Are my refugium ideas going to lead to a disaster? Will it induce pain and misery in my tanks inhabitents?

travelerjp98

Active Member
So after 3 years of running my 180 gal FOWLR I'm finally looking into setting up a refuge.
Here's my sump from the front (sorry it's so messy under the tank)

Here are the measurments of the left "box"

I'm stuck between 2 lighting options for my sump:
either the JBJ nano-glo LED lights, which are $64, or the
JBJ macro-glo hang-on lights, which are $43 for 15 watts or $53 for 25 watts, $15 for a replacement bulb
Anybody have experience with any of these lights?
I'm leaning towards the LED lights because the bulbs don't have to be replaced, but they can only be used with chaeto algae
The hang-on lights would be pretty good, too, but I don't want to replace the bulbs.
The LEDs attach to the pane with magnets.
Here is what the LED lights attached to the back pane of my left sump would look like:
this view is from the back of the tank

another view, looking at it with a birds' eye view

The magnet-attached led would be shining on the chaeto algae and LR
The live rock would stretch all 12", from side to side, with the chaeto between the LR and LED
On the other hand, I could do this with the hang-on light:

I don't know if I explained everything enough, am I on the verge to a disaster or is it going to be successful?
If I decide to go with the hang-on light, what macro should I use?
Just please tell me ANYTHING you have to say about it and kind of guide me through it if you would like!
Thank you so much!
 
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