Refugium lighting. Marineland led or Kessil H80/

[Eggpaul]

Hello, finishing my 150 gallon tank. I have the best equipment in this build so this might be a dumb question. for the refugium down below, should I just use my marinland led (2.7 watts) which great chaeto well in the back of my biocube 29? Or just I upgrade to the kessil H80?

 

[LPStandard]

Hello, finishing my 150 gallon tank. I have the best equipment in this build so this might be a dumb question. for the refugium down below, should I just use my marinland led (2.7 watts) which great chaeto well in the back of my biocube 29? Or just I upgrade to the kessil H80?

This is what I use. Cheap and grows like crazy!

https://www.amazon.com/Lights-Roleadro-Indoor-Spectrum-Hydroponics/dp/B00RWYCRB2

 

[Crabs McJones]

Hello, finishing my 150 gallon tank. I have the best equipment in this build so this might be a dumb question. for the refugium down below, should I just use my marinland led (2.7 watts) which great chaeto well in the back of my biocube 29? Or just I upgrade to the kessil H80?

On a 150, i'd take it a step further and get the Kessil H380. A little 15 watt H80 most likely going to be able to handle the load of 150 gallons. You'll need something with more punch. There is also a bunch of grow lights that can be found on amazon that are high powered for farily cheap.

 

[hart24601]

I voted for the Kessil, but I personally would prolly go with a cheaper stronger light off amazon. Lots of examples out there like the light already linked. They seem very nice for the money.

 

[madweazl]

What are the dimensions of the refugium? As long as you're less than about 13x13, the H80 will work but anything larger than that, you'll need a stronger light.

 

[JBKReef]

I agree with @crabs_mcjones if its in the budget go for the H380

 

[Eggpaul]

On a 150, i'd take it a step further and get the Kessil H380. A little 15 watt H80 most likely going to be able to handle the load of 150 gallons. You'll need something with more punch. There is also a bunch of grow lights that can be found on amazon that are high powered for farily cheap.

Why do you do this to me! haha. seems the area is around 13x13. see the middle of the sump? so the H380 would be better???? I have about 138 gallons of water total.

 

[Eggpaul]

What are the dimensions of the refugium? As long as you're less than about 13x13, the H80 will work but anything larger than that, you'll need a stronger light.

about 13x13 sounds right.

 

[Crabs McJones]

@madweazl what do you think? He's right on the boarder line of needing an H380. I'd say go big or go home, but what's your thought? I say H380

 

[Eggpaul]

@madweazl what do you think? He's right on the boarder line of needing an H380. I'd say go big or go home, but what's your thought? I say H380

the water in that middle section is only 9 inches deep. I always say "go big or go home", haha, but wouldn't the H380 be really over the top?

 

[Eggpaul]

@crabs_mcjones On the aquascape. You see the three live rocks on the left? Should I move a couple of those to the middle and make a small bridge? the structures look a little Even right now, and that way the left will get smaller. Or should I leave as is?

 

[JBKReef]

I was expecting to see a larger refugium area, I would agree with only 9 inches deep and the 13x13 the H380 might nuke everything or have to be on a shorter photo period which eliminates some of the PH swing benefits.

The H80 on full blast might be better (its whats on my 93 Gallon) but might not be as strong as a nutrient export method that other fuges might be of bigger size

 

[madweazl]

The H80 will work for that area however, I'm not sure that area will provide much for your system. I have a slightly larger refugium on a 75g and it has been perfect but I don't know how much more volume it would be adequate for. In your case, it's a refugium of about 5% total volume.

Edit: What are the dimensions of the skimmer chamber? It looks like it is larger so you could use that for your refugium (dump the socks) and move the skimmer to the middle chamber.

 

[Eggpaul]

The H80 will work for that area however, I'm not sure that area will provide much for your system. I have a slightly larger refugium on a 75g and it has been perfect but I don't know how much more volume it would be adequate for. In your case, it's a refugium of about 5% total volume.

Edit: What are the dimensions of the skimmer chamber? It looks like it is larger so you could use that for your refugium (dump the socks) and move the skimmer to the middle chamber.

skimmer chamber is similar depth, probably just a few inches longer.

 

[madweazl]

Even if it's only two inches longer, you're still gaining a gallon in regard to capacity, increasing refugium volume by about 1%.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Even if it's only two inches longer, you're still gaining a gallon in regard to capacity, increasing refugium volume by about 1%.

Agreed, with a fuge the bigger the better!

 

[JBKReef]

I would have to disagree, adding only 1 gallon or 1% to the fuge will not do as much nutrient export as a properly maintained sock. Giving up two socks for 1 extra gallon of refugium does not seem like an equal change for reduction of waste.

 

[mahindra.dev]

Agree with @crabs_mcjones @madweazl on going bigger and H380. Attleast you can control the intensity if its too much. But pushing H80 on full blast and then realizing H380 was a way to go, may not help. If you have the budget, got H380.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Agree with @crabs_mcjones @madweazl on going bigger and H380. Attleast you can control the intensity if its too much. But pushing H80 on full blast and then realizing H380 was a way to go, may not help. If you have the budget, got H380.

H380 is not dimmable

I would have to disagree, adding only 1 gallon or 1% to the fuge will not do as much nutrient export as a properly maintained sock. Giving up two socks for 1 extra gallon of refugium does not seem like an equal change for reduction of waste.

The only upside is that the fuge takes the nutrients out right away and takes it out of the water column, the sock has to be changed out and until it is, all the waste and food breaks down being released into the water column.

 

[mahindra.dev]

H380 is not dimmable


The only upside is that the fuge takes the nutrients out right away and takes it out of the water column, the sock has to be changed out and until it is, all the waste and food breaks down being released into the water column.

@crabs_mcjones - I didn’t know that. I apologize. I have a AIO with Chaetomax cos size space mounting issues etc or I would have opted for H80 and I’m a Kessil fan.

Either or I’m saying Go Big. Mount high and slowly increase the photo period.