Lighting advice

[ReefWidowed]

So, thanks to all of you generous folks, I have a ton of happy macro in my fuge. Originally I had been using the light that came with my Oceanic Cube...I think it's just a generic AGA , doesn't even tell you what the color temp is, I'm guessing fairly low, as it is mostly supporting hair algae.

My question is, does AGA make a replacement lamp that would be suitable? or is there a decent alternative. I keep it on 24hrs, so I'm looking for an idea that runs cooler, so that I don't have heat issues (like how hot it would be it I burned down the house)

I haven't had much luck using the clip lamps from Home Depot with a grow lamp in them either.

grrr....



What a down payment on a house we could have had if it wasn't for this hobby

THANKS
Jennifer

 

[mattyice]

hmmm i would say the easiest thing to do is to get a standard T8 Fluorescent replacement bulb meant for FW planted tanks...something like this...

http://hellolights.com/1865trict8no.html

 

[stevestank]

I use the biggest power compact "daylight" lightbulb over my fuge. I've had to trim back my macro just about every 6 weeks. I think they are 8 bucks at Lowes and screw into a regular lightbulb socket "clamp lamp fixture". Works like a charm. The packaging says 6500K. Be sure to put the light on a timer to come on at night when your tank light is off. This will smooth out your PH swing a bit and help photosynthetic respiration of your macro. This light fixture transmits very little heat especially with a fan right next to it pointed down onto the water in my fuge. I welcome evaporation. My top off replaces evap with higher PH RO water to keep my levels where they need to be... not ideal but good nuff... Good luck

Steve