A great refugium lightbulb, IMHO!

melev · #1 02/06/2004, 02:20 AM

Hi guys.

For the past year and a half, I've used this bulb to light my refugiums.

About two weeks ago, I switched to a different bulb, that is 5100K and costs $10 at Home Depot. My refugium growth has massively increased, to where I have a block of cheatomorpa and caulerpa in there.

What I like about this bulb is I didn't have to use a reflector any more, because this floodlight-bulb has one internally. No heat issues to cause the ceramic base to overheat, and the plants are thriving.

The first bulb cost me $7, but this one seems so much better. Plus it is very easy to wipe off the floodlight bulb!

Edited on September 3rd:

The 51K lights are available special order from Home Depot.

They only come in single packs and the price I was quoted was $9.42 each + tax.

The model number I was given from the manufacturer and gave to HD was 1P381951K.

I'm assuming the 1P designates a single pack and the 51K is the temp.

HTH

luceneck · #2 02/06/2004, 06:54 AM

Thanks for the idea, looking forward to more!

THE GIMP · #3 02/06/2004, 09:27 AM

I am currently using the lamp you switched from, and my fuge grows slowly. I will try the new one, Thanks for sharing !!!

melev · #4 02/06/2004, 02:26 PM

I think you will be pleasantly surprised. It was really tough for me to get used to the yellow lighting, after having daylight-white for the 1.5 years. But actually, it is less blinding, and the plants did not nosedive as I feared they would.

capescuba · #5 02/06/2004, 02:36 PM

Melev,
Awesome idea. I'm off to get one for my new fuge I'm building. Does it have the color/temp (5100K) on the back as I don't see it in the photo?

How much light/gallon do you use on a fuge?

Thanks,
Dave

melev · #6 02/06/2004, 03:52 PM

No, it doesn't have it listed. I had to call the company that makes them to find out. However, you can clearly see the SKU on the top of the package, and they only sell this one kind by that company. Home Depot has it for sure.

I have one over a 5g refugium that is on this sump:

http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/tank/55sump.html

capescuba · #7 02/06/2004, 05:55 PM

Perfect - Thank you.

BlackGrouper · #8 03/26/2004, 12:10 PM

Marc,
Thanks for sharing. Can you update on how are the lights working for you? I'll be setting my refugium on a divided 30 gallon tank soon. Is one light enough? Thanks

carlosd321 · #9 03/26/2004, 02:39 PM

hey, will this light be ok if you want to put a few inverts in your fuge and live rock??? thanks. if so would solve some space issues. just looked at your sump. why is the skimmer on a stand? is this to keep from getting build up around it? just wondering if this is something i should think about

melev · #10 03/26/2004, 08:11 PM

BlackGrouper, the light is working extremely well, and I'm very happy with it. I've bought another, but I'm thinking I should buy a case of them, to make sure I still have more in case Home Depot decides to stop selling them.

If you find that one isn't enough for your needs, you could put another one. It really depends on dimensions. My refugium is 10x16x12.

Carlos, what type of inverts are you thinking about? Snails, shrimp, crabs, worms, and pods don't care. I never even turn off the light!

carlosd321 · #11 03/26/2004, 08:23 PM

yeah that would about cover it mabye an anemone or two. my stuff is on hold right now anyway i just cracked my sump earlier

melev · #12 03/26/2004, 11:14 PM

No, I would not consider this nearly enough light for an anemone or any other light-loving creature. It is a 19w bulb that puts out 75w, at 5100K.

It is fine for micro-infauna such as the typical clean up crew, and for macro algae growth. I would put the anemone (not two) in the display tank under the proper amount of lighting it needed, where it can be seen and enjoyed.

carlosd321 · #13 03/27/2004, 12:16 AM

got it thanks

magyk74 · #14 03/30/2004, 03:23 PM

How long do you light your refugium/?

carlosd321 · #15 03/30/2004, 03:40 PM

i was told you have to light 24/7 to keep things from going a-sexual

magyk74 · #16 03/30/2004, 04:25 PM

24-7 is a bit much I know they wont go asexual

carlosd321 · #17 03/30/2004, 04:27 PM

hmm gona have to look into that

redpaulhus · #18 03/30/2004, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by magyk74
How long do you light your refugium/?

It depends alot on the species of algae you are growing...

For Cheatomorpha I light my tank about 12 hours, reverse-daylight photoperiod from the main tank. I'd do the same for Gracillaria.

For Caulerpa I would certainly go 24/7 to prevent a crash.

redpaulhus · #19 03/30/2004, 04:50 PM

(oops, almost forgot)

Melev-

Nice light - I'll have to give it a shot (I use the first one you showed on a number of FW planted tanks)... right now I'm using a LoA 65w Flourex on my fuge, with explosive growth... but I have quite a few tanks that I could add a spotlight to (mostly FW)...
Thanks !

magyk74 · #20 03/30/2004, 05:24 PM

I just bought that Light from LOA with 65 watts
How long do you keep it on your fuge
and does it get hot the light that is?

by the way it is a flood light correct?

Ryan · #21 03/30/2004, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by redpaulhus

For Caulerpa I would certainly go 24/7 to prevent a crash.

It won't help without proper pruning (bi-weekly)
Caulerpa is a headache, you'llbe happier with something else if you can find it.

melev · #22 03/30/2004, 06:39 PM

From what I've read here and elsewhere, the LOA fixture needs some vent holes drilled to keep it from overheating in an enclosed area like a stand.

The floodlight I'm using works great. I do keep it on 24/7 because I just didn't bother to put it on a timer. It uses 19w (an hour?) and the plants seem completely unaffected by the continuous light. Matter of fact, I don't know that I want to try turning it off, with the excellent growth I get. I pruned (or fragged) my Cheatomorpha 4 or 5 times in the past month for others, and last night my refugium was a packed brick of Macro algae again!

bigbeatzz · #23 03/30/2004, 11:54 PM

great thread! I saw those daylight bulbs in home depot and wondered if they worked. i'm going to build a big fuge on my next tank and i think I'll be using that LoA fixture. looks like a great item at a cheap price.

I joined reef central a few months ago and let me say...THIS IS AWESOME. i'd like to thank everyone for the great advice. I've learned a ton!

mpdharley · #24 03/31/2004, 09:48 AM

Marc,

How do you think these lights would compare to VHOs? I'm using two 3 foot URI 10k bulbs (95 watts each). My fuge is approx 110 gallons (4x2x2) with a 7" DSB.

My growth is okay, nothing outstanding and nowhere near doubling in a month. The lights are only on for about 10 hours a day though.

melev · #25 03/31/2004, 04:46 PM

If you are using 2x95w lights (what spectrum?) for a total of 190w, you could try to swap them out for 3x19w instead and get 225w of light at 5100K instead!

It'll cost you $33 for the bulbs, and you'll need three sockets which might add up to another $15 (if you use the spring clamp ones I buy) to find out for yourself if it was worth it.

I think it is, because you'll only be consuming 57w an hour with three bulbs. Let us know if you decide to do it, and if you like the results.