Refugium Lighting

[nrosdal]

i have this





70 watt led

only had it on since Saturday and i swear i am noticing huge changes already(might all be in my head). Switched out from a 42watt cfl @ 6500k which was not allowing macros to grow and giving my slow cheato/mangrove growth.

it will need some time before i can say anything for sure but the red macro went from little pieces laying on the sand to standing up looking better between saturday and mon.

[Jason McK]

I'm trying to justify in my head getting this

http://www.reefbreeders.com/fuge-lite_leds.html

When I know I just need a$10 clamp light from HD

[reefgirl189]

Originally Posted by Jason McK

I'm trying to justify in my head getting this

http://www.reefbreeders.com/fuge-lite_leds.html

When I know I just need a$10 clamp light from HD

It's a nice light. I noticed in the text on that page that they condemn CFL because apparently the bulbs need replacement every 3 months. Does anyone follow this guideline? Mine is about 4 months old and I have not even considered replacing it yet, it seems to work just fine and the algae grows well.

[jason604]

Is the cfl clamp light from Home Depot still on sale?

[nrosdal]

i think cfl is fine more watts is obviously better(for the most part). My fuge is way better since adding led but it is 70watts of led and if i were to add 125+watts of cfl instead, i bet i would be doing just as good(the water might also boil and i don't think that a cfl that big would fit above my fuge).

But for the most part bigger = better and for cfl 6500k seems best and if you are going led the spectrum does matter just make sure u are mostly red with a bit of blue/white and or orange. I don't know if the violet i have in there helps but i know it doesn't hurt and there are one in my unit so it won't be a big player either way.

[lpsreefer]

Home Depot also has cfl led style lights that work great and don't need to be replaced and at 18 bucks a light it's way cheaper.

[jagermaier]

This is what I use but the 12" version of it.
http://www.jlaquatics.com/product/vt...4+Inch%29.html

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by nrosdal

i have this





70 watt led

only had it on since Saturday and i swear i am noticing huge changes already(might all be in my head). Switched out from a 42watt cfl @ 6500k which was not allowing macros to grow and giving my slow cheato/mangrove growth.

it will need some time before i can say anything for sure but the red macro went from little pieces laying on the sand to standing up looking better between saturday and mon.

What size footprint would you say this could comfortably cover at what height above the tank?

[nrosdal]

Originally Posted by Jaws

What size footprint would you say this could comfortably cover at what height above the tank?

It easily covers my 17"x14" and i have about 7" above. would be confident to say at 9-10 off the top you would get in the range of 22-24"x16".

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by nrosdal

It easily covers my 17"x14" and i have about 7" above. would be confident to say at 9-10 off the top you would get in the range of 22-24"x16".

Thank you. Are you still noticing a big improvement in growth?