Flower's Sump/Fuge Build

[al&burke]

I think you are going to have to put some macro algae in, I had problems with mine not growing at first but once I got better lights and a small power head it grew fine. My nitrates were 2.5 the other day and I am still running a canister. You know what my fuge looks like, I give my cheato all little stir ever now and then and a can see a whole buch of tiny white dots in the DT.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345305
I think you are going to have to put some macro algae in, I had problems with mine not growing at first but once I got better lights and a small power head it grew fine. My nitrates were 2.5 the other day and I am still running a canister. You know what my fuge looks like, I give my cheato all little stir ever now and then and a can see a whole buch of tiny white dots in the DT.

What kind of lights?

 

[al&burke]

I am just using a small flourescent that goes over top, You could just use a clip on, cfl bulds, warm white I think is a good growing kind, I think around 6500K is good for growing macro algaes, I am sure you could search the old threads.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345312
I am just using a small flourescent that goes over top, You could just use a clip on, cfl bulds, warm white I think is a good growing kind, I think around 6500K is good for growing macro algaes, I am sure you could search the old threads.

So what is it? A clip on type with a bulb that says 6500K??? I looked up CFL bulbs...those curly bulbs???? Do you have a picture of your setup?

 

[rslinger]

Yeah the little curly bulbs. I used to use one of them on my fuge, worked great! I think i just went to wal-mart and bout one of there higher watt ones. got a round clip on thing kinda like a mechanic light. The whole thing cost me like ten bucks. It's been a few years though. I got a new computer since then or i would search for pictures for you. I worked really good started out with a softball size chunk and next thing you know i was pulling 2 gallon buckets full out my sump almost weekly. Never had and alge in my main tank, and i had some messing eating big fish. It was a folwr tank. had a puffer couple triggers eel.

 

[al&burke]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345314
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345312
I am just using a small flourescent that goes over top, You could just use a clip on, cfl bulds, warm white I think is a good growing kind, I think around 6500K is good for growing macro algaes, I am sure you could search the old threads.

So what is it? A clip on type with a bulb that says 6500K??? I looked up CFL bulbs...those curly bulbs???? Do you have a picture of your setup?
Here is what I have on my Algae turf scrubber (goldfish tank) The other picture you can see the flourescent strip over my HOB fuge.

 

[al&burke]

Flower - sorry you can buy the CFL Spot light with a sheild or diffusor around it these would be the best. Just google CFL grow spot lights. All you need with this is one of those clamp on holders with the socket. I tried to copy a picture of one of these.

 

[slice]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345318
Just google CFL grow spot lights.
I just did that, clicked on "images" and saw a lot of plants people grow with these that looked strangely familiar....maybe from my college days?...not sure...memory of those times are a bit fuzzy....

 

[al&burke]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slice http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345323
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345318
Just google CFL grow spot lights.
I just did that, clicked on "images" and saw a lot of plants people grow with these that looked strangely familiar....maybe from my college days?...not sure...memory of those times are a bit fuzzy....
You are way to funny Joe.

 

[flower]

I Googled and none of it looks familiar to me. If I go to Home Depot and tell them what I want I'm sure they can help me find such a critter. I really hate the macoalgae it just gets in everything and makes a mess..all cought up on the power heads, floating in the water..I didn't like it at all.

 

[al&burke]

I think you will be able to control it better in this fuge, mine gets away sometimes but my fuge dumps directly into my DT. Now If am am working on anything in the fuge I shut the pump and when I start it up I put my fish net to catch everything big before it goes to the DT. I am sure that Lowes or HD will have something, just remember the wattage will be lower for these CFL spotlights look at the equivalent wattage, I think a 23 watt CFL is equivalent to 125 watt regular bulb.

 

[2quills]

Al, are you talking about one of these?....

They run from about $7-$10 depending on if you get the big one or the small one. I usually see them at home depot and lowes both around the area where all of the extension cords are which is usually clost to the lighting section.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345564
Al, are you talking about one of these?....

They run from about $7-$10 depending on if you get the big one or the small one. I usually see them at home depot and lowes both around the area where all of the extension cords are which is usually clost to the lighting section.

Thats what I'm talking about...do they have 6500w bulbs for them?

 

[2quills]

Here's a 6500k flourescent that lowes sells. I don't recall being able to find them in the store down here at all but they have it on their site for $10...

 

[2quills]

Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345317
Quote:http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345314
Here is what I have on my Algae turf scrubber (goldfish tank) The other picture you can see the flourescent strip over my HOB fuge.
Al, I don't know how much you've looked at those clip on work lights but I'm almost thinking for the price you could make those reflectors work on your turf set up. Just an idea.

 

[al&burke]

Thanks Corey that was an old picture, I got these lights at a hydroponics store, here is my updated stainless steel bowl DIY.

 

[2quills]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Al&Burke http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345595
Thanks Corey that was an old picture, I got these lights at a hydroponics store, here is my updated stainless steel bowl DIY.
Ahhh, yes. I seen that pic over in the scrubbers thread. Appoligies my friend. You're already way ahead of me.

 

[al&burke]

Thanks for watching out for me, originally I should have bought the cfl bulbs with the built in reflectors, thanks buddy

 

[al&burke]

Quote:Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///forum/thread/380517/flower-s-sump-fuge-build/1840#post_3345581
Here's a 6500k flourescent that lowes sells. I don't recall being able to find them in the store down here at all but they have it on their site for $10...

 

[jstdv8]

Flower,
The bulbs Al posted are what alot of people use. WHat I've found is that they don't work good without a refelctor and with a clip on reflector like the ones posted above they overheat.
I've been using them like this for a while now.
The ones Ive been using recently are just exterior lights with the same curly bulb inside, but its protected by the glass casinga nd tehy also have thier own reflectors built into the inside of the glas casing. These don't seem to overheat and it doesnt hurt if they get wet on the glass.
I can't imagine without the use of some sort of macro or reactor that your nitrates are going to change much unless you start doing really good sized frequent water changes instead.