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View Full Version : Lighting for refugium for Flame Algae


Spork3245
08/22/2013, 05:43 PM
Hey guys,

So I just got some flame algae for my 'fuge from a user on here on the sales forum. I've been told that the better the lighting, the better it will look. I would very much like to grow this as quickly and as nice-looking as possible as I want to eventually cut it and keep parts of it in my main tank (for my foxface to snack on AND to look nice :) ).
I currently have this: http://www.amazon.com/Deep-Blue-Professional-ADB42890-Solarflare/dp/B007AA4D7O/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1377214697&sr=8-5&keywords=solar+flare+led which is only 3 watts for the white light and .5 watts total for the blue light. Should I upgrade? I have, at most, a $60 budget for this light and would greatly prefer LED (and some type of "clip on") as I don't want to have to worry about bulbs and ballasts. I was thinking of a "Finnex Ray2 Daylight LED"?

Thoughts?

My sump (with built-in fuge) is a 30 gallon btw, DT is a 90 gallon

BTW, this is the flame algae (not mine, but what it looks like under good lighting):

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll91/mnherper_album/mnherper15g/Ryans_pic_1862.jpg

Reefmedic79
08/22/2013, 07:10 PM
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-150-Watt-Incandescent-Clamp-Light-CE-300PDQ/100354511#.Uha2XX_DLEg

Add a simple compact fluorescent bulb, and you've got the perfect light for $15

Spork3245
08/22/2013, 07:56 PM
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-150-Watt-Incandescent-Clamp-Light-CE-300PDQ/100354511#.Uha2XX_DLEg

Add a simple compact fluorescent bulb, and you've got the perfect light for $15

Hmm... Do you think that would be bright enough to get the results shown in that picture I posted? A fluorescent equivalent of 150watt incandescent would be 35-42watts I think. Also, would heat be an issue? My tank runs a little warm due to a glass top, nothing crazy, just usually 78.5-80F, so I'd rather not add more heat if I can help it which is why I was initially looking for LED :)

fermentedhiker
08/22/2013, 08:18 PM
The light he linked is rated for UP TO 150Watt incandescent. That doesn't mean that's what you have to put in it. Depending on the depth of your fuge you might get away with a bulb in the 75/100 watt equivalent range. It will certainly develop more heat than an LED fixture but not a huge amount I don't think. The finnex fixture is very bright and would work well, but they don't come cheap(well at least not under 12$ for a bulb and fixture).

Spork3245
08/22/2013, 08:39 PM
The light he linked is rated for UP TO 150Watt incandescent. That doesn't mean that's what you have to put in it. Depending on the depth of your fuge you might get away with a bulb in the 75/100 watt equivalent range. It will certainly develop more heat than an LED fixture but not a huge amount I don't think. The finnex fixture is very bright and would work well, but they don't come cheap(well at least not under 12$ for a bulb and fixture).

I'd likely get the brightest/highest watt it can handle, as the better the lighting, the better the algae will look :p
The heat is honestly my main concern.

Spork3245
08/22/2013, 09:55 PM
Would it be safe to "clip" that clip light to the rim of the sump?

Spork3245
08/23/2013, 09:42 AM
Would it be safe to "clip" that clip light to the rim of the sump?

Anyone? :)

TheGodParticle
08/23/2013, 09:51 AM
Would it be safe to "clip" that clip light to the rim of the sump?

That's how have mine. Clipped to the side of my sump with a Par 38 bulb.

miah2bzy
08/23/2013, 01:52 PM
The PC's will give you more "light" for the watts vs other bulbs and they aren't that expensive to upgrade to.

Spork3245
08/23/2013, 05:57 PM
The PC's will give you more "light" for the watts vs other bulbs and they aren't that expensive to upgrade to.

PC's?

Spork3245
08/24/2013, 03:15 PM
Okay, got back from Home Depot a little bit ago and "installed" (clipped on :p) the light. Wish I knew about these before getting that solar flare LED! Anyway, this thing seems nice and bright - I got a 23watt "daylight" fluorescent bulb which is a 100watt incandescent equivalent. Is this good or should I get something brighter?
I went with this because it was like $7.50 for a four pack, where-as the "bigger" and brighter one, which was a 120watt equivalent, was $9 for a single bulb, and I didn't really think that 20 watts (4 actual watts) would make that big of a difference :p

Spork3245
08/24/2013, 06:33 PM
I got a 23watt "daylight" fluorescent bulb which is a 100watt incandescent equivalent. Is this good or should I get something brighter?

Anyone? :)