Refugium lighting for chaeto

[awatson72]

I'm currently using a 6500K 100W Compact flourescent bulb, (the screw in type), and my Chaeto does not grow well at all. I leave it on about 18 hours a day. Could a different color temperature bulb make it grow better? What would be a good choice?

Thanks.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

6500K is perfect for chaeto. You only want it to grow from using the nutrients in the tank. If it is green and healthy then its doing a good job. If it turns yellow and brittle then you need better light or Iron suppliment.

 

[awatson72]

I wouldn't say it's yellow and brittle, it just sort of sits there, doesn't grow, and eventually sort of disitegrates and disappears. Meanwhile, the unwanted hair algae grows lavishly on my live rock! I'm trying to figure out why the chaeto isn't doing a better job of controlling the phosphates that I believe are fueling the growth of the hair algae. I've read a bunch on this, and obviously it's a huge challenge to reefkeepers, but I'm not getting anywhere with the problem.

 

[willewonka]

I use a grow light I got form Home Depot. Works great I leave it on 24hrs a day

 

[neepsync]

I use a 20w fluorescent over my 20gal chaeto tank and it grows crazy fast. I have the photoperiod set for 16 hours. I think the bulb is rated at 12k.