What is the best light to have on a sump/refigium to have macroalgeas growing? I had considered a 175w mh, over the 50g capable sump (probally 30g actual).

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

Ltspd,

Anything from dual Tritons upward.

Some good brighter candidates, no particular order:

1 Iwasaki 6500K 150-watt.

2 Venture 5500K 175-watt.

3 4 URI AquaSun VHO.

Don’t bother worrying about color temperature. 10,000K lamps would be a waste.

A will be upgrading to a MH lamp over my 55 gallon EcoSystem sump in the near future.

Regards,

Scott

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The definition of an expert is a washed-up drip under pressure.
You can see my reeftank at http://www.homestead.com/spasse/

I have consistently used a single $8.00 18 watt NO Plant and Aquarium (from the ole Home Depot) florescent over 10 gal sumps without any problems growing feather and grape caulpra.

Mind you I do light 24/7 on these sumps.

Maybe for a 50 gal I might use two of the 40 watt ones.


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Play Well

[This message has been edited by icemark (edited 01-24-2001).]

Thanks for the info.
I have really been considering the mh's as the light source. I felt I could use old bulbs, ie: 6700k Iwasaki's or similar to run down there. As you said color isnt that improtant.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

Spasse, I just purchased (2)175w ballasts 1 of which will be over the sump (lamp that is). I also posted looking for good used 175w bulbs I can aquire CHEAP. I figure if the color shift is off some it will be no big deal for macro's to grow.
I have a 65w grow bulb over the small sump on my 55 and its about worhtless. I have had no growth what so ever, or at least no noticble growth.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

Go to home depot or lowes and buy a mh there. They are 10-20 bux, and will do just fine for growing macro algaes. I used them to grow plants indoors during my 'experimental' days.

-Perry

I have a question about lighting the sump. I have a 3" sandbed in mine, there's sponges growing and lots of pods. I read that with no light in your sump and a sandbed, it will help the nitrifing bacteria, the good kind, since that bacteria likes darkness. But now I am hearing about lighting the sump. I am confused.

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Jim - GO HOGS GO!
Visit my NEW Reef Page -
http://razorbackfan.topcities.com

Lighting over the sump is needed if you are using the sump as an algae filter. The macroalgae in the sump will need both light and nutrients to grow. This helps to pull the nutrients from the water before it even has a chance to go through nitrification. HTH.



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jImMy

"Watching fate as it flows down the path we have chose"
"...Never thought to question 'Why'?"

pAz LeNcHaNtIn... oh how i wish...

Perry, expermental days [img]/ubb/lol.gif[/img] I went through the expermental years (collage). I will get a 175 mh from the HD, didnt realize it could be that simple.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

So it's better to have a lighted sump?

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Jim - GO HOGS GO!
Visit my NEW Reef Page -
http://razorbackfan.topcities.com

Razorback, I will have LR/LS and grow calurapa, etc so in my case yes I need the light.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

Thank goodness I was out of that stage before I started college. It's taking me long enough as it is![img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

-Perry

Icemark,

I’m not arguing that cheap NO’s won’t work.

But all things being equal, (within limits of course) with enough nutrients, more light = faster growth = more nutrient export via plant bio-mass.

I was using a fixture that contained (2) 36-watt 6500K PC lamps on my 55-gallon EcoSystem filter. But recently, the fixture “fell apart” due to poor design. I replaced it with a fixture containing 2 36” 30-watt Tritons, and the macro algae growth has slowed. I am also lighting 24/7.

Regards,

Scott

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The definition of an expert is a washed-up drip under pressure.
You can see my reeftank at http://www.homestead.com/spasse/

Razorbackfan,

Also the bacteria that accomplishes nitrate reduction also needs anoxic conditions so it will be found in the deeper layers of the sand bed where it is dark regardless.

Also another inch of sand would be helpful. In general, the de-nitrifying capabilities of a deep sand bed really come into there own at 4” and deeper.

Regards,

Scott

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The definition of an expert is a washed-up drip under pressure.
You can see my reeftank at http://www.homestead.com/spasse/

I guess I have a case of the dumba**...is a lighted sump better?

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Jim - GO HOGS GO!
Visit my NEW Reef Page -
http://razorbackfan.topcities.com

Light is needed if you are planning to use your sump as an algae growth tank, or refugium. There are many benefits including pH stabilization, and nutrient removal. If you have the ability, there's no reason not to. If your sump is simply for skimmers, ect. then its really not needed. Its just a different/added method of nutrient removal.

-Perry