Refugium lighting

[Zerc]

Trying to finish up my tank setup to start a cycle and I need some suggestions for lighting my refugium. I have approximately 2-3 inches of space between the top of my refugium and the lid on the box that it is in. I need a light in the correct spectrum range for my chaeto. 6700k yes? Given the small amount of enclosed space, I think I need LEDs I am having trouble finding something that will fit.

any suggestions?

 

[pandora32]

What are the measurments of your sump?

 

[Zerc]

It is a standard 55 gallon tank, but I only need to light about 2.5 feet of it. I have the skimmer and the return pump sections separated from the algae grow area.

 

[swifter]

I'm curious how this goes because I'm building my sump now too... its a 55 gallon and i'm sure I will be building a similar set up.

 

[Zerc]

I will take some pictures when I get home today. Right now I am browsing automotive LED running lights, they use 1w LEDs and seem to be pretty low profile.

 

[ReefGeeker]

You could just use a PC fixture they are low profile.

 

[Zerc]

How are they for heat? (I'm not worried about water temp, it will be at least 7 inches from the water, but it will be in an enclosed wooden box)

 

[SaltyDog2]

I have been lighting my refugium with a cheap, small 23 watt(equivalent to 100w), 1600 lumen, 6500K daylight compact fluorescent. There the curly cue ones, my first one only cost $1 at home depot. I've been running that type of light now for several years and my chaeto has to be 90% removed every two weeks. It's in a pendent thats on 24/7 and the chaeto just simply packs the 10 gallon fuge. I even use one over my 35 gallon fish only...looks great!

 

[sedrostyle]

A use the same setup. Just a metal fixture from lowes. And I actually have a led 6500k light bulb. Flood style.
I may get just your regular curly floresant light as salty said.

 

[Zerc]

Got some pics, you can see why I think I will need LED lighting, though I wish I could just use PC or CFL lights

 

[Zerc]

On the right side is my skimmer on an eggcrate stand, then I siliconed in three baffles to get rid of microbubbles. After that I have the refugium where I plan on building a "pod box" in the middle, then filling in with live rock and chaeto on top. The pod box will be a roughly 2 gallon topless box of eggcrate that I will fill with ceramic noodles. After that I have a small area I sectioned off with an eggcrate panel for my return pump which you can see is still not quite done being plumbed in. The main drain to the sump is by the skimmer, 1 1/4" pipe with a 1" bulkhead. The 2nd drain is slightly higher and will be strictly for backup if the first one fails. Finally, you can see a side shot of the top, not very much room for a light!

 

[sedrostyle]

So the collection cup is in the way also?
Does your tank sit On top of the sump?

 

[pandora32]

Looks like the box sits behind the tank, but its close enough to the bottom of the display, he doesnt want light showing through. I think.

 

[pandora32]

Look at this one. Its low cost, but its 3 1/4". Maybe itll work.

JBJ Nano-Glo 4-LED Refugium Light

 

[Zerc]

Yes, the collection cup will be above the lid to the sump, I am going to cut a hole and build another box to go on top of it. My plan was to have the sump it total darkness so that I could control the light cycle better. Unfortunately this is my first time building something like this and there are some things I forgot to calculate. Like how tall a normal light fixture is!

 

[Zerc]

That JBJ light is awesome, only .75" thick! I am going to get two! Do you think two will be enough?

 

[mfinn]

$130 for a refugium light is a bit excessive.
I'd keep looking.

 

[Zerc]

12 INCH 9 X 1 WATT 6700K LED PLANTED AQUARIUM LIGHT

that is the only other one I found that comes close, but I would still need two I think.

 

[mfinn]

If price isn't going to be a issue.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums...xtures-18w-cree-led-perfect-nano-cubes-66123/


At a lfs in your neighborhood.

 

[Zerc]

I think that one is actually too tall.