Refugium light
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69590
Printed Date: July 08 2026 at 11:41pm
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Topic: Refugium light
Posted By: reefnfeef
Subject: Refugium light
Date Posted: February 10 2014 at 11:04pm
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Wondering what refugium lights you guys use? I would prefer LED over CFL. ------------- aaaaaaaaaaaaaannd.... I'm broke |
Replies:
Posted By: love2skiutah
Date Posted: February 10 2014 at 11:14pm
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I use 2 of these LEDs from Home Depot. I would probably be fine with 1, but it was such a big refugium, I wanted to make sure I covered the entire space. EcoSmart PAR38 900 lumens
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Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: February 11 2014 at 5:02am
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Two three Watt neutral white LEDs, powered by a 9 volt adapter from the phone charger junk bin and a constant current driver I built. The LEDs have 60 degree optics. Total cost about $5.00. I tried the clip-on lights shown in love2skiutah's photo, but I'm too clumbsy and keep knocking them into the sump. Fat |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 11 2014 at 8:50am
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Aloha, If you are not so handy making your own LED lights as Kevin/Fatman, the twist CF/PC bulbs are still the best option, IMO. There are two factors against using manufactured LED bulbs: 1 - The bulb still needs a $5-$10 socket to screw into(discard the reflector) 2 - To get sufficient light output the right LED bulb will cost $30 or more The PC(power compact) twist bulb in a round reflector, like Aaron/love2skiutah shows us above, is still a better value because of lower initial cost($5 ea. in a 2-pack). Currently, when looking at light output per dollar spent and the fact that an LED bulb still needs a socket to screw into(but no reflector), the PC(power compact) twist bulbs are about as cost effective over the course of 3-4 years. Important Tips: 1. Choose the "Daylight" rather than the "Warm White" color rendition. This "daylight" spectrum is better for growing algae. (The absolute best spectrum is a pinkish/purple light but that is another topic and small lights like that are typically not available.) 2. Buy the light bulb in as high a wattage as possible for your situation. 100-150 W equivalent if possible because Macroalgae in a Refugium does best in very bright light. 3. Zip Tie your clip on light fixture to the plumbing above or to a screw in the stand as I try to show in the old rough sketch below. If the clip is in the way, remove it and Zip Tie straight to the power cord (the light is very lightweight so this is okay from an electricians point of view) or use multiple Zip Ties to hang the socket/reflector. 4. Place the light as close to the algae as possible, but not so low that water will touch it when the return pump is off and water is at it's highest level. Some will try to argue the pointm but PC(power compact) twist bulbs are actually about as cost effective over the course of 3-4 years. When twist PC bulbs became available about 8 years ago, we found they were so effective that everybody and their dog was using them over their Refugiums. LED's are still too expensive compared to their value as a Refugium light. I believe this will change within a few years. I said it 5 years ago and still believe that one day we will be using LED's for everything. Aloha, Mark  Two images below   ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Posted By: love2skiutah
Date Posted: February 11 2014 at 8:57am
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The bulb on the left is zip tied with 2 ties into the top of my stand. I'm going to do the same thing to the one on the right. I tend to knock things around as well. I don't offset my refugium lights like some people, they are on 24/7. The bulb on the right, I paid $38 for and it's been on 24/7 for 4 years (from my 120). The one on the left was $54 and is new. I was surprised at how much the bulbs were. |
Posted By: Fatman
Date Posted: February 11 2014 at 9:00am
| Mark, not to hijack the thread but what are the Kelvin ratings of the bulbs you are suggesting? Would be nice to have those as I change things around. |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 11 2014 at 11:29am
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I see your question as very pertinent to this discussion. I would say they are best labeled as 5000-6000 Kelvin, but.... Macroalgae absorbs a different combination of wavelengths than coral. Similar in some ways but different. If they were not so hot, MH lights labeled as 10,000 - 12,000 Kelvin would be ideal for Refugiums. These 5-6000K twist PC's give a bluer light than MH labeled with twice the K value. This is why we cannot use "Degrees Kelvin" by itself as an accurate way to judge the usefulness of lights for our aquariums. Aloha, Mark ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
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