Saltwater & Reef

**Zer0** · 05-04-2010, 01:10 AM

Yeah so.. i went to HD to look for light hangers and the like, and i remembered i had to get a light for my fuge. I was originally going to pick up that Rio mini LED sunlight fixture or whatever the heck it was.. but then decided against it because it may not have been strong enough for my purposes. So instead while at HD, i picked up one of those simple aluminum circular reflector lights. So.. my question is will this light be strong enough to grow out my macros and a single mangrove? It's something like a 3600k PC spiral bulb. It's something like 60watts as well. Well.. technically its 14watts.. but puts out the equivalent of 60watts. Is this light going to do the trick?

And yes.. i know the shelf is crooked and held together by mini screw-in hangers.. and yes.. i know the sump is dirty as heck, and yes.. i know the silicone job on the baffles looks like a 3year old did it... All in due time it will be nice and tidy.. all in due time.

Thanks for reading guys.

BigJim · 05-04-2010, 09:36 AM

I'd replace the bulb with something in the 6700K and step up to to a 26W for best effect. You could probably do ok with what you've got, but I think your results might be limited.

**Zer0** · 05-04-2010, 12:57 PM

Yeah.. that's what i was thinking as well. Hoping i could get away with one of those cheap spiral bulbs lol, but i guess not. I think a new bulb is on order anyways. So like.. do you know what kind of bulb i should be looking for? Do they even make regular bulbs in the 6700k range? I've never seen one at HD.. Thanks for the help though BigJim.

EDIT*

So then.. a bulb like this would enable me to grow out my freakin macros?
http://cgi.ebay.com/GROW-LIGHT-BULB-FLUORESCENT-LAMP-PLANT-6500k-HYDRO-CFL-/120563252536?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&ha sh=item1c12213d38

Oh well.. doesn't matter. Bought a Type A 23watt 6500k bulb. So.. that's as close as it gets lol.

BigJim · 05-04-2010, 02:28 PM

I'm saying you can use a spiral CFL. I use them on my FW planted tanks. I'd just suggest getting a bigger, bluer bulb. Plants use light in the 6700K spectrum much more efficiently than other spectrums. I'm using some "soft white" bulbs that I imagine are close to your 3600K bulb and I hate the yellow light they throw. I have a theory that algae uses a wider spectrum of light and the 3600K bulbs are contributing to my algae problems. I found some 6500K bulbs in the closet last night, so I'm going to switch them in and see if it makes a difference.