Refugium Lighting

How much lighting does cheato require? Also, what type of lighting?

 

I have a 65 watt equivalent CF, 6500k GE flood (with reflector) style bulb over my fuge. I think it's this one.

 

I run this You could also use this. They are LEDs so they don't cost much to run and they do not heat up the water at all. I am growing cheato and mangroves. Both are doing very well.

 

I use a 6500k CF spot light bulb from lowe's. I have it in a clamp light and I also have chateo and R. mangroves. I paid about 6 bucks for the bulb.

 

thanks guys i'll check those out. how do you mount the light? (mine if a BOG fuge made from a modded aquaclear 70). also, when do you run the light?

 

I have the same bulb from lowes. I gone through two orders of chaeto and they seem to be dying not sure if its lack of nutrients. I have heard many on this site using same bulb as the lowes bulb having good success. Give it a try its inexpensive.

 

You mean HOB fuge? a BOG fuge means complicated plumbing and inconvienience in the convenience

I prefer to run the lights in reverse of main tank lights when the fuge is under the tank ( this helps to maintain stable PH as the macro in the fuge is then creating oxygen during the night (as the lights are on)

Steve

 

haha sorry! i meant HOB... should i still run reverse lighting?

 

Yes if you don't mind light bleed.

 

Its a good idea to do so IMO
but with an undertank fuge the lamp is often hidden in a cabinet and thus is not a problem

with an HOB fuge - the lamp if running overnight, may affect people (depends on which room the tank is located)
but if you could angle it so that the light was mounted sideways over the fuge and your tank has a dark background so that the light over night is keeping the fish on alert

if not, then running it during the day is also acceptable - just need to make sure your tank has optimum surface movement to allow the CO2 being produced at night to escape efficiently and not build up and drop your PH

Steve