Refugium lighting...please help...

[buyitjody]

I have read some posts about lighting a refugium here, but I can't seem to find some of the ones with actual places where I could buy the lights. Next month I will be setting up a refugium attached to a sump. The refugium part will have a footprint of 11" x 13". I am trying to find lighting that will be sufficient to grow the red algae called tang heaven red at ipsf.com. I am having a problem finding something that is not so big that it overlaps excessively over the sump part. Don't really want to promote algae growth in the sump part.
I was looking at the clamp light by JBJ that has a 50/50 power compact in it of 18watts. I just wasn't sure if this wattage was high enough. Also, it would be nice to have something where I could just run up to a store nearby to replace the bulb. It doesn't have to look nice...it just has to do it's job...after all, it will be hidden under the cabinet.
Thanks!
Jody

 

[bang guy]

Home Depot sells a Lights of America PC light that will work well in the conditions you describe. There are two sizes. A 27 watt that is about 8" X 11" and a 65 watt that's about 9" X 13". I'll get the exact dimentions for you if you're interested. They sell for about $30. I've seen the 65 watt at Walmart for $25.
The are not pretty but they have a decent reflector, they're cheap, and the light color is fine (6500K) for Caulerpa. They are both extremely bright.
Guy

 

[buyitjody]

Do you happen to know what area of Home Depot they are in? I was in the light bulb section and did see their Bright Stix that I believe someone mentioned in a different post. They are too long for my needs. Your idea sounds great. Again, maybe I was in the wrong area, but I didn't see any power compact set-ups, just bulbs.
I'll go back and look again though. For my setup, do you think 27watts or 65 watts would be best?
Thanks Bang Guy.....right size at the right price!

 

[bang guy]

I wish I knew the preferences of Tang Heaven, unfortunately I do not. maybe someone with that insight can help, or post another thread asking about Tang Heaven
My gut feeling is to go with the 27. I've found them in the Outdoor Lighting section. Refugiums are pretty hostile environments so you'll definately not want an indoor light.
It's a square fixture. The 27 watt version has a light sensor so that's why it's more than the 65 watt. If you can find one without the sensor you'll probably pay less. I have to cover it up with tape. I also took it apart and drilled holes in the back for ventilation. I think the 65 watt bulbs are hard to find. That may be another good reason to go with the 27 watt version.

 

[glazer]

buyitjody,
I have two Home Depots within a mile of me either way and they both seem to be on different agendas... go figure, one has one thing the other something else. Anyway.. I have seen both the lights that Bang Guy is talking about but NOT at the Home Depots by me. I did see both light fixtures in Menards as well as Lowes.
Any chance you have one of those near you? And as far as my .02 is concerned, I think I would go with the 27 watt fixture as well. The 65 due to it's bulb shape and reflector configuration is some seriously intense light not to even mention the heat the Bang man was talking about!
And finally, I have some of the "tang heaven" macro you are talking about, at least that is what the guy at the LFS called it. I have it under a 6500K PC in my 'fuge and it seems to be doing fine, well so is every other form of algae known to man!....lol

 

[smalltimer]

From what I have heard macro algea, is alge, and it grow best under some nasty light, compared to reef lighting, even regular bulbs will grow macro algea.............if I have heard wrong please let me know

 

[frankl15207]

Tang Heaven requirements, directly from Gerald Heslinga of IPSF:
Hi Frank,
Two 15 w lights over a 10 g tank is better than one for Tang Heaven. We find that the Eclipse twin hoods (with 2x15 watt tubes) work well.
Gerald
In a message dated 2/6/02 4:19:32 AM, you wrote:
<<Hi Gerald
I just received a call from FedEx and the shipment should be here in about an hour and I am looking forward to it. I wanted to check something before I screwed up, rather than after.
Using a 10 gallon tank as a refugium for the Tang Heaven, the site states "low wattage light." The standard light on a 10 gallon tank is a 15 watt. Is this too much light, should it be actinic, or should I put on a lower wattage bulb (5 or 9 watt?).
Thank you in advance.
In addition, the tang heaven red needs to circulate freely. Mine was wiped out by pods and worms and feeding the tang, so it really never grew and propagated, but the amount that came with the 9 pack lasted for a couple of months.
The tang heaven green just grows under those light conditions. I have it growing on my powerheads at the upper part of the tank (somehow something escapes from the refugium and seeds itself there). It is easy to remove and control and my yellow tang won't go above the halfway point of the tank, so it has a chance to grow a little there before I move it down on a clip for feeding. I also pass some along to my LFS on a regular basis so he can treat the stock.

 

[buyitjody]

Thanks guys!
Frank....I appreciate you passing on your info about the tang heaven. My tangs love it, so I decided that once I have the refugium set up, I will toss some in and try to grow it. I guess if that doesn't work, I'll just have to buy it periodically.
Sounds like the 27 watt wins. I'll have to try and find it. I do have a lowes nearby, so I will try there for the light.
Thanks again...
Jody

 

[bang guy]

Just so you know what to look for, the 27 watt bulb is a quad tube |||| with a square pin configuration ::
Look for outdoor lighting HTH
Guy