Refugium Lighting

[JWReef]

What is the best type of light for a refugium? How long should the photo period be?

[aquanut92368]

Hello,
A lot of it depends on the set up. My 110 has a converted wet that is my sump as well as refugium. I have a 65 watt Lights Of America fixture over it. I have it on a reverse daylight photo period. The RDP period helps to lessen the Ph swing during the night, basically when the main tank lights are off, the refugium lights are on and vice versa. I also use the LOA light on my basement prop tanks, the sump/refugium there is a 110 gallon poly stock tank. I have seen people using Metal Halides over a sump/refugium as well. A lot depends on what you want to do. If you are just wanting a place for the pod population, I do not think that it would be necessary to light it. Most macros will grow even under NO lighting if that is what you are wanting to do.
I hope that this helps,
Kevin

[JWReef]

I have a 30L main tank, and I am setting up a 10G refugium. The purpose of the refugium would be for pods. I have a Manderin that has just about cleaned up the main tank. I have not decided what to place in the refugium except LS. I have three 15w flourescent lights that I can build a hood for. The main question was do you need reef intensity light such as PC or MH for the refugium?

[Doug1]

for a 10 gal fuge you can use a clampon reflector and one of the 75-100w incandescent gro bulbs. Add a couple algae rocks and some LR rubble and you should have a pod farm in no time
BTW , nice avatar

[Geoff]

i can think of a better way to make a heater than to put a mh on a 10g.

i also have a LOA flourescent on my 45g refugium, unfortunately all i am growing now is my diatom bloom. for growing pods and algae just about anything will work for lighting.

G~

[JWReef]

Thanks for the info.....

[edsiajb]

If you are looking for the LOA 65w lights at Wal-mart, they are not with the other lighting products. They will be on a different aisle in the hardware department where the quartz halogen worklights are stocked (the kind that come with a stand and a wire safety guard). The LOA fixture is sold as an alternative to these quartz halogen lights. I use them on my refugiums with a 24/7 photoperiod and they are great. They make coralline grow like crazy.

[edsiajb]

BTW...if you are looking for this fixture at Wal-Mart, don't ask an employee...they will not have any idea what you are talking about. They will, however, be able to direct you to the hardware department.