refugium light question

[polarbear]

I think it’s time to replace my refugium light. I was wondering what type of light/bulb you guys use for light yours. I had got one off line that I read about in an article but I don’t think it worked to well. I was not getting good growth when I started using it and my micro ended up dying off. I heard low Kelvin bulbs work well but just wanted to ask. Thanks.

[Cammed_02]

I was just researching fuge lights.....tagging along to see what everyone uses or recommends.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

What are you trying to do with your refugium?

[rrasco]

So, I also have been doing lots of research on this. I can never get chaeto to grow, no matter who I get it from. I have been using a 5000K 13w CFL in a clamp on reflector.

While I was doing some research on algae turf scrubbers I found a lot of information on what type of lighting to use, very specific in fact. The experienced ATS community has achieved better results as a whole by using 2700K CFL bulbs. The wattage varies by scrubber size, but it is essentially 1w per square inch. The 2700K bulbs emit more green wavelengths which green macro typically utilizes, where the 5000K wavelengths are more red, which is more prone to growing red algaes.

If you want to use LEDs, due to the fact they are different types of lighting, you don't want a 2700K emitter, but a red 660nm. This is because of the nature of phosphorous light versus LEDs. The color of an LED is only perceived and not always indicative of the wavelengths emitted by the LED.

I built an ATS for my reef tank and used a 2700K 24w CFL. I also changed the bulb in my FOWLR fuge with chaeto to a 24w CFL. I can't say for certain yet, because I just changed them Saturday, but I think my chaeto is growing (where it never has grown at all before) and my ATS is already establishing as well. I think the temperature change and increase in wattage helped. I would like to give it more time before I call it though.

[ElChicano]

Makes sense. That explains the red algea growth in my sump. Time to change bulbs.

[Big_Pun]

wow very technical, I've used 50/50 cf bulbs, common screw in type cf bulbs in Home Depot clip in fixture. to LEDs now. all depends on size if you fuge and coverage needed

[350gt]

5k cfl worked wonders for me..

50/50 bulbs did not..

Now to a wave point led that works as good as the cfl...

[polarbear]

I'm just looking to grow macro. Just need a regular light. No led's. The light covers about a 1 1/2 foot by 1 foot space

[350gt]

Just go to homedepot and scoop up a 5K cfl flood lamp, with a cheap clamp on fixture, I believe they are $5 or so.......

It will work!

[rrasco]

Tony, do you have any red algae in your fuge? 5000k will work, 2700 is just supposed to be even better.

Make sure you get a bulb at least 24w, I don't think 9 or 13 cut it.

[350gt]

Nope never.....

the cfl was 16 watts I believe..

[ElChicano]

Was looking up more info on a bulb to get for my fuge area. Came across this write up by Marc (aka Melev) Levenson on his site.
http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html
This is the bulb
http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/Reflectors/1P381951
Im going to order one this week. Anybody want to order one let me know, we can split the shipping .

[polarbear]

That's the bulb that I have now. Rea that same article before I bought mine. Like I said it didn't help grow mine like his did. I'm trying a Home Depot one this time around.

[ElChicano]

In that case.. guess im going back to home depot. Lol

[350gt]

I have one if u want it.....It worked for me..

[jrnannery]

Recipe for success...go to Lowe's. I know they have these. Go to the light bulb aisle, and all the way down at the end they have incandescent plant grow lights. They are a regular screw-in bulb with a pale blue coating on them. I used them in my clamp on fixture and grew chaeto so fast!!

[350gt]

But don't the grow lights build heat and waste electricity?


The cfl only consumes 19watts.

[ElChicano]

But don't the grow lights build heat and waste electricity?


The cfl only consumes 19watts.

Tony you have the bulbs that I posted ?

[350gt]

Cfl and same temp..... Worked good for me but too big for under my stand..

[ElChicano]

My wife went to home depot and just picked me up a cfl 5k 23w. Will put it to the test when I get home from work. Will start with a fresh supply of macro algea and see what happens. Any body going to trim back let me know.

[Southern Flame]

so a reg 18in flourscent plant/aquarium light should be sufficent for my refugium? im running a 90 gal tank with a 30 gal sump with the sock filters and refugium in place of bio balls still in cycling phase but trying provide appropiate lighting for cheato dragons breath and some other macro?

[jrnannery]

It is no warmer than any other incandescent bulb, and uses a crap load less electricity than a Metal Halide. I guess if you are more interested in the process than the result, than those two points would be hyper-valid. It sounded to me like Polarbear was more interested in growing some greenage. Couple bucks for a grow light, couple bucks for a clip-on fixture. Done.