New DIY Fuge Lighting

phillybean · #1 01-20-2009, 10:24 PM

Recently upgraded my tank lighting to 250 watt from 175. Had brand new XM 10k bulbs kicking around so I figured I'd put them to use. I tried to put both of them on but just wasn't able to make space. Once I re-do my plumbing I will add the second one.

I should be able to grow Cheato a big faster now eh...

Phanman · #2 01-20-2009, 10:29 PM

well it will definitely grow faster, lol. But do you think the power consumption is worth it then going with a reg 60w bulb or something along those lines?

JDigital · #3 01-20-2009, 10:32 PM

i might do this with my 175W mh if I can't sell it! LOL No reflector eh?

brizzo · #4 01-20-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillybean

I should be able to grow Cheato a big faster now eh...

May as well put some frags in there :P

mark · #5 01-20-2009, 10:57 PM

might be a little overkill (I'm getting a good Chaeto crop from a 20g just with a 23W CF).

Okguy · #6 01-20-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark

might be a little overkill (I'm getting a good Chaeto crop from a 20g just with a 23W CF).

+1

Most algae grows best in the 6500k range and lower. You might actually inhibit growth with that kind of lighting. Be a good place for frags though

phillybean · #7 01-21-2009, 12:12 AM

Heh, I had a 10k Fresh Water Grow Light on there before. Tank has been running with Cheato since June and I have never pruned it. I'm gonna grow Xenia in there in the future as well. Lost my colony when my Nitrates spiked

saltynuts · #8 01-21-2009, 12:19 AM

what about heat?
fuge light on all night then more heat in the day!

phillybean · #9 01-21-2009, 06:17 AM

I never really had a problem with heat. The hottest my tank has ever got was 82.5 and that was when it was +35 outside with MH on. After that I ran a room fan pointing at the sump with the stand doors open and it never went past 82 again.

It is in a small room though, so if needed I can add a small air conditioner to bring the temp down. Maybe I could even run that off my ACJr

phillybean · #10 01-21-2009, 01:22 PM

So after the first night, everything went well. I made some AWESOME tinfoil reflectors (real reflectors will happen someday). I did notice however that the pH dropped quite a bit. From 8.4 in the day to 8.1. Still more than acceptable, if not better, however it has never dropped so low overnight before. I would have thought it would have been the opposite. Any thoughts?