cheato question

[supertech99]

Hey all,
I went to Lowes yesterday to get some sanding supplies for my stand to get it ready for paint and I picked up a small clamp light with a 65w floodlight grow bulb. They also had a larger clamp light good to 150w and a 120w bulb for it. I wasn't sure if that was overkill that would add to heating the water in my sump so I went with the smaller one. I am going to rely on my cheato very heavily for nutrient export. I have heard on WWM that these "grow bulbs" often work better than expensive "aquarium lights". Do any of you guys have any experence with these lights or growing cheato? Do you think?

 

[fallinapart]

Yes, they work excellent, that is what I use and my cheato grows like mad, I throw away some several times a year, and give away some also. That was a good choice, and when you get setup and need some cheato let me know.

Norman

 

[supertech99]

Thanks I will. So do you think more is better in this case? 120w or 65w?

 

[fallinapart]

I'm not sure if more light would cause more growth or not, but I use a 65w grow bulb in my sump and the stuff grows really fast, so I don't think the extra wattage which would equal more heat and more electricity would be worth the expense

Norman

 

[supertech99]

Thanks for the advise. Do you let your cheato roll around on a bare bottom or sandy bottom? I was thinking of going bare because I don't have the room in my diy w/d filter/fuge for 4-6 inches of sand. Do pods like the cheato, because my green clown goby sure LOVES PODS!

 

[NeveSSL]

I use one of the floodlights and clamps. Then you don't have to use the reflector.

I need to change mine, though, as my chaeto isn't growing very well and I'm pretty sure the bulb is why.

But anyway, you can find more info here in this article.

Brandon

 

[gsusfreak]

pods definitely like chaeto....gives them a place to breed without fish trying to eat them

 

[supertech99]

Thanks for the link brandon, ill have to check out HD and checkout their selection of bulbs.