Refugium Light Spectrum

[FraggledRock]

What is the best color spectrum for a refugium?

is daylight balance enough or should I go more in the red range(with a red bulb) for chaeto growth?

 

[ShallowPlanet]

I always just used something close to a daylight balance with good results.

 

[FraggledRock]

I always just used something close to a daylight balance with good results.

Thats what I have righ tnow 100w 5000k bulb in a home depot clamp shop light.

I just noticed my chaeto not really growing

 

[dbl]

I'm using a 6500k bulb in clamp on light and have to thin out the Chaeto every other month due to growth.

 

[FraggledRock]

I'm using a 6500k bulb in clamp on light and have to thin out the Chaeto every other month due to growth.

I guess I will just wait it out.

I did notice my emerald crab was munching on it a few weeks ago, I moved him into a different chamber, i guess he really did work on it LOL

I just was wondering if a particular spectrum helped grow faster than another

 

[Coelli]

Not sure - I use a 5k 90w-equivalent in a clip-on and have red gracilaria that's probably a third again as big in the 3 weeks it's been in the sump, and the couple of strands of chaeto mixed in have grown exponentially. Maybe swap your bulb with a different one, CFLs can lose intensity?

 

[FraggledRock]

Not sure - I use a 5k 90w-equivalent in a clip-on and have red gracilaria that's probably a third again as big in the 3 weeks it's been in the sump, and the couple of strands of chaeto mixed in have grown exponentially. Maybe swap your bulb with a different one, CFLs can lose intensity?

its the LED "bulb" from home depot.

 

[Jlentz]

I'm curious about this too, I was debating between getting something at Home depot or making something out of LED light strip myself. Is 6k the spectrum that's needed?

I love LEDs for the heat and power requirements but its kinda annoying how they put out such a narrow spectrum.

 

[dbl]

I didn't have these earlier when I responded, but here's what I was referring to with my original post. The research I found indicated the 6,500k range is recommended. I'm certainly no expert here, and I'm sure there are better and much more expensive ways to handle this, but I can say this set up is growing chaeto extremely well, at least for me.

 

[Fishy 1]

You also have to remember that some tanks will grow algae better than others. You could have the exact same setup as someone else that is growing chaeto like crazy and yours isn't growing at all because every tank is different. I know everyone is trying to help but take advice with a grain of salt as what works for them may not for you. So use the advice as a starting point and go from there. I've also read and heard that 6.5k is a good spectrum but some people go even lower than that as it has more red in the spectrum which encourages algae growth.

 

[DamonG]

I run hps mini systems on my fuge. Cheap, little heat and grows like mad.

To answer the question, pretty effectively, the lower the kelvin, the better in my experience(i know that goes against the thinking, but it's very effective on the reef end). But also, plenty of power is needed to grow it fast and effectively. In my opinion, most of the fuge that will not grow, is basically because of lack of light power.

I clean my fuge out at least 35% every two weeks at least with the sodium. Before that, with a little led, it was dying. I also have run full 165 watt led fixtures, with both channels on, one dominant, etc, and the sodiums just blow everything away..

 

[FraggledRock]

You also have to remember that some tanks will grow algae better than others. You could have the exact same setup as someone else that is growing chaeto like crazy and yours isn't growing at all because every tank is different. I know everyone is trying to help but take advice with a grain of salt as what works for them may not for you. So use the advice as a starting point and go from there. I've also read and heard that 6.5k is a good spectrum but some people go even lower than that as it has more red in the spectrum which encourages algae growth.

Yes very true info! Thanks I was just wondering if people had comparative results in their testing since this is my first setup and wanted to get the most out of each component =)

 

[FraggledRock]

I run hps mini systems on my fuge. Cheap, little heat and grows like mad.

To answer the question, pretty effectively, the lower the kelvin, the better in my experience(i know that goes against the thinking, but it's very effective on the reef end). But also, plenty of power is needed to grow it fast and effectively. In my opinion, most of the fuge that will not grow, is basically because of lack of light power.

I clean my fuge out at least 35% every two weeks at least with the sodium. Before that, with a little led, it was dying. I also have run full 165 watt led fixtures, with both channels on, one dominant, etc, and the sodiums just blow everything away..

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "the sodium"?

 

[DamonG]

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "the sodium"?

Sure.. High pressure sodium fixtures/system(s) and bulbs.. Otherwise known as one of the popular tops of HID lighting solutions.

 

[FraggledRock]

Sure.. High pressure sodium fixtures/system(s) and bulbs.. Otherwise known as one of the popular tops of HID lighting solutions.

Ohh cool any links for that lighting? Thanks!

 

[Kenmx10]

Cheato also needs down time. Its good to run the fuge at night while your tank light is off. 12 hours daily works good.

 

[DamonG]

Ohh cool any links for that lighting? Thanks!

Sure :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001J...ht+fixture&dpPl=1&dpID=4177PzrBH+L&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KM...ht+fixture&dpPl=1&dpID=417vsiToFUL&ref=plSrch

 

[FraggledRock]

Sure :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001J...ht+fixture&dpPl=1&dpID=4177PzrBH+L&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KM...ht+fixture&dpPl=1&dpID=417vsiToFUL&ref=plSrch

Thanks so much!

 

[FraggledRock]

Cheato also needs down time. Its good to run the fuge at night while your tank light is off. 12 hours daily works good.

Yes I do reverse lighting cycle at night! Thanks!

 

[Kenmx10]

High pressure sodium bulbs contain mercury, So if you run them you better not bust one in your tank.

Halide would be a safer option. But an inexpensive incandescent or flouresent bulb from Home Depot would work and use less energy.