Chaeto does it need light

[puffer21]

Im tring to make a refruim out of my new aquaclear filter and i was wondering if Chaetomorpha Algae needs lighting. It will get sun light since it is on the tank and it will get the tanks light is that enough or do i need to get a small light to put over it.
thanks puffer21

[XeniaMania]

It may be enough to support it, but in terms of getting it to grow and provide nutrient export, I don't think it'll do much there. Also, I think it's generally a good idea to avoid sunlight as it'll add an extra heating element to your tank during the hotter months wouldn't cha say?

[puffer21]

So i should get a small light. Also there is not a lot of sunlight just a little the sun sets and the light sines in a little for like an hour.

[mr pink floyd]

yea, go to home depot, or lowes, go in the lighting department look around, you will see a small light, maybe 5 inches across, it is a shiny piece of parabolic aluminum, it has a spring clip o nthe back, adn can clip onto the filter

put a house light bulb in it (preferably one of the small curly ones) those are compact flourescents, then clip it on tank or filter or shelf, or anything , and watch it grow!

mine is growing great like this!

[puffer21]

this kind of light
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/clowne21/other/light.jpg
but what do i put it in

[mr pink floyd]

yea, ill try to fidn a pic of the light, i dont feel lie kgettign the camera

[puffer21]

ok thanks

[stevedola]

i use a grow light bulb with the clip on fixture. along with a digi timer it cost of total of 25 (+/- $1). Set the light to run on a reverse photo period. I found that the grow light helps growth of the macro. Good luck.

[rustybucket145]

Lowes and HD have a Power compact light (like the one you posted) but it is a flood light with a build in reflector. You can use this bulb and a simple screw in socket. You do not need the metal reflector, they trap heat anyways. I know melev has done some actual side-by-side comparisons with these bulbs and the growth has been great. I use them on my tank along with natural sunlight and I have to pull out handfulls of Chaeto each week. I think the light has a color temp of 5700K.

You could either spring and go ahead and purchase the bulb $8 +/- and socket $1 +/- or you could just try it the way you have it now. Chaeto is usually free from other people so what do you have to loose. I seriously doubt it will die. It just might not grow as fast as you would like. I know one thing for sure Chaeto LOVES Natural sunlight.

[puffer21]

ok thank for the help. i was just looking at this would it work.
http://www.petsolutions.com/Jalli+11+13+watt+Compact+Strip-I-12516835-I-C-33-C-.aspx
i say someone with the same setup i want with this light or is it a waste of money.

[load1]

An update on melev’s thread on lights and part #. HD sells flood part # 9P919, this is only 27k. The new part # for the 57k bulb is 2P381951K. You still have to order the 57k bulb.

[puffer21]

oh