best lighting for macro algae?

jong101 · 04/27/2007, 11:23 AM

can anyone tell me what the best lighting to have on my refugium for the macro algae, i have chaeto and some caulerpa. i have a 20gallon refuge.

papagimp · 04/27/2007, 11:30 AM

Anything in the 5000k -6800k should be good. I personaly use a spiraled compact flourescent from Lowes for my fuge (10g). It doesn't really need to be anything overly fancy for cheato. Shop clamp lights will work fine.

badfish · 04/27/2007, 11:38 AM

Here is a good article.

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

rob28 · 04/27/2007, 11:53 AM

I have a small spiral flor. from the LFS and my calerpa is growing like a weed.

jong101 · 04/27/2007, 03:01 PM

how long do you guys leave the lights on a day, i currently have 22watts of 50/50 do you think i should switch the bulbs for one similar to those int the article

wizzbane15 · 04/27/2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by papagimp
Anything in the 5000k -6800k should be good. I personaly use a spiraled compact flourescent from Lowes for my fuge (10g). It doesn't really need to be anything overly fancy for cheato. Shop clamp lights will work fine.

ditto.

clownin'round · 04/27/2007, 05:02 PM

i use the mini aqualight pc's. chaeto isn't growing but isn't dieing either. thinking about changing the 10k bulb for the 6500k freshwater bulb instead. didn't have enough clearance inside the stand for a clip on light.

jong101 · 04/27/2007, 09:09 PM

but, does can anyone tell me what amount of time i should leave light on the chaeto?

Joe Cool · 04/27/2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jong101
but, does can anyone tell me what amount of time i should leave light on the chaeto?

run it on a reverse cycle of your tank lights.

reefgrief · 04/27/2007, 10:17 PM

I don't believe macro algae are photoperiod sensitive like flowering seed plants. While they might be influenced to produce gametophytes, the most prevalent method of reproduction is vegetative, so 8hrs, 12 hors or 24 hours of light will work.. In a poorly buffered system, 24 hours of light will consume a lot of CO2, which might raise pH.. and lights off longer than 12 hours might produce enough CO2, ( along with other decaying nutrients) to drop pH below 8.0

Can anyone share any xperience with photoperiod induced pH shift ?

loves saltwater · 04/27/2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by papagimp
Anything in the 5000k -6800k should be good. I personaly use a spiraled compact flourescent from Lowes for my fuge (10g). It doesn't really need to be anything overly fancy for cheato. Shop clamp lights will work fine.

Ditto

mnestroy · 04/27/2007, 10:53 PM

I found my cheato didn't start to grow crazy until I blasted it with a 2nd spiral bulb.... just something to try.

rm · 04/27/2007, 11:12 PM

I tried the 5500k bulb Melev tested (Thanks Melev).

I'm using it over caulerpa not chaeto

It worked great and I was able to find the bulbs local at home depot or lowes.

The growth rate was much higher than my previous bulbs.

I made the more is better mistake and purchased a 90W power compact bulb. If you do this make sure you raise it much higher than your old bulb (burnt a hole clean through the macro algae).

0p3n Brain · 04/28/2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefgrief
I don't believe macro algae are photoperiod sensitive like flowering seed plants. While they might be influenced to produce gametophytes, the most prevalent method of reproduction is vegetative, so 8hrs, 12 hors or 24 hours of light will work.. In a poorly buffered system, 24 hours of light will consume a lot of CO2, which might raise pH.. and lights off longer than 12 hours might produce enough CO2, ( along with other decaying nutrients) to drop pH below 8.0

Can anyone share any xperience with photoperiod induced pH shift ?

I run 2 65W 50/50 PCs over a 40G fuge 24 hrs per day. My pH is rock solid at 8.2. I have a mix of Cheato and Caulepra.

elegance coral · 04/28/2007, 12:32 AM

MH is best if you ask me. My lights are listed below. I have to harvest algae every week or two.

cyclops23 · 04/28/2007, 02:25 AM

i use the bulbs melev recommended. they are great. they kick the crap out of the other bulbs i used before them. all of my macro algae has at least doubled(most cases, tripled) their growth rates. don't think i don't have much for macro, either. i have a lot of cheato, some caulerpa(can't seem to get it all out), halimeda, razor, and some fern like stuff that came on the rock. since i put in the bulbs melev said worked(5100K), the growth has been spectacular and my excess nutrients have been nil. HTH.

cyclops23 · 04/28/2007, 02:26 AM

BTW, i have mine on 24 hours( 2 bulbs over the fuge on 12 hours, 1 bulb over the sump, on 12 hours). ph 8.1

04/27/2007, 11:23 AM	#1
jong101 user Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: huntington, ny Posts: 379	best lighting for macro algae? can anyone tell me what the best lighting to have on my refugium for the macro algae, i have chaeto and some caulerpa. i have a 20gallon refuge.

