Best lighting for Chaeto???

Richieboy · 12/15/2006, 06:51 AM

Hey guys...what's the best lighting for chaeto in my sump? I was thinking of using PC..but how much watts should I be using....I have about 2 gallons worth of chaeto in a 5 gallon sized compartment in a 30 gallon sump...Is 80 watts of PC too much ,or not enough...what's the optimum lighting for chaeto anyways? Thanks

serpentman · 12/15/2006, 07:04 AM

The best bang for the buck is a Lights of America 6500K spotlight from Home Depot. For ~$7-8 you can't beat it and your Chaeto will thrive under it.

Heres a good article:

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

kfowler · 12/15/2006, 07:28 AM

Or also try Melev's TCP CF reflector bulb. They make a 19 watt (85 Watt) $7.48 and a 16 watt (75 watt) $6.85. They burn at a nice 5100K. Plus side is they're easy to clean because of the lens. Down side is you'll probably have to order them. I get mine from 1000bulbs.com1000bulbs.com . Great prices but you'll want to order more than one due to shipping.

papagimp · 12/15/2006, 09:06 AM

heres the bulb I've been using, my cheato seems to grow well under it:

Hugeness · 12/15/2006, 10:34 AM

The best light? I light my refugium with a 250k icecap mh and the chaeto grows like mad! I can almost see it growing... One of my MH's died so I replaced the display lighting with t5, and the refugium got the remaining MH and VHO's.

12/15/2006, 06:51 AM	#1
Richieboy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: CALI-4-NIA Posts: 156	Best lighting for Chaeto??? Hey guys...what's the best lighting for chaeto in my sump? I was thinking of using PC..but how much watts should I be using....I have about 2 gallons worth of chaeto in a 5 gallon sized compartment in a 30 gallon sump...Is 80 watts of PC too much ,or not enough...what's the optimum lighting for chaeto anyways? Thanks

12/15/2006, 07:04 AM	#2
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	The best bang for the buck is a Lights of America 6500K spotlight from Home Depot. For ~$7-8 you can't beat it and your Chaeto will thrive under it. Heres a good article: http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

12/15/2006, 07:28 AM	#3
kfowler Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,095	Or also try Melev's TCP CF reflector bulb. They make a 19 watt (85 Watt) $7.48 and a 16 watt (75 watt) $6.85. They burn at a nice 5100K. Plus side is they're easy to clean because of the lens. Down side is you'll probably have to order them. I get mine from 1000bulbs.com1000bulbs.com . Great prices but you'll want to order more than one due to shipping. __________________ Kevin "You cannot achieve what you are not willing to pursue." Current Tank Info: 20g Mixed Reef

12/15/2006, 09:06 AM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	heres the bulb I've been using, my cheato seems to grow well under it: __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

12/15/2006, 10:34 AM	#5
Hugeness Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Right behind you! Posts: 92	The best light? I light my refugium with a 250k icecap mh and the chaeto grows like mad! I can almost see it growing... One of my MH's died so I replaced the display lighting with t5, and the refugium got the remaining MH and VHO's.