Refugium Lighting; What's everyone using

[Jeff.:P]

I'm getting into the final details of my system; and thinking of what to use to light my 20g fuge. I have a 65watt cf fixture from my freshwater tanks that I could use. Would I be better of with a clamp on light(75watts)? or porch flood light (150watts+)?

i.e. http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

What do you guys/gals use? TIA

 

[NHreefer]

I got a 42 watt flourex fixture from home depot on clearance for $10. I lay it on the refugium, the shield touches the water. I have had expolsive growth of the plantlife. I weed it out once a month. Itis VERY bright and cheap for the money, only drawback is it will light the main tank up alot. It would be best to paint the refugium black to keep the light out, but the fish seem to get used to it, it is alot less bright than the normal lights. My $.02

 

[NHreefer]

Forgot to mention it's 6500k which is a nice color and with the lens cover on the water it adds warmth to the tank for me(it's in the garage now) but you could rig it to sit above the water.

 

[Jeff.:P]

Aha, it's does give off some heat though? I'm trying to refrain from adding any additional heat, so maybe I'll just stick with the CF fixture. thanks

 

[jamesdong009]

I use an Ott-lite plant bulb on an clamp on fixture. Works pretty well and I think it only uses 17 watts. Heat is pretty minimal.

 

[Jeff.:P]

Ya I might be going in that direction. I can't find the Kelvin on those bulbs though.

 

[JohnK]

Thread moved to reeftalk at the thread starter's request.

 

[Jeff.:P]

Thanks again!

 

[JohnK]

I use the good old lights of america 65W flood light. ($40 from HD).

They work great, but do get a little hot.

 

[NHreefer]

I'm using the LOA also, the 65w was a little to bright, I only have a hang-on refugium. Also the light itself gets hot but not the water if it's above it, my lens cover actually sits on the refugium water so it picks up the heat by coolling the lens.

 

[mahk]

Im using a new light from Sylvania that you can get at Lowes for 6$. Its called a daytime bulb. Its 6500k, of the compact fluorescent variety. They come in a blue box. I just looked on their website and I do not see it listed. But the growth of my cheato is amazing now that I switched to it. I just screw it into a work light that has pressure clips.

 

[Jeff.:P]

Hmm, I think I'm gonna make a trip to home depot and see what they have. The works light with the clamp-ons sound like the cheapest and easiest to work with but low on the aesthetic side. The flood light fixture would have a nice clean look under the stand, but heat up a little. decisions, decisions..

 

[this is me]

Coralife T5 Strip.
http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/Coralife_Aqualight_T5_Aquarium_Lighting_p/res58020.htm

I change the second bulb to 10K. so it is 2x14w 10K.

 

[Jeff.:P]

That's what I have with 65 watts, are you getting good macro-algae growth?

 

[stevenp]

LOA here as well.

 

[mikenjo]

i have the lights of america flood light bulb its a 6500k bulb that draws around
13w i put it in a cheap metal clip on fixture cost around $12 total cheato growth very fast

 

[JayM]

I use the good old lights of america 65W flood light. ($40 from HD).

They work great, but do get a little hot.

me too, and my algae grows out of the tank

 

[Fish Ace]

I use the 65 watt 6500k LOA CF equal to 500 watts on a 12 hour timer. I have no cheato growth at all but what cheato I have looks real good.

 

[jbishop]

Crappy Clip on light and a cheap-o CF bulb.

 

[stingythingy45]

I use the 65 watt 6500k spotlight bulb in a worklight fixture.
This is over only a 10 gallon tank,but I double the chaeto every 2-3 weeks.
I've collected enough to pack a 20L and plan to exchange it for store credit this weekend.