Halogen lighting and coraline algae?

surfingelite · 07/08/2007, 01:15 PM

My friend and I are trying to setup some reef aquariums in the near future. A LFS closed recently and we were able to get some 30L tanks for cheap. We have deceided to take some old live rock that we have and put it these tanks so that we can grow some nice coraline algae on these rocks. We are too cheap to put any decent lighting and saw some halogen lighting at Lowes.

Would halogen lighting be suitable for coraling algae to grow?

Any other suggestions for our cheap venture?

Tennsquire · 07/08/2007, 02:35 PM

Coralline can grow in some pretty low-light conditions. You might have better luck getting a cheap flourescent fixture (like a shop light) at Lowes/Home Depot/Wally World and putting some daylight bulbs in it. Might be cheaper to run than a halogen security light, and will probably have a better spectrum. It also helps to have decent flow, so you'll need a powerhead or two depending on the size of the tank.

Musho3210 · 07/08/2007, 04:49 PM

use those PC floodlights.

07/08/2007, 01:15 PM	#1
surfingelite Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Raleigh/Wilmington NC area Posts: 40	Halogen lighting and coraline algae? My friend and I are trying to setup some reef aquariums in the near future. A LFS closed recently and we were able to get some 30L tanks for cheap. We have deceided to take some old live rock that we have and put it these tanks so that we can grow some nice coraline algae on these rocks. We are too cheap to put any decent lighting and saw some halogen lighting at Lowes. Would halogen lighting be suitable for coraling algae to grow? Any other suggestions for our cheap venture?

07/08/2007, 02:35 PM	#2
Tennsquire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,399	Coralline can grow in some pretty low-light conditions. You might have better luck getting a cheap flourescent fixture (like a shop light) at Lowes/Home Depot/Wally World and putting some daylight bulbs in it. Might be cheaper to run than a halogen security light, and will probably have a better spectrum. It also helps to have decent flow, so you'll need a powerhead or two depending on the size of the tank. __________________ Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile.... Current Tank Info: 75 reef (2x 250 ReefOptix IIIs, AB 10k bulbs w/ 330 watt VHO, EuroReef RC135 skimmer, multicontrolled Tunze 6095's X2); 40 sps prop tank (Outer Orbit Pro 150, Euroreef CS6-1+ skimmer); 20 softie prop tank

07/08/2007, 04:49 PM	#3
Musho3210 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Evanston IL (near chicago) Posts: 1,899	use those PC floodlights. __________________ Ryan