Small Pendant Light for Refugium

Tobman · 12/05/2006, 01:24 PM

I need a small light for my refugium with the right lighting specs. for the macro algae. It needs to fit a small space, so dimensions of 12 in long (or less) and 4-6 in high. Horizontal pendant, as opposed to a cone shaped pendant.

Preferably less than $250, but I know many of the nicer MHs are more expensive.

So far I have only been able to find MH horizontal pendants, not PC or VHO. Like these:

Champion

Premium Aquatics

It will be mounted from the subfloor of my basement ceiling, which is raw wood, and will have a wood joist just off to its side. So it can't get too hot.

What do you all recommend?

dippin61 · 12/05/2006, 01:52 PM

you dont really need to spend that kind of money for a light for a refugium. just use the home depot halide kit thingy you can find on melevs site. i think you can easily get away with a 75w halide.. IMO, you dont even need a MH..

www.melevsreef.com

Tobman · 12/05/2006, 05:54 PM

I am using the light that Melev recommended, and my macro is dying. Not enough light as far as I can tell. Actually, I am using he sprial PC light. I think I'll try the flood light instead.

Tobman · 12/06/2006, 02:24 PM

Since I am not having luck with "Melev's" light, couldn't I try a cheap, fluoroescent aquarium strip light with a 10,000 K bulb in it? The trick is I only have 5 inches of clearance over the sump. The refugium runs from one end of the sump tank to the center brace, exactly 24 inches.

Would something like this Coralife light work, with an all daylight bulb (like the 10,000K fluorescent bulb or Nutri Grow Plant Lamp here ) in it instead of the 50/50 bulb, or would the actinic be good?

12/05/2006, 01:24 PM	#1
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	Small Pendant Light for Refugium I need a small light for my refugium with the right lighting specs. for the macro algae. It needs to fit a small space, so dimensions of 12 in long (or less) and 4-6 in high. Horizontal pendant, as opposed to a cone shaped pendant. Preferably less than $250, but I know many of the nicer MHs are more expensive. So far I have only been able to find MH horizontal pendants, not PC or VHO. Like these: Champion Premium Aquatics It will be mounted from the subfloor of my basement ceiling, which is raw wood, and will have a wood joist just off to its side. So it can't get too hot. What do you all recommend? __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef

12/05/2006, 01:52 PM	#2
dippin61 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,897	you dont really need to spend that kind of money for a light for a refugium. just use the home depot halide kit thingy you can find on melevs site. i think you can easily get away with a 75w halide.. IMO, you dont even need a MH.. www.melevsreef.com __________________ Reefers Law: It can take about 48 hours to brown, and 48 weeks to color back up! Current Tank Info: 55 Gallon BB Low Iron Glass, Dual 110w VHO Actinics, 250w PFO MH 20k XM

12/05/2006, 05:54 PM	#3
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	I am using the light that Melev recommended, and my macro is dying. Not enough light as far as I can tell. Actually, I am using he sprial PC light. I think I'll try the flood light instead. __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef

12/06/2006, 02:24 PM	#4
Tobman Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado Posts: 418	Since I am not having luck with "Melev's" light, couldn't I try a cheap, fluoroescent aquarium strip light with a 10,000 K bulb in it? The trick is I only have 5 inches of clearance over the sump. The refugium runs from one end of the sump tank to the center brace, exactly 24 inches. Would something like this Coralife light work, with an all daylight bulb (like the 10,000K fluorescent bulb or Nutri Grow Plant Lamp here ) in it instead of the 50/50 bulb, or would the actinic be good? __________________ Go Broncos! Current Tank Info: 65g reef Last edited by Tobman; 12/06/2006 at 02:41 PM.