04/27/2007, 11:30 AM	#2
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	Anything in the 5000k -6800k should be good. I personaly use a spiraled compact flourescent from Lowes for my fuge (10g). It doesn't really need to be anything overly fancy for cheato. Shop clamp lights will work fine. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

04/27/2007, 11:38 AM	#3
badfish Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 1,970	Here is a good article. http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html __________________ "My second home is a third world cantina" RCPM Current Tank Info: Not big enough.

04/27/2007, 11:53 AM	#4
rob28 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 241	I have a small spiral flor. from the LFS and my calerpa is growing like a weed. __________________ When Hell Freezes Over I'll Ice Fish There TOO!!!! Current Tank Info: 55gallon,16 gall.refugium/sump 4X55W T5'S 2 false Percs,Pj Cardinal,6 line Wrasses,Green Manderine, Flame Angle,2- Purple Firefish,Lawnmower Blenny,Serpant Star,Seaba Anm., Hammer coral,Zoo's, 80 lbs Live rock/100 lbs sand

04/27/2007, 03:01 PM	#5
jong101 user Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: huntington, ny Posts: 379	how long do you guys leave the lights on a day, i currently have 22watts of 50/50 do you think i should switch the bulbs for one similar to those int the article __________________ Jon G. Current Tank Info: 144 half circle, 40g sump, 2x250 lumen brite's, np biopellets. 20x20x9.5 frag tank w/ dual 1" overflows

04/27/2007, 05:02 PM	#7
clownin'round Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 61	i use the mini aqualight pc's. chaeto isn't growing but isn't dieing either. thinking about changing the 10k bulb for the 6500k freshwater bulb instead. didn't have enough clearance inside the stand for a clip on light.

04/27/2007, 09:09 PM	#8
jong101 user Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: huntington, ny Posts: 379	but, does can anyone tell me what amount of time i should leave light on the chaeto? __________________ Jon G. Current Tank Info: 144 half circle, 40g sump, 2x250 lumen brite's, np biopellets. 20x20x9.5 frag tank w/ dual 1" overflows

04/27/2007, 10:17 PM	#10
reefgrief Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ohio Posts: 80	I don't believe macro algae are photoperiod sensitive like flowering seed plants. While they might be influenced to produce gametophytes, the most prevalent method of reproduction is vegetative, so 8hrs, 12 hors or 24 hours of light will work.. In a poorly buffered system, 24 hours of light will consume a lot of CO2, which might raise pH.. and lights off longer than 12 hours might produce enough CO2, ( along with other decaying nutrients) to drop pH below 8.0 Can anyone share any xperience with photoperiod induced pH shift ? __________________ hmmm.. I should've unplugged that pump before I moved the hose :( Current Tank Info: 150g reef

04/27/2007, 10:53 PM	#12
mnestroy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 2,216	I found my cheato didn't start to grow crazy until I blasted it with a 2nd spiral bulb.... just something to try.

04/27/2007, 11:12 PM	#13
rm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 99	I tried the 5500k bulb Melev tested (Thanks Melev). I'm using it over caulerpa not chaeto It worked great and I was able to find the bulbs local at home depot or lowes. The growth rate was much higher than my previous bulbs. I made the more is better mistake and purchased a 90W power compact bulb. If you do this make sure you raise it much higher than your old bulb (burnt a hole clean through the macro algae). __________________ "People are not persuaded by what we say, but rather by what they understand."

04/28/2007, 12:32 AM	#15
elegance coral They call me EC Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: central Florida Posts: 6,208	MH is best if you ask me. My lights are listed below. I have to harvest algae every week or two. __________________ "Most of the failures with marine aquaria are due to lack of knowledge of the biological processes that occur in the aquarium." Martin A. Moe, Jr. "A scientist seeks the truth, wherever that may lead. A believer already knows the truth, and cannot be swayed no matter how compelling the evidence." Current Tank Info: I'm trying to see how many tanks will fit in my house before the wife loses it.

04/28/2007, 02:25 AM	#16
cyclops23 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, WI Posts: 613	i use the bulbs melev recommended. they are great. they kick the crap out of the other bulbs i used before them. all of my macro algae has at least doubled(most cases, tripled) their growth rates. don't think i don't have much for macro, either. i have a lot of cheato, some caulerpa(can't seem to get it all out), halimeda, razor, and some fern like stuff that came on the rock. since i put in the bulbs melev said worked(5100K), the growth has been spectacular and my excess nutrients have been nil. HTH.

04/28/2007, 02:26 AM	#17
cyclops23 Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, WI Posts: 613	BTW, i have mine on 24 hours( 2 bulbs over the fuge on 12 hours, 1 bulb over the sump, on 12 hours). ph 8.1