Refugium Lighting

[corpjet1]

Whats the optimal or best lighting to have on a sump to grow chaeto?

What is everyone using to light their refugiums?

[a.browning]

I use a 6500K spiral compact flourescent bulb on my refugium. Grows chaeto great!

[fmuakkassa]

I use two 6500K 19w=85w power compact PAR38 light bulbs. Works good. I was wondering about the new LED bulbs though.

[mcgyvr]

6500k compact fluorescent flood light here too... like $10 from home depot/lowes.
The new LED bulbs should work just fine too. Just stay in the higher K rating (like 6500)

[reefgeezer]

I use a 6500K spiral compact flourescent bulb on my refugium. Grows chaeto great!

+1. Also seems so support the Xenia and mushrooms that live there.

[corpjet1]

Thanks for the replies, do you guys use the clip on kind that attaches to the side? Any pics to share?

Do you guys have any concerns with heat issues in the sump or does the light not emit too much heat?

[a.browning]

+1. Also seems so support the Xenia and mushrooms that live there.

I too have some random soft corals down there, which are growing quite well actually.

Thanks for the replies, do you guys use the clip on kind that attaches to the side? Any pics to share?

Do you guys have any concerns with heat issues in the sump or does the light not emit too much heat?

I use a clip on clamp lamp from lowes. The bulb does put off a little heat, but not enough to cause any issues in my experience. I don't think you would notice any heat differences in your system. I'll see if I can find a pic of my setup to help you out.

[Reefnut2010]

The clip ons work great and are nice and cheap at HD/lowes. They give off some heat, but nothing compared to my MHs. I keep mine on all day, since I grow Caulerpa in my fuge. Stuff grows like crazy. I freeze and throw away huge chunks every 3-5 weeks !! No real need for fancy lighting down there. 6500k bulbs will do.

[a.browning]

Found a pic. I run my lights reverse schedule of the display lighting.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u153/pflueger6740/75%20Gallon/1023020221.jpg

[Danny_B]

I used to use 6500k...but I switched to 2700k and it grows like mad. I always get the highest wattage par38 outdoor cfl bulbs that I can find...ussually 23w.

[Tickle]

I use a 20 watt multi chip 6500k. Chaeto grows like a weed. I have a thread on here somewhere I'm sure if you click my name and search my posts you'll find it.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

[corpjet1]

much appreciated, thanks guys for all your help, great feed back!

[passion4reef]

1 use 2 par 30 led spot lights on a 50 br fuge. bought from walmart and they work good with the clamp on fixture. my buddy uses the par 38 version and is getting great results