Refugium light?

[bjj_junkie]

I'd like to see what most of you use to light your refugiums. i hear a lot of people use regular light bulbs while others like to use special refugium light fixtures. please explain why and what light you use...

 

[phishfriend]

Great question!!!! I also want to know what everyone uses. Following

 

[Terrance]

If i had a fuge, then i would try red and blue led. 660nm and 455nm. Algae loves these spectrum.

 

[Ingy]

My fuge has a simple CFL light build on a $17 desk lamp with a clip attachment. Cheato grows like a weed. Nitrates at 0 now. Don't waste your money on special lights when regular CFLs provide great light spectrum.

 

[bjj_junkie]

Do you guys run it 24 hours a day or only half days? and if so, which half?

 

[lovemyreef]

I also use cfl and cheato grows fine mine runs from midnight till noon .

 

[phishfriend]

Will CFL work for fresh water also?

 

[CorallineAlgae]

Will CFL work for fresh water also?

You bet. I always used CFLs over a refugium. I also had them over my heavily planted tank for 4 years before switching recently for variety's sake. Can't endorse them enough.

 

[fort384]

My fuge has a simple CFL light build on a $17 desk lamp with a clip attachment. Cheato grows like a weed. Nitrates at 0 now. Don't waste your money on special lights when regular CFLs provide great light spectrum.

Agree completely. I use a $6 shop clip on fixture (available at any hardware store) and a screw in CFL. My chaeto grows like mad, and I have never had detectable nitrates in my reef, or any significant algae growth in the DT to speak of. I light my refugium opposite the display tank.

 

[bjj_junkie]

Thanks a bunch, thats what i'll do and save me 50 bucks lol

 

[Keithhjs]

I use a 18 watt LED light from Home Depot. Chaeto & Caulepra grow great. LED = no heat & less energy use = win win. I run mine 24/7.