Best Lamp for Macros?

[d2mini]

Need suggestions for the best lamp over a 24 x 24 x 22h refugium with a few mangroves and lots of macros. Looking for the best combination of value and performance. Not even sure if I should go mh, t5, led, etc. Currently have a home depot shop light with a 3600k cf bulb over my mangroves which has worked out fine but that's not going to cut it with all the macros.
Also looking for plug n play (new or used)... no DIY.

Thanks!

 

[xian]

It depends on what type of macros you are intending to grow. Are you looking to grow macros for nutrient export or display?

 

[d2mini]

Both.

You ever see Julian Sprung's refugium? That's basically what I'm after.

 

[Don Quixote]

Both.

You ever see Julian Sprung's refugium? That's basically what I'm after.

I would use 6500k T5 fixture hung 12" above the tank on a 14/10 hr Dawn/Dusk cycle. Feed well for faster growers. You can mix 14000k or 2000k with it for aesthetic purposes and better color coverage. Build My led.com has some stock fixtures that work well, since a custom spectrum is best. Advanced Aquarist has some excellent articles regarding optimum spectrum.

Regards,
The Don

 

[Subsea]

I would agree that T5 would give you more flexability. If it were a display tank, you should get T5.
For a refugium this 120W fixture is simple and powerful. The lamp is 6500 kelvin. Complete fixture is $44.
Patrick

http://www.hpsgrowlightstore.com/hp...ompact-fluorescent-system-with-dew-guard.html

 

[Green_fishy]

In my display tank (lots of mushrooms and few macroalgae) I have DIY LED Cree, white 8000 K, blue and royal blue. Corals and algae are growning very well.

 

[d2mini]

I would agree that T5 would give you more flexability. If it were a display tank, you should get T5.
For a refugium this 120W fixture is simple and powerful. The lamp is 6500 kelvin. Complete fixture is $44.
Patrick

http://www.hpsgrowlightstore.com/hp...ompact-fluorescent-system-with-dew-guard.html

I gotta admit, the price is great.
Would that single fixture be enough over a 24x24 cube?

 

[Subsea]

Enough is in the eyes of the beholder.
I assure you, this is a powerful fixture and it has much blue spectrum in its full spectrum package.
Patrick

 

[d2mini]

Enough is in the eyes of the beholder.
I assure you, this is a powerful fixture and it has much blue spectrum in its full spectrum package.
Patrick

Thanks, Patrick.
The bulb that I see spec'd is a "daylight" bulb rated at 6400k. This is enough blue? Or should I be looking for something closer to 10k? I don't care what it looks like. My main concern is max health/growth for a wide range of algae.

I also see that they have some 200w options.

 

[tektite]

6400K should be fine.

 

[Subsea]

full spectrum

full spectrum

Thanks, Patrick.
The bulb that I see spec'd is a "daylight" bulb rated at 6400k. This is enough blue? Or should I be looking for something closer to 10k? I don't care what it looks like. My main concern is max health/growth for a wide range of algae.

I also see that they have some 200w options.

With T5, MH and compact florescent, as the individual lamp kelvin rating goes up, the blue spectrum in the lamp is the same output, only the sectrum on the low side is eliminated. Less reds and yellow. When comparing PAR values for a 1000W MH, the PAR value was double with a 2700 kelvin lamp compared to a 6500 kelvin lamp.
This does not apply for LED. That is the reason that there is so much debate on which spectrum to include with individual diodes.

I have used both 120W and 200W lamps. In both cases, it fills half of a 55G tank. Both grow macro and coral.

Pareick

 

[d2mini]

ok, great. Thanks Patrick and Cat.
I'll go with the 200w since the lamp will be pretty high to clear my mangroves.