Refugium Light

[bpatterson6]

I'm looking for a refugium Light.
I Dont have much Room for a big Light.
and I dont have a lot of money to spend.
My Refugium is only 19"L x 14"W x 20.5"H
and it is literally shoved inside my stand.
I currently have a JBJ 2x 24w Light.
I just need more wattage.
Any help is appreciated.
-Billy

[aqua_obs]

I'm using a LOA 65W PC FL from Home depot. Not particularly pretty light, but it grows macro and is cheap. Also weather resistant. $29

[Jagermeister]

I also have the LOA 65w over the fuge. Grows macro like crazy. I pull out fist fulls about every two weeks.

[gkmartinez]

LOA? And is it a screw type bulb?

[denverhoss]

I use them too! LOA is Lights Of America. They are a 65W 6500K screw-in that require a special ballast that is built into the fixture. Bulbs run about $10-12 at HD, or I got some for about $7.50 mail order. They have smaller wattage ones too.

[bpatterson6]

Do you guys have any pics of what you have running?
Thanks.
-Billy

[pattylt]

Lights of America (http://www.lightsofamerica.com/wl.htm#)
Is this what you are talking about? I am also looking to upgrade my fuge light as the chaeto isn't growing with NO lighting.
Thanks for letting me butt in......:rolleye1:
patty

[DrMilhouse]

I have the same light. They're awesome. Not particularly small, but they're not that big. I have room for it. You can find another use for that JBJ light to make room for it cause this is probably all you'd need.

I think I paid 30 for the fixture. You could probably find it less expensive online. They sell them at home depot.

here'sa link to the light we're talking about:

http://www.lightsofamerica.com/floods.htm

HTH
Mike

[pattylt]

The Kelvin on that one is 4550. The link I found was 6500. Does that make a big difference? The size is definitely alot smaller on your link, DrMilhouse. As long as the Kelvin isn't an issue, I am going to go with that one! Thanks for the info!
patty

[LarryS]

To all you LOA users on your refugiums:

I have a 45 gal display tank with a small regugium 12"Lx10"Wx13"H. In your estimation, is the 65watt overkill, or will the 27watt version do just fine. I'd like to avoid heating problems if the excess wattage is not necessary. Any comments appreciated.

[DrMilhouse]

6500 is the one you'd want. ~6500 is where all that wonderful photosynthesis happens so that's where you'd see more growth and whatnot. I'm not sure, I'm seeing both numbers on the specs for that. I'm seeing the temp at 6500 and the lumens as 4550. I'm not overly smart about this to know the difference, but I have the 9266 from that list and it's going great over my fuge. This is the one I'd read about on here several times.

[DrMilhouse]

I wouldn't say it's overkill at all. I would say that if it was much less I wouldn't be happy. my fuge is basically 1/3 of a 55 gallon tank. That gives an idea for size. It's mounted about 8 inches above the water. It's definitely not an overkill though. I think with any less I wouldn't get growth, actually, I'm thinking of remounting it so it's closer to the water.

HTH
Mike

[pattylt]

Ohhh, you are right... the kelvin is 6500 on your link, DrMilhouse. My bad.
Off to the Depot tomorrow. Hope Greeley has it. Thanks!

[LarryS]

DrMillhouse:

The section for my refugium is only about 7 gallons. Andbecause I have very limited height under the cabinet, I plan on setting the fixture right on the acrylic top of the sump. (1) In your estimation, any risk of melting the acrylic? (2) Does the fixture give off much heat?

[adrinal]

I checked the specs for replacement bulbs on the two units. They both use the same bulbs. I borrowed (ok stole) the work unit type from my pa. It is very nice for working. I think it would be easy to set up a hook or even just a plastic zip you could slip the unit into and out of. That way you can lift the light out and use it while you are projecting :)
I think the cost was the same as well.

[adrinal]

hmm I checked the specs more clearly and the normal unit is rated for "damp" outside environment where as the work light is not... guess that changes things, esp if you are going wthout a top.

[DrMilhouse]

Larry, it's not that hot at all. It's no hotter than any other flourescent bulbs for sure. The cover for it is actually acrylic. It should be fine. It's warm to the touch, but definitely not hot.

the NO builbs I'm overdriving are way warmer than the LOA light

[LarryS]

Thanks Dr. Millhouse for your thoughts. Looks like I will be ordering one of those fixtures. I suppose I'll give the 65 watt a try.

[DrMilhouse]

You're quite welcome. Let me know how you like it once you get it on there. One thing though, this light is not good at all for a display tank, they're quite yellow and would need a lot of actinic to whiten it up.

Mike

[adrinal]

How long will these bulbs be ok for growing macros? Till they burn-out?

[DrMilhouse]

I'm sure they'll go for at least a year, maybe 18 months. Probably till they burn out even, but you might change it because you notice that they don't grow as fast. I haven't heard anything on that though. ???