Algae Lighting?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by jjonesrjc, Nov 28, 2011.

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  1. jjonesrjc

    jjonesrjc Plankton

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
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    3
    I recently added Chaeto to my 10g fuge/sump and am wondering if the lighting I had in place for my cabinet will sufficiently light the macro. The fixture is a 2x24w t5ho with two 10k bulbs. The fixture is mounted about 16" about the 10g tank and I have a clear plexiglass top on the fuge/sump as I have had some splashing issues. Will this lighting work or do I need to set something up brighter and closer to the top of the tank. I have yet to find a way to avoid having a top on the fuge/sump.
     
    jjonesrjc, Nov 28, 2011
    jjonesrjc, Nov 28, 2011
    #1

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  2. MRK82

    MRK82 Astrea Snail

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    Aug 23, 2011
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    Location:
    North West England
    Sorry I can't help with this querry but I would be very interested in the comments you get back as i am wondering if I have the right amount of light in my fuge.
     
    MRK