Refugium lighting

How much light do you need for things to really grow and what kind of lighting?

Those bulbs are 19watts. Not very much but I guess the 5100K bulb has done very well for many people growing chaeto (not sure about other macros). I would love to see someone compare growth between the 65watt 6000K floodlight with the 19K 5100k bulb. I have always thought...the more light the better when growing macros. In my fuge, I tried PCs, NOs, and MHs. By far, I got the best growth with a 4200K MH bulb. I now have some macros in full sun and Ive never seen such rapid growth (at least in the chaeto). But....if you can get rapid growth with a 19watt bulb, do it for sure and save some money.  

My problem is the light I have on it is not bright enough so the cyano grows and the macro just sits there. Corey if and when you find those bulbs locally let me know. I'm going to probably go with 2 of them. would regular grow lights work? I guess i don't understand what I really need----HELP

 

Edited by bugzme

Corey, have you seen the thread on RC where Melev does some comparisons between the 2700k and 5100k? The 5100k appears to do much better! Dont know about the 4100k though.

Page 24 talks about it

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&thre adid=313318&perpage=25&pagenumber=24

Edited by BananaTropics

By far, I got the best growth with a 4200K MH bulb.

I don't want to confuse here. I was about to switch to a 5500k bulb before I decided to sell my tank. Most macros grow in shallow water and get light which isn't filtered too much. The sun is about 5,800K. So its my belief that the more intense and closer to 5000-6500k range is best. This is a generalization and there are many species that may prefer bluer, less intense light.

Edited by BananaTropics

Ive never tried the 19watt bulb, but if I were to setup a refugium right now I think id try it. Go to the link I posted above and you'll have more info on that bulb and how to mount it than you'll know what to do with. You'll be in PC spiral heaven! Or you could try the Lights of America 65 watt PC spiral floodlight. But I tried 2 of them and they both stopped working within a month. Or if you really want a high-energy, high-productive refugium...you could go with MH.

All three of the above are available at HD. I bought my MH refugium bulb for $85 (including a 4200K bulb). I was pulling out chaeto left and right. But to be fair, I was also dosing "Plant Fuel" sold at Florida Aqua Farms. Its basically fertilizer minus the nitrates and phosphates. I probably doubled my growth (which means doubled my nutrient export...well maybe)

 

Edited by BananaTropics

I edited my post...look above

I know some people have looked for it and haven't been able to find it. It seems they carry it only occasionally. The reflector it comes with isn't the best since its parabollic and is SUPER bright directly below the bulb (brighter than my 400 watt bulb). Id get some of that reflective material and shape my own reflector.

Yes, it was either 4000k or 4200k. Its one of those small bases (looks like a mini mogul base). If you want to get a different bulb, it would be cheaper to buy the components from hellolights. Id go with a 5500k bulb.

what size refugiums are you guys talking about?