Refugium Lighting

[coolj1]

What is the recommended lighting requirements for a refugium? I just got my sump going and want to make the middle chamber a refugium with Chaeto algae and maybe a mangrove tree.

I've heard everything from a T5 to a simple flood light. The advice is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[cr500_af]

A flood bulb in a clamp-on reflector is fine. Look for something in the 5500K spectrum range. There is an article on melevsreef.com about a bulb that produced good results if you want to go check it out.

 

[superclown]

A floodlamp worked fine for me i was actually having.to cut the cheato back with that lighting

 

[jef4y]

I had a ~$100 light over the sump and ditched it for 2 clamp on fixtures with 2 5100k flood bulbs. $20'ish total and my chaeto growth is probably 4-5x what it was before.

 

[fish scales2]

Even a lower spectrum bulb will work great. ie 3500k

Really a clamp on light a plant grow bulb from HD works fabulous.

 

[nanonano]

T5 on a fuge for chaeto? lol.

I agree with the other guys. I use cheap lights and the chaeto grows well. Actually I have some underwater bulbs that really got it going, but the place I got them from no long sells them. I need some more.

I also have the clip on flood light for the mangroves.

 

[coolj1]

Thanks for the advice.

Yea I just went to home depot and got a clamp on flood light for it, 5100K is the rating. I thought a T5 would be overkill but some websites suggested strong lighting for it.

 

[thbrewst]

Would a CFL bulb work with one of the clip on fixtures? I'm trying to bring down my power needs.

 

[jead85]

i'd imagine most people use the clamp on, with a CFL floodlight. Works great, and cheap

 

[gnashty]

thbrewst;578555 wrote: Would a CFL bulb work with one of the clip on fixtures? I'm trying to bring down my power needs.

This is what I use

 

[thbrewst]

gnashty;578600 wrote: This is what I use

Cool. What wattage are you using and approx how big is your fuge? Mine is 1/3 of a 40g breeder, so ~14 gallons.

 

[jef4y]

I think mine are 65 watt. Whatever, they are CFL floods which are 5100k spectrum. I run 2 of them on my fuge/sump combo.