Fuge MH Lighting

[dougisom@hotmail.com]

I just added a new fuge to my bigger system. The only spare lighting I had was a 250 MH ballast and fixture. I initially used a 6500 bulb. This seems to be working fine. However, I just remembered I have a 10K bulb sitting around somewhere.

Which bulb will produce the fastest growth rate for basic Caluerpa. Also, any limitations on the hours per day the lighting runs. I obviously don't want to create a water temp problem, but i do want to maximize growth.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[New_Noob]

the 6500K will do it best, better then the 10K, try and run a reverse photo peiroid, have your fuge lights on at night, while the main tank lights are off, and have the fuge light off during the day while the main tank lights are on, this will keep your PH more stable, but you have Caulerpa, and Caulerpa has a higher change of going sexual when there is a night time, with 24/7 it wont. but they you run the risk of overheating during the day.

 

[dougisom@hotmail.com]

Thanks for the insight on the MH. I forgot about the whole sexual thing. I might have to get something that produces less heat or get another fan or something. 24/7 my temp climbs over 82 real quick.

thanks,
Doug

 

[dougisom@hotmail.com]

One more question on the sexual issue. On my coral grow-out/breeding system. 55g, 30g, I have a 10 gallon fuge. I currently have 5 mangrove plants along with Caluerpa and some other macro. It is my understanding that Mangroves don't like lighting that is too intense. I currently have a pc twin tube 10k/Actinic, 45 w (i think) over the the fuge. I am running it about 12 hours. If I ran it 24/7 to avoid the sexual issue, would my mangroves be ok?

thanks

 

[New_Noob]

i have a mangrove in my maint tank, under 2 250W MH's and it grows alot better then the one outside, in a pot with miracle grow! you just have to make sure it dosent get to hot, they will witer away.

mine didnt do to good under 24/7 light when i had cualerpa, but now i only hae 1 because i was hacing trouble with magnesium, so i only have one now, the rest are all on my FW tanks, i ordered mine off ebay, 12 for $12