Lighting for Aquafuge

[Jim5]

What is the best lighting fixture for a 24in Aquafuge so I can grow grape Caulerpa. I've seen the Jalli 13 recommended but a single 13 watt light does not seem like a lot. I've also seen the jbj lights recommended but am not sure exactly which one would work as they make a lot of different models. Thanks

 

[squeezix]

I use a 27 wat power quad, but it is an odd shape. I used to use a 27 watt JBJ fixture, and it is EXACTLY the size of an aquafuge 18. I only use these because I had them lying around, if I were to buy lighting, I'd hit home depot and get some lights of america stuff. The caulerpa is not particular as far as spectrum. I keep it lit 24/7, the reason being is that a night period has triggered it to go sexual, IME. The long photoperiod seems to help keep my pH a little more stable.

 

[Reefguide]

Im using a 13w 8800k in my fuge !! caluerpa growing like a mad! feather and grape caulerpa! Then again Im having a cyano prob in the fuge... Its the same 13w fixture used in the hang-on ecosystems...

 

[reefNewbie]

im using a 30 watt 36in fixture with a 50/50 NO bulb, My caulpera is growing like crazy!

 

[Jim5]

Thanks for your responses.

I was looking on the JBJ website http://www.jbjlighting.com and did not see a 27 watt fixture. Maybe it has been discontinued. Is it the clamp on form factor? They do have one which is 19.25" which might work. I saw the hang on ecosystem, but it seemed overpriced in comparison to the CPR. You're right that home depot might be a good idea. (I have to go there anyway to get some painting supplies!) I have had caulerpa in my main tank for a couple of years and have never had it go sexual. I am getting sick of pulling it out of the tank as it likes to take over but if I pull out too much I get a hair algae bloom. I was hoping that by growing it in the refugium I could severely trim it back in the main tank.

Jim

 

[LA-Lawman]

what about a 32w smartlite retro. go get a 10g light strip and retro it with the kit...

 

[disom]

Don't laugh at my post. Well, just snicker a bit.

I have a spare 250w MH ballast and either a 10k or a 65k bulb sitting around my aquarium junk closet. I am currently have a slight nitrate problem and would like to get some Caluerpa growing fast. Will this much light kill the Caluerpa or make it grow extra fast. It's just your basic grape caluerpa. I have some other types of Macro I would throw in as well. I would probably only run the bulb a few hours per day.

The macro in my fuge on my other tank grows ok but not as fast as I would like. I also skim the hell out of the water in this tank. The fuge has some mangroves and Caluerpa sitting under a 65 w pc combo, actinic, 10k bulb. I understand Mangroves can't handle too much light.

I need a quick start for this newer tank fuge. Most of the local pet stores only sell Caluerpa occassionally, otherwise I would just go buy a bunch and smaller fixture.

Thanks,

 

[capnskunk]

Disom - You can use the MH no problem. Except for maybe some heat issues. It depends on where your fuge is located. But dont hesitate to use it, you wont overkill your algae.