A great refugium lightbulb, IMHO!

[melev]

While shipping is an annoying extra cost, the results pay for themselves. Have no fear, I get it. I hate paying extra for stuff. I have people approach me repeatedly saying how they used whatever bulb for a while, and finally tried this one out and can't believe the growth they got.

So use the bulb you like, and hopefully you'll be happy with the results. If you are not, try this one out. Even with shipping, you are paying under $20 for the bulb, and in this hobby that is still saving money.

 

[ghever]

I have an extra one of these bulbs if anyone is interested... I will not need it in my new sump set up as I am going BB.... so if anyone wants the bulb, PM me... especially if you are in so cal and can save on shipping.

G

 

[20 20]

I've been trying to figure out how many amps "melev's light" draws, but can't find that info anywhere. I've got an Aquacontroller JR with a DC8 and a DC4, and I need to be careful how much amps I try and pull through each one of them, so I'm 'planning ahead', or at least trying to. Does anyone know how many amps I should plan on being drawn by this light?

 

[ghever]

23w/110 = about .2 amps

 

[20 20]

Thanks, I just found the formula myself. Looks like I'm 'OK' with my electrical plan!

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Guys today I bought a Flood lamp energy saver exactly like the one Melev suggested. Mine is 20 watts (100watts output) but it is 4100K and not 5100K..

Do you think it is good for the refugium or not?

 

[usafa93]

It will be kind of yellow, but that may not be of huge concern to you if you're not looking at your refugium.

As far as growing macro algae, 4100k will do just fine. Careful though - if you have high phospates in your water (i.e. you use straight tap water for top-offs), 4100k can be extremely effective for growing micro algae.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Yes the 4100K is a bit yellow but it doesn't matter, the most important thing is that it is good for the algae.

I use RO water for top off and the algae I have are:

Chaeto and Caulerpa, do you think this light is good for them ?

 

[melev]

It'll work. I grew some under 2700K, but had better growth rates with 5100K. At 6500K, it didn't grow as well. 5100K is the best one imho.

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

Thanks Melev. Like I said I have Chaeto and some different caulerpa in the refugium. I need to know how should I light the fuge ?

Right now I am lightning 20 Hours ON and 4 Hours at night OFF.

What do you think ?

 

[ChemE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7476865#post7476865 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
...However, if you are part of a club, you might do a group order and get a case or two, spreading out shipping to $1 - $2 per person instead, and keep extras on hand.

CIMA just did a group buy on these and there was plenty of interest. We ordered 21 bulbs and shipping worked out to be $0.38/bulb. A group buy through your local club is definitely the way to go.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7956496#post7956496 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CoMMaNdeR
Thanks Melev. Like I said I have Chaeto and some different caulerpa in the refugium. I need to know how should I light the fuge ?

Right now I am lightning 20 Hours ON and 4 Hours at night OFF.

What do you think ?

I run my refugium lighting 24 hours a day. This prevents caulerpa from going sexual in the system.

 

[latazyo]

for a fuge with only chaeto, is the lighting period still 24/7?

 

[melev]

Cheatomorpha is fine with less lighting, but mine grows perfectly well under 24/7 lighting. What always amazes me is when I pull out the stuff at the bottom of the refugium that would be in total shade and it is just as green and vivid as the stuff at the top.

 

[greg10]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7476671#post7476671 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hobster
Doesn't any store carry these anymore? It was a good deal when Home Depot or Lowes had them, but $9.50 to ship, I might just go back to a regular CF bulb and ballast set up.

I had the same problem, so I ordered 4 initially. The shipping is steep, but you'll spend that much driving around looking for them.

 

[gpodio]

I get the same Melev, I'm using the light in this thread plus a 6700 55W 24/7. The cheato on the surface is kind of pale looking while the lower layers are nice and green. I'm also using the fuge to propagate mushrooms and pink zenia, neither seem to mind the lighting type nor the 24/7 period... I thought it would be a problem to propagate these in the fuge with this lighting but it has proved to work just as well. It's time to change the bulbs however, it's been about a year now since going 24/7.

 

[usafa93]

When you switch those bulbs out, are you planning on using them around the house?

Although they may not be the ideal color for your aquarium purposes, I'll bet they still have years of life left in them that may serve general-purpose lighting needs well, and efficeintly.

 

[GROSSR]

I was in HD tonight and saw some 5000k bulbs. Is this ok, I know we are looking for 5100k?

rich

 

[lalc]

Your looking for around 6,500K but I would go ahead use it until you find one better--you really are close enough.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7968185#post7968185 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GROSSR
I was in HD tonight and saw some 5000k bulbs. Is this ok, I know we are looking for 5100k?

rich

Not to sounds like a broken record, but I recommend 5100K, not 6500K. If you found a 5000K at Home Depot, post a picture, the SKU, and your location because typically we have a hard time finding 5100K bulbs locally. On my webpage about this thread, I have a couple of links to an e-tailer that does carry what we need, but shipping adds to the cost.

However, to be honest, getting a bulb that is good for 6 to 12 months (depending how long you use it) for under $20 (shipped) in this hobby is typically considered a bargain.