Refugium Light Question

[coralfragger101]

I've seen mentioned on here several times now about the light from Home Depot that folks are growning macro like crazy with. It's the 65 watt (equal to 500w of light) one.

The same company puts out a 42 watt (equal to 150 w of light) unit.

I'm just wondering if anyone has tried this one yet? I'm not sure I want the equivalant of 500 watts of light output in the middle of the night while I'm trying to sleep.

 

[ahoyhoy239]

actually i was looking around HD the other day also for a good light but idk i didnt see anything that poeple mentioned on here. i am also curious as to what people are using

 

[FleeVT]

I'm also looking; it would be good to know the size of refugium perople are using their respective lights on, as well.

 

[coralfragger101]

This is the one that I found at HD.

Correction to First Post - it's equal to 250 w of light.

This is not identical to the packaging that I saw someone else post some time ago but this has the flourex bulb which is probably the most important factor.

I've got a 20 gal fuge and it lights it up pretty darn good. Only problem I see is the way this one mounts. It will mount perfectly but then it's not easily removeable. The 65 watt version looks like it may be easier to mount as a hanging light.

I'm debating on taking this one back.

 

[flyguy7150]

does a fuge light really need to be run 24 hours a day?? Would you still get good macro growth running it only 12 hours?

 

[coralfragger101]

I run mine opposite of the main tank. It's only on at night for about 10 hrs.

 

[pedromatic]

I use this light and I run it on the same schedule as my display lights. I run a moonlight on the fuge all night. I have a combination of caulerpa, the other one that looks like a cactus, and a couple of mangrove sprouts (in the main fuge section), cheato (in the area where the water spills over to the return section). In the fuge there are clams, flame scallops, tunicates, hermits, snails, ghost shrimp, and all kinds of bugs and mysis. Oh yeah, and a Neon Dottyback in exile, doing very well in his little domain.

 

[compulou]

Coralfragger, you've got the right brand just the wrong product. And I'm not saying this light won't work I'm just saying that the one your looking for is not that one. The one I think your looking for is also made by LOA (Lights of America) but it is the 6500k 65w (like 500w) version. It's more like a box than the light you have pictured there.

 

[coralfragger101]

I saw that one there as well. I do think this light would work - bulb made by the same company as well. I just wasn't sure I wanted the light output of the box like 65w one but now that I realize that the box like one would be easier to "hang" I think I am going to take this one back and get the other one.

 

[compulou]

If you do get ready for your cheato to go MAD!!! I have to trim it every week to two weeks.

 

[lilfishbigreef]

i purchased the same light that you guys are speaking of, and i agree about the growth. Eric (Reefwreak) gave me some Cheato and it has doubled in size in about a month. the light is BRIGHT and does shine all over! however any 1 major light source with all other lights off is still going to be bright inside a house (sorry to point out the obvious) i got use to it after a while. i am happy i got it.

BTW the bulb does not turn on all at once, it slowly gets brighter, i thought there was something wrong with it but it was not the case.

 

[coralfragger101]

I swapped it out for the bigger one. How far above the chaeto are you running these lights?

 

[lilfishbigreef]

approx 14"