It really can be a pain in the butt to try and figure out what lights your refugium needs.
There are so many choices out there it’s challenging to narrow them down.
And even if you do find one that fits your needs, it may not fit well in your set-up.
I get why people have difficulty picking out their refugium lights with all of these different factors.
You can go with something cheap and straightforward or expensive and complicated.
I’m going to show you guys some of the best options available right now and give you an idea of what you should be looking for.
ACKE LED Grow Light
When it comes to fish tanks, we like them petite. I mean, those big-ass fish tanks are just plain annoying.
And we have the same attitude when it comes to growing lights; the smaller, the better.
So the first entry in this list would be one of the best LED grow lights for nano tanks.
The ACKE LED Grow Light is a tremendous little grow light ideal for nano refugium setups or another small aquarium.
It emits three different wavelengths that stimulate photosynthesis, helping your plants grow faster and more efficiently.
It is compact and can be placed almost anywhere, whether you have a tank sitting on a desk or in a corner at the office.
The ACKE LED Grow Light has gained popularity amongst users on many reefing forums because of its effectiveness and reasonable price tag.
Note: The ACKE LED Grow Light is one of those lights that might be challenging to find, but it’s a pretty good deal if you come across it.
GrowStar UFO 150W LED.
The Growstar UFO 150w LED light is a little powerhouse that impressed me.
I used this on my refugium and was amazed by the growth cycle it set off.
While it doesn’t have any timer or dimmer, it’s still an incredible value for the price.
This model is an excellent 26 watts of power, enough for a small refugium.
The output on it is decent for what it is: The spectrum matches my needs pretty well.
It has a timer and dimmer feature built into the controller, sweet.
I’ve set this up on a 2-hour photoperiod before my tank lights kick on, then 3 hours after they shut off.
It seems to be working well so far.
AI Prime Fuge
The AI Prime Fuge is an 18-watt LED light that comes with a power supply, hanging kit, and a little rubber mount for the power supply.
This light was designed to grow Chaeto and other macroalgae, which is how I would use it.
It is also one of the best refugium lights you can get.
The LEDs in this thing are top-notch, and if you’re willing to pay for it, I think it’s worth buying.
Kessil H80 Tuna Flora Refugium LED
Despite having a reputation for making some of the best reef lights, Kessil is a brand that doesn’t rest.
Their newest product is their Kessil H80 Tuna Flora Refugium LED Light.
While it may not be as flashy as their other products, it packs a powerful punch.
Designed for use with refugiums and sumps, this light was designed to be used in areas that do not require high-intensity lighting.
It features a 12W LED that produces 1650 lumens, enough to keep most plants and algae growing at optimal levels.
The light comes in three different colors: Aqua Blue, Deep Blue, and Actinic White.
Each one provides a slightly different color spectrum that is great for keeping your sump or refugium thriving.
CF Grow 200W
Don’t let the size of the fixture fool you; CF Grow 200 W light is perfect for large refugiums.
It can cover a massive area at least 12″ below the surface.
The spread is not as good as the NICREW Pro’s, but it’s enough to cover a massive refugium without any problems.
This light is also significantly cheaper than most of its competition so that you can buy multiple fixtures for less cash.
If you have a massive refugium, this is probably one of the best options for nano tanks and large refugiums on a budget.
Innovative Marine Refugium LED Light
It is easy to set up, only takes a few minutes, and has a significant effect.
Very bright light and almost no heat output. It works well with chaeto or macroalgae.
The Innovative Marine refugium LED light provides targeted lighting for your refugium and aquarium.
It has an integrated timer and control panel that allows you to set the time for the light to turn on and off.
It also provides a sunrise and sunset effect that mimics natural conditions.
It comes in two different sizes: 18 inches (18LED) and 24 inches (24LED).
The 24LED model comes with two strips instead of one strip like the 18LED model.
This allows you to customize your lighting more efficiently, giving you more control over how much light you want in each tank area without needing additional equipment like reflectors or diffusers.
Luxbird Waterproof Aquarium Refugium Light Bulb
The Luxbird is a small, compact aquarium light that you submerge in the water and place wherever you see fit.
A small light bulb will help your tank thrive by growing plants and creating an ideal environment for your aquatic animals.
This allows you to use the light as often as needed without worrying about your tank getting too hot or cold.
These levels are some of the primary causes of algae growth, so keeping them low can prevent algae blooms.
In short, Luxbird Waterproof Aquarium Refugium Light Bulb is great for beginners.
