Fuge Lighting

[UWUALineman]

What are you running?
The chaeto I have in my fuge is either growing at the pace of a snail or not at all. My return feeds directly into my fuge so it has first crack at any excess nutrients that are being pulled from the tank. I was running a small flueroscent fixture with a reverse photo period from the DT. So tonight I went to Home Depot and picked up a 5500K 75W equivalent (19W) sprial flueroscent to see if this will change things. Opinions? Is this heading in the right direction or am I missing something.
My fuge lighting is from roughly 2130 to 0730.

 

[oldreefer76]

we use a 6500k 75 or 100 watt can't remember which cf bulb with 1 of those clip on work light reflectors, took the clip on feature off and have it hanging about 4" off the fuge area of our sump and run a similar lighting period and growth is awesome

 

[osu133lbs]

I use a daylight, not sure of the kelvin rating CF bulb 60w in a clip on work light as well on my refugium. My chaeto probably doubles about every month. Works for me!

 

[AL915]

I had the same issues and used the one that Melev recommends on his web site. Works great.

 

[UWUALineman]

I looked everywhere in te store but was unable to find a 5100K bulb Anyone grow with a plant light? I wasthinking I read somewhere that the blue bulbs/ spectrum, do little for the algae

 

[MarineFishGuy]

I have 2 of the 26w 6500K spiral compacts on mine in 12" work lights suspended from the ceiling. I tried some 5500K spiral compacts and was not getting very good growth.

I also feed my Ca Reactor effluent into the fuge so the CO2 can be used by the chaeto.

My cheato doubles about every two-three weeks.

 

[RokleM]

2x 2' T5 bulbs.

 

[UWUALineman]

Thanks fellas. I will give it a month or so and see if there is any growth.

 

[Reefdiver72]

I use t5 lighting but I have been playing with 200watt 6700k bulbs spiral type with heat lamp shields menards carries them in lancaster they have a very nice color and so far everything is growing good with them in the sumps I take care of.