Refugium light options for under $100...

[Stickboy97]

So I've come to the conclusion my old (cheap ebay) fuge light is not working or strong enough for my new fuge. I recently bought some chaeto & it is slowly shrinking. So I'm on the hunt for a new light, want to stay below $100.

Here is where I'd like your thoughts / experience...
1) Mars 300 grow light - $70 on ebay
2) PAR38 refugium light bulb on BRS (with material to install) $60ish
3) 30w LED flood light (5500 - 6500K) - like the DIY King video uses
4) Kessil H80, a little over my budget but looks awesome
5) Common grow bulb from Home Depot (with material to install) $20ish
6) Common Daylight 5000k CFL

Which do you use or recommend?

I watched the BRS video and saw the difference he had with the PAR38 & a different Kessil,, which got me thinking.

thx

 

[mpderksen]

I used a regular grow bulb and a multi LED bulb with no success. I got the mars hydro and had a massive algae outbreak in the sump. Seeing the BRS video later, I saw they had a similar issue, and just needed to keep it clean until the macro took off. This is the number one reason I'm doing my fuge as a separate box in my new build.

 

[journeyman]

How big is your fuge? I use a $14 7w LED grow light from Amazon. It grows chaeto really well in my small fuge behind my aio.

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[Stickboy97]

its small, probably 10g out of my sump.

 

[journeyman]

its small, probably 10g out of my sump.

If it's small you can get 2 of the 7w LED lights from Amazon. Search for LED grow light on Amazon. Mine had a clamp and a goose neck design. It was only 13.99 each.

I would pay a link, but don't want to break any forum rules...

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[Heuristic]

I got the MEIZHI 24W LED Grow Light off Amazon and I can't really tell how well it's work. My Chaeto ball hasn't really gotten any bigger, but it's only been 10 day so I'm not entirely sure how much growth there should really even be anyways.


I found that 7w LED grow light that comes with the goose neck and clamp. I am wondering if I should just get that as well and just add it. Couldn't hurt to have both

 

[Reefer40b]

I have used 2 different lights for my Fuge I had a 5000K LED flood lamp($10 amazon) which I got decent growth from and then I switched it out for a Kessil Amazon sun 6700K I getting even more growth seems to be a lighter green to it also. I think as long as you supply a good amount of par and spread you will be golden, oh and of course your tank needs to have the nutrients for it to grow or it will just die off no matter what light you have.

 

[Heuristic]

That's kind of what I was thinking. I don't know if it's a light problem or there just isn't that much food for it. I had some algae in my DT, but the fox face and better control has all but eliminated it. I am thinking now that all of that is gone there will be more available for the chaeto

 

[Stickboy97]

Nutrients may also be an issue right now. I had a clownfish, leopard wrasse and a purple tang until 3 nights ago.... tang jumped (6+ year old fish)... I was quite upset!

I've been looking to add some anthias, pyramid butterflies, or something else, just haven't pulled the trigger. work has been crazy & this tank is in my office.

 

[SDboatguy]

Look at the Mars LED Bulbs $14 on amazon. Working a lot better than the 6500K LED bulb from Home Depot...for me at least

 

[ktownhero]

$15 LED "Plant Bulb" from Amazon and $10 clamp-on work light = better than everything except the big Kessil light.