You won’t have a hard time putting this light in your tank, and it isn’t expensive.
If you are looking for a simple light bulb to help with your reef tank, this is the one you need.
Finnex FugeRay Refugium Light
One of the biggest pros of this Refugium Light is that it is easily adjustable.
You can point the light in any direction by using the gooseneck attachment, making it simple to find the right angle for your tank.
In addition, you can adjust the brightness level of this light, making it highly versatile.
It should be noted that this light is quite bright, so it is best suited for larger aquariums.
A 10-gallon fish tank would be sufficient if you want to try and grow plants under this light.
Overall, this is a high-quality Refugium Light that will last you long if you are careful.
It will emit some heat and needs to be placed high enough above your tank so that it does not overheat your water or ruin the plants inside.
Aqua Illumination – Hydra FiftyTwo HD Freshwater LED Light Fixture
The Aqua Illumination – Hydra FiftyTwo HD Freshwater LED Light Fixture is designed for freshwater aquariums, but it is powerful enough to be used in certain refugium tanks.
It has a small footprint and is just over 12 pounds. You can dim this light and control the color temperature, making it perfect for all types of plants and fish.
You cannot raise or lower this light; you must position it perfectly. Therefore, it is not as bright as some other options.
Kessil H80 Tuna Flora Refugium LED
The Kessil H80 Tuna Flora Refugium LED is a small, lightweight, easy-to-use light fixture.
It is compatible with the Kessil spectral controller, and you can use it with a wide range of refugium tanks.
The Kessil H80 comes with a mounting clip that makes it easy for you to mount the light fixture on the side of your tank or any other location you want to mount it.
The mounting clip also allows for easy adjustments because all you have to do is slide it, and you can adjust the direction of the light.
JBJ Nano Glo LED Refugium Light
The JBJ Nano Glo LED Refugium Light is a small but powerful light that can be used for refugium tanks.
The lights use 4 LEDs, which are bright enough to serve their purpose. You can choose from three different light colors to make sure your plants grow healthy.
The best thing about it is that it comes with suction cups to mount anywhere in your tank.
Also, the JBJ Nano Glo LED provides a “fallback” light when the leading display lights are turned off.
This keeps the PH levels of the aquarium water constant, which is ideal for smaller tanks or those with more delicate fish.
Kingbow Refugium LED Light
Both the grooves and the ridges on Kingbow Refugium LED Light’s surface help to protect it from scratches and damage.
The ridges are also used to remove heat from the bulb, which helps to protect it from overheating.
The manufacturer claims that this light will last for up to 50,000 hours.
At 3 hours a day, that would be over 45 years.
You will need a new bulb long before then because the technology will have moved forward and improved.
This bulb’s full-spectrum light is excellent for all plants in your refugium tank.
It will provide plenty of light for photosynthesis and help algae grow, ensuring nutritious food for fish and other marine life.
It might even help with calcification in coral tanks if you don’t use too much of it at once.
Aqua illumination Refugium LED Light.
This light by Aqua Illumination is perfect for aquariums.
It comes with a control panel to change your light setup, including the intensity and color.
In addition, the light can be controlled through an app on your smartphone or tablet. The app is free and easy to download.
The light is one of the most affordable options today, but it still has plenty of features.
For example, you can control your light’s color, intensity, and schedule.
This includes the ability to program to turn on and off at certain times without getting up and doing it manually.
The light comes with a fan that will help keep your aquarium cool.
It also has a touch screen to change the settings on it quickly.
The fan will help keep hot air away from the bulb to ensure that it does not overheat or burn out quickly.
Lominie Aquarium and Refugium Tank LED Light
If you’re looking for an easy way to add light to your aquarium or refugium, the Lominie Aquarium and Refugium Tank LED Light is good.
The brightness of the light can be adjusted to the intensity required for your aquarium plants.
The great thing about this LED light is that it comes with an adjustable gooseneck that can be used to position the light exactly where you need it.
This feature makes it easy to adjust the height of the light to suit your tank.
In addition, the gooseneck is exceptionally flexible and can easily be bent into any position you want.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, a list of the top refugium lights on the market.
No matter what type of budget you are working with, you should be able to find a quality piece of equipment on this list.
Don’t just waste your money on a cheap refugium light—spend a little extra and make sure you get something that is going to work for your tank.
If you want to save some cash, wait for some festive discounts to arrive.
Once there’s any discount, we’ll inform you through this post.
So, stay tuned with us.