Refuge lighting Question

About a month ago I made a 10 gal refuge and added culpera and cheato. I was using a CFL 2500k light bulb, but my cheato didnt really look like it was doing all that great so ive changed the lighting to a 75 watt equivalent CFL Daylight spectrum 5500K that I bought at home depot. Anyone have any luck with this type of bulb? Should I have something stronger because this was the brightest I could get at home depot? Any help would be appreciated.

 

I just purchased one of these to save a little cash. I have yet to assemble my fuge though. We will see. It is supposed to work.......at least somewhat.

 

6500k bulbs are the best for plants

 

any fluorescent light can do, or mh but, your issue might just be a lack of nutrients. (nitrates) maybe the mh are to hot for your fuge area!?!?

 

As R34dawn mentioned, check your No3 levels. I was told to buy the 7500 bulbs at HD. Luna

 

Never use soft-white bulbs 2500k - 3500k. You should use 6500k bulbs. I use 23watt (100 watt equivalent) 6500k Sylvania bulbs from Lowes. $5.88 each. Or better yet, go to Walmart. They have a 2pk of GE 6500k 23watt bulbs for $6.97. That price can't be beat.

 

My Nitrates are at 20 ppm, I guess i will try out this 5500k 19watt bulb, unless you all think that the 23 watt 6500k will be a lot more beneficial?

 

My water temp is a steady 80.3 F and the location of my fuge doesnt seem like its too hot, the CFL doestn really put out a lot of heat. My fuge is inside the tank cabinet stand, and the back is open for ventilation. Is the water temp too high?

 

Nope. Mine stays between 79-81. 79 all winter. 80-81 during the summer.

 

If you're already using it, then I'd stay with it (it's not that much different from the 23 watt 6500k bulb). When it comes time to replace it, I'd go for the 6500k bulb (2pk at Walmart).