lighting for refugium

[jessp]

what would be considered ample lighting for a sump that I would like to convert to a refugium. In addition should mud be used or sand or combination of both. Should the plant be attached to rock, i've scene caulerpa and different plants sold in the LFS and they are not attached to rocks, should live rock be added to the refugium for the plants? any assistance is appreciated?

 

[SnowboardKid26]

i have a 20L sump/fuge that i run a 18w PC 7100K/10K bulb in growing chaeto and it grows great. i only use sand, about 4" thick and I have around 7 lbs of rock in it. you just want to make sure the flow is slow throught your fuge, and remember that macro likes a more yellow spectrum than your corals do. My chaeto just floats in the water column

 

[rustybucket145]

First, how big is your sump that you wish to convert? If the flow is pretty high through it you will not be able to have a sand or mudd bottom. The water will disturb the sand/mud and it will end up in your main tank (or in your pump). The light mentioned above is your best bet. It is cheap and so is the fixture for it.

Because you probably won't be able to use sand it would be a great idea to use live rock rubble or shell rubble in the bottom. This will give a place for pods and bristleworms to grow and breed without being someone elses dinner. I don't agree with the previous posters view on slow flow through the fuge. The faster the better (within reason). Chaeto would be great for you to start with. I'm not positive but I think there are some species of caulpera that require specific lighting schedules to prevent reproduction.

 

[jessp]

thanks for the input,

the sump is rated for a 75 that i'm using in my 37 gal tank, so i'd ay it's about 15 galons, I have the bioballs in the filter still and i know that everyone says that they are a nitrate sink. I do 20% water changes ever couple weeks, this has been keeping he nitrates in check. I know the refugium would really help, and it doesn't sound very expensive to start up. the lighting rock and lamp shouldn't be much.

Should i add the plants rock and light, then slowly remove the bioballs?

Again I appreciate your info.