Sump Lighting

[disco76]

I am wondering what lighting people are using to grow there algae,and what their sucsesses/failures are.I am in the middle of setting mine up and have an Arcadia 11w Pod light but suspect it might not be up to the job.

[Lost Boys]

When i had my setup a few years ago i used a power compact and the algae did grow like a weed, personally it grows under any light i have found.

[Cranners]

It would depend on how big the sump is really and how fast you want to algae to grow. I would suspect that there may be a point when there is too much light and would actually burn the algae - but not sure when that is actually arises (I just assume thats the case).

J

[AlanM]

I found that my algae, though I must admit it was cheato and not in a mud system, grew really well under a daylight power compact. You really want to get something that is somewhere about daylight in terms of spectral output - so the current trend for the 6400K 45/65w energy savers could be something to look at. Nice and cheap to buy and run and gives you ample amounts of light.

[dan-the-man]

The best I've found is a 125w 6400k envirolite - the ultimate chaeto growing lamp!

[pisces]

Just ordered myself a 125w 6400 k Envirolite complete with reflector plate! Wehay! So that's the sump light sorted then. Just need the sump! :laugh:

[ourmanflint]

I found that my algae, though I must admit it was cheato and not in a mud system, grew really well under a daylight power compact. You really want to get something that is somewhere about daylight in terms of spectral output - so the current trend for the 6400K 45/65w energy savers could be something to look at. Nice and cheap to buy and run and gives you ample amounts of light.

Mine arrived today, I think this is the best PAR per watt I've found at this rating, so just need to build one of those DIY reflectors now.

:D

[Haile S]

I use 2 of these 30 watt energy saving SAD lights that are rated at 6500k.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270301528903 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270301528903)

but Ive just bought the 20 watt version as they are 1/3 the price

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270300022502 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270300022502)


I run them about 2-3 inches above the water level for 16 hours a day, they tend to last around 6 months or 2-3 days after I accidently leave them on 24/7.

I harvest my chaeto every two/three weeks and am very happy with the results.

I did quite a lot of research on this when I set up and found this research on melevs reef http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html (http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html)

[dan-the-man]

You really won't be disapointed with the envirolites, good move!

[AlanM]

And if the 125w wasn't enough, unscrew it and screw in a 200w.

No ballasts to change, just as simple as changing a light bulb...

Relative sizes

The 125w is:
14 1/4" (362mm) long including the connector
12 1/2" (318mm) long without the connector
8 3/4" (222mm) long tubes (4 Double Tubes)
3 1/2" (88mm) square at the base

The 200w is:
16" (406mm) long including the connector
14 1/4" (362mm) long without the connector
9 3/4" (248mm) long tubes (6 Double Tubes)
4 1/4" (107mm) square at the base

[tigerryes]

we run two energy savers, just normal household ones 24/7 got the ceiling uplighters from ikea for about £1.50 each and a couple of bulbs, and the cheato is growing like mad.

[daveabbott007]

Anyone using L.E.D's to light up small sumps or HOB Refugiums?