much greater effect on nutrient reduction..
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index...ar-dosing-methodology-for-the-marine-aquarium

Do you have a skimmer too?

 

[Steveb]

I've been using this and love it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07312WKX2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1