Tell Us your Dream Refugium light and we will listen & make it

Discussion in 'Eshopps Inc.' started by eshopps, Nov 19, 2012.

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  1. Jake

    Jake Sea Dragon

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    For those interested, the reasoning behind using only red and blue light is well described in the review article below-

    Carvallo et al. 2011. Light requirements in microalgal photobioreactors: an overview of biophotonic aspects. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 89: 1275 - 1288.

    The authors specifically talk about LEDs too (pg 8-10). The narrow band width emitted by LED lights permits light to be focused in wave lengths best absorbed by chlorophyll a.

    Here is my short summary of important facts in Carvallo et al. 2011.

    Chlorophyll a absorbs light primarily between 450 - 475 (blue) and 630-675 nm (red). Chlorophylls excited by a "blue" photon get "too" excited and need to shed energy as heat/fluorescence before it can begin the photochemical process (electron transport chain and Calvin cycle). Chlorophylls excited by a "red" photon are energized to the ideal level, and can proceed directly to the photochemical process. Even though some energy from blue light is wasted, microalgae growth rates are still increased with low levels of blue light. Microalgae are often grown with "only" 5-10% blue light (I put only because that is very little to us reefers!).
     
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  3. mightyrae

    mightyrae Spaghetti Worm

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    Make the legs adjustable for adjusting the intensity. If a clip on design is used make sure the arm can extend at least 14" to give options on placement. Also make sure the light pivots where the arm connects to the fixture. A splash shield would be important for servicing and controlling salt spray if any. Make sure the fan if any is corrosion resistant for long life.
     
  4. ontop27

    ontop27 Ritteri Anemone

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    I vote for bulb type to keep cost low as possible.. Screen bulb sockets with clamps are like five bucks at home Depot.. Right now I have a tri color white red blue par 38 on my Fuge.. Overkill
     
  5. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    I like the magnet mount idea.
     
  6. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    Why are people suggesting green lights? Plants need blue and red to grow and reflect green so free is useless other than making plants look green. Red light helps for flowering of a plant and blue helps make it grow (all this is for terrestrial plants though so I don't know for sure how it translates to submerged plants.) I would focus mainly on blue and red in equal parts. Maybe 2 blue 2 red and 2 neutral white.
     
  7. eshopps

    eshopps 3reef Sponsor

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    Hello all, how bout we move toward direction of the design ideas? Like Matt mentioned above, the magnet mount idea is good. FYI, a lot of manufactures are moving away the direction of using products with magnet. The main reason is that they go up 200% on pricing for the magnets.

    Instead of the magnet, what if try submersible, just a thought?

    As for the design idea, we like something slick, the panel cover sound like an excellent ideas.
     
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  9. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    Photosensor so that it comes on when it is sufficiently dark. Mounted on the light but with a cord so it can be stickied elsewhere would be ideal, but on the light is good. Then add a 10 minute auto off on button. Those should be cheaper than a timer and get the right results for a sump light. (My tank glows into the sump area when the main light is on, this should keep it off during the day, etc.)
     
  10. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    Why not just make it a 9 or 10 inch strip light with hooks to go over the sump rim. Make it fully submersible and it will be safe there and fit just about every sump without having to pay for a magnet.
     
  11. tattoolew

    tattoolew Sea Dragon

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    I was thinking submersible but then the heat will go right into the tank, a lightweight light with a gooseneck clip-on bracket that could also be screwed into the wooden part of a stand. The bracket could contain the wiring and be adjustable up or down 6" or so and swivel up to 45 degrees or so. I also vote red/blue/white combo.
     
  12. malac0da13

    malac0da13 Torch Coral

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    I wonder what a lit sphere would do in a ball of chaeto? Would it be able to get more direct light onto the chaeto? I don't know how much heat would be transfered though. I know my led light over my tank gives off a pretty good amount of heat. Other traditional grow lights still transfer heat though too.