Red/Blue LED Vs White CFL Fuge light

Silvergryphon · 02/11/2014, 10:32 PM

I'm torn between two ways to go for my refugium lighting. A lot of people say the 2700 or 5500 white CFLs for fuge lighting works great. I'm not seeing a lot about the red and blue LED lights from places like Reef Breeders and how well they work for chaeto growth.

Does anyone use the red and blue LEDs? How well do they do for your macro growth compared to the white CFLs? My ultimate goal is to not have to replace a bulb every 6 months which is why I was looking into the LEDs, but if growth isn't comparable to the CFLs I might go with those.

Give me your pros and cons for both if you have them!

Silvergryphon · 02/12/2014, 09:01 AM

Reason I ask is originally I was looking at getting Reef Breeder's Fuge light, then came across a very similar set up on Ebay for less.

reefmutt · 02/12/2014, 11:47 AM

the way i look at it is that you can't burn or stress cheato (i don't think) with too much light and the more you give it the better it grows..
i also think that leds have more par/punch than cfls so if you can do the leds, go for it..
my personal opinion..

acanlover · 02/12/2014, 11:17 PM

I have used 2 cfl's on my fuge forever. Never had an issue.

Silvergryphon · 02/13/2014, 05:43 AM

I know the CFLs will work, but I'm trying to find out how the LEDs ccompare.

jedimasterben · 02/13/2014, 08:17 AM

There is no comparison. The LEDs will outgrow the CFLs by orders of magnitude in my experience. Give it as much light as you can, provided that you're also giving it a lot of flow and that it is sort of tumbling, or it will burn on the top. I averaged 300 PAR in the middle of my massive macro ball in my fuge, which was around 25 gallons in volume.

02/11/2014, 10:32 PM	#1
Silvergryphon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 540	Red/Blue LED Vs White CFL Fuge light I'm torn between two ways to go for my refugium lighting. A lot of people say the 2700 or 5500 white CFLs for fuge lighting works great. I'm not seeing a lot about the red and blue LED lights from places like Reef Breeders and how well they work for chaeto growth. Does anyone use the red and blue LEDs? How well do they do for your macro growth compared to the white CFLs? My ultimate goal is to not have to replace a bulb every 6 months which is why I was looking into the LEDs, but if growth isn't comparable to the CFLs I might go with those. Give me your pros and cons for both if you have them!

02/12/2014, 11:47 AM	#3
reefmutt Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mtl. Canada Posts: 7,824	the way i look at it is that you can't burn or stress cheato (i don't think) with too much light and the more you give it the better it grows.. i also think that leds have more par/punch than cfls so if you can do the leds, go for it.. my personal opinion.. __________________ Matt. Current Tank Info: 53x32.5x26 190g dt 60g of sumps 3 tank-100 gal frag system 6xAI prime 8xt5. 4x maxspect gyre. Skimz Dual internal sicce pump skimmer Deltec PF601s ca rx+Kalk stirrer

02/12/2014, 09:01 AM	#2
Silvergryphon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 540	Reason I ask is originally I was looking at getting Reef Breeder's Fuge light, then came across a very similar set up on Ebay for less.

02/12/2014, 11:17 PM	#4
acanlover Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 66	I have used 2 cfl's on my fuge forever. Never had an issue.

02/13/2014, 05:43 AM	#5
Silvergryphon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 540	I know the CFLs will work, but I'm trying to find out how the LEDs ccompare.

02/13/2014, 08:17 AM	#6
jedimasterben LED world domination! Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Okeechobee, FL Posts: 1,030	There is no comparison. The LEDs will outgrow the CFLs by orders of magnitude in my experience. Give it as much light as you can, provided that you're also giving it a lot of flow and that it is sort of tumbling, or it will burn on the top. I averaged 300 PAR in the middle of my massive macro ball in my fuge, which was around 25 gallons in volume.