Refugium Lighting

[Achilles]

Hello! Welcome, I see you are a new member.

There are many ways to light your refugium successfully. I myself went down to the states (Bellingham - Home Depot) and purchased the 65 watt LOA fixture. It grows caulerpa like crazy. The bulb is simply a 65 watt compact flourescent, with a reflector in behind it. You could always install a system yourself using a ballast from AlBright lighting. I would pick up the WorkHorse 7 ballast by Fullham. It is a 220 watt electronic ballast, capable of running all types of tubes in different configurations. A metal halide is another exotic way to light your refugium, if your budget is not to constrained, remember that it is the highest quality light aquarists have READILY available to them at this time.

Lighting all depends on the size of your refugium, but IMO it is best to provide the most light you possibly can. Remember that as Caulerpa grows it shadows other caulerpa in the tank, and you want the largest amount of Caulerpa carrying out photosynthesis that you can.

Oh! One more thing, try to stay away from Halogen fixtures as they burn up way to much electricity, and get way to hot. You end up with a light that is a much greater fire hazard, burns to much electricity, and can drastically heat up your tank!

Cheers!

[ 30 May 2002, 13:30: Message edited by: Achilles ]