Does refugium lighting matter?

[Rtam3185]

I was looking around for some lights for my refugium and I was wondering does the amount of watts matter or as long as it is 6500k or under it will do fine? I couldn't find a decent one and I just realized the tank I got for free came with 2 Standard lighting, 13WAtt. I figured I could probably replace the bulb with a 6500 and use that for the lighting instead of purchasing a separate light since they will be replaced by T-5 HO lights. Is this an okay idea?

 

[KathyC]

Many of us use those cheapie hang on lights they sell at Home Depot..the one with the round reflector that clamps on. Add to that the compact fluorescent floodlight..it is only 19 watts to run but puts out 85w and is great for a fuge!

 

[Rtam3185]

Ohh sounds good! Do they sell 6500k bulbs at home depot or do I have to find them at a LFS

 

[KathyC]

The 6500K is for over the tank (for the meantime)?
I highly doubt you'd find that at HD..more likely a LFS.

 

[Rtam3185]

No, I'm going to use 10k for the tank lights. I read somewhere that Macro Algae in the Fuge need 6500k or lower to thrive.

 

[KathyC]

I'd try the CF that I suggested..the brand I have is TCP , box is purple and it says 19w= 85w in yellow on the upper right hand front. I was told it came from Home Depot.
It is marked 'floodlight but the inside of it is a CF bulb.
They work great and use way less energy!

 

[Rtam3185]

Alright I will go to homedepot to check it out. I need some pvc pipes anyhow. The one you were talking about didn't show up on the HD website but something similar did. I'll check it out thanks

 

[crox99]

I believe they are very close to 6500k. They have 3-4 different ones from the same brand but just read on the back what color they are.

 

[Rtam3185]

Alright, there was a 3500k one that I saw online. Might be a bit low though

 

[Killerdrgn]

the hd lights are 5,500K and are in the blue packages marked daylight lamps.

 

[Teddy]

I bought a 6500k bulb from home depot...made by n:vision..

check out melev's reef on refugium bulb: http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

 

[Rtam3185]

Thanks for the site! Great information there. I will definatley look into that bulb.

 

[h20 freak]

What would happen if you put any old incandescent bulb in there?

 

[Rtam3185]

I'm not sure, but I went to Lowes and Home Depot today and picked up a bulb and a clamp on fixture. Total cost was about 15 bucks only! I bought two bulbs one 6500k and one 3100k. (Bought one from Lowes then went to HD and found the 6500k). Which one should I use?


Also, another quick lighting question. I was looking into the Nova Extreme t-5 ho 8x54W lighting. Will the be sufficient enough for my reef tank? ( I plan to host softies and maybe some LPS that require light to moderate lighting)

 

[Killerdrgn]

are you sure it's 6,500 and not 5,500? Pretty sure it's printed right on the bulb.
But anyways for the refugium you should use the 5/6,500k bulb.

for the second question, how big is the tank? for like a 75 or even 90 it should be good enough.

 

[Rtam3185]

Yep I'm sure, it is printed on the bottom of the bulb. I figured 6500k will be the better choice. Going to return the 3100k tomorrow.

As for my tank, it is only a 55g standard size. I forgot how deep it is, tool box is down stairs... too lazy to grab the measuring tape

 

[Killerdrgn]

ok Yeah the 8 bulb fixture might be too large for the tank. The dimensions from the current usa website is 48" x 14" x 2.5". A standard 55g tank is only 12". A 6 or 4 bulb fixture might be enough.

 

[Rtam3185]

Ah, How will the 4x54W fixture be ?

 

[Killerdrgn]

A 4 bulb fixture dimensions is 48" x 7.25" x 2.5". If thats what your asking.

 

[Rtam3185]

I meant how will softies thrive under that light?