Sump light

[cameron0611]

Making a new sump with a refugium. Looking for ideas for lights over refugium. Anyone have any ideas.

Thanks Cameron

 

[jaybfresh]

You can put one of these in a clamp lamp: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753932

 

[sstarr1114]

I run a 6500 K bulb and a clamp on work fixture I bought at Lowe's. My Chaeto grows like crazy. I run it 24 hours a day. All together it cost me about $15.

 

[Lordfavia]

+1 This has been the best sump ligt I have ever had, Cheato grows like mad

 

[frofan]

http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

 

[Vadafallon]

Algae

Algae

I run a 6500 K bulb and a clamp on work fixture I bought at Lowe's. My Chaeto grows like crazy. I run it 24 hours a day. All together it cost me about $15.

Do you have algae issues in your sump/refug problems by running your light 24/7?

 

[EllieSuz]

Another alternative is to run the sump light on an opposite schedule. My sump light comes on when the display lights go off. Obviously, this is easier with a controller. By the way, if you get a bulb that has its own reflector, you can discard the big metal hood type reflector on the clamp-on light. They just get eroded with salt creep and you're better off without it.

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

24/7 photoperiods are probably not ideal for refugiums meant to grow macroalgae for nutrient export. Algae typically undergo mitosis in the dark. 24/7 photoperiods can lead to erratci behavior. It's hard to find scientific evidence for the species we typically use for nutrient export, but there's plenty of anecdotal evidence on this forum, plus some scientific evidence for other species of algae:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/5/aafeature

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

Another alternative is to run the sump light on an opposite schedule.

This has the added benefit of stabilizing pH in many tanks, since it puts the algae in the display tank on an opposite schedule from that in the refugium. Algae are primarily involved in photosynthesis when illuminated, and respiration when in the dark. This basically means that pH will rise during the day (when algae are using CO2) and fall during the night (when algae are producing CO2). Having the two populations of algae on opposite schedules means the pH changes that result from these changes in CO2 levels cancel each other out, resulting in a more stable pH overall.

 

[Jstn]

http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

Good read, are those par38 5100k bulbs sold at homedepot? My CFB about due and my reflector is shot.

 

[frofan]

I bought one at HD last year, but couldn't find them this year. I ended up ordering from www.lightbulbsdirect.com

 

[Vadafallon]

I got a 6500 a few days ago from Home Depot.

 

[Jstn]

I got a 6500 a few days ago from Home Depot.

CFL or a par38 like in the link?

 

[pimpinitup6969]

I also used ran mine opposite of the lights on the display. We will get that all taken care of when we get it up and running Cam.

 

[aj2494]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_346996-75774-LBP18R40/5K_0__?productId=3341412&Ntt=flourescent+floodlight&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dflourescent%2Bfloodlight&facetInfo=They have 5000k bulbs like those from the article at Lowes for $8.

 

[frofan]

I'm not sure if the one from lowes is the same. The one I got has an internal reflector and is clear, not smoked.

http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/FLFSFLPAR/1P381651

 

[aj2494]

Oops, you're right. They do have the metal reflector ones, but only in 2700k.

 

[Jstn]

I'm not sure if the one from lowes is the same. The one I got has an internal reflector and is clear, not smoked.

http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/page/001/PROD/FLFSFLPAR/1P381651

Cool thank you very much.

 

[cameron0611]

Thanks everyone this was very helpful!

 

[cameron0611]

Also does anyone use a powerhead in their sump?