Sump light suggestions

[melly mel]

Seen a few LED lights at HD and was wonderin if they are ok to use for a refugium. Whats the recommended lighting to grow chaeto?

 

[GDawson]

I've been using one of the HD screw in LED bulbs for mine...7wt total I think. The bulb was around $25-$28 IIRC. The only issue was the intensity....had to mount it at an angle to shine across the surface of the water 'cause it was too bright for the chaeto in a stright top down config. It burned a hole in the middle of the clump.

-Gregory

 

[GDawson]

forgot to say- Yes it works but may not be your best option for good growth.

-Gregory

 

[Coral reefer]

I use a similar bulb. Lower kelvin seems to be better for me. Cfl bulbs work just great too! Cheaper and very similar energy consumption

 

[sfboarders]

I use a 6500 par38 cfl bulb in a clip. Chaeto grows like crazy.

 

[melly mel]

CFL bulbs are those spotlight looking ones right? they have the same power consumption as the led?

 

[Raddogz]

I used under the cabinet strip t-5 lighting since the sump light for is for cleaning the sump or emptying the skimmer cup.

 

[rogue coral]

23 watt compact florescent on a clip mount from home depot about 6 inches above my sump and I pull a good softball size chunk of chaeto out every week

 

[sfboarders]

CFL bulbs are those spotlight looking ones right? they have the same power consumption as the led?

LED is probably less. The CFL bulb uses about 23 watts as mentioned above.

 

[melly mel]

do you all leave your sump lights on 24/7 or do you have it on a alternate with your main lighting? Want to use LEDs to reduce as much wattages from the tank as possible. Just not sure which led to get.

 

[Coral reefer]

I'm about 16-18 hours on. Reverse of dt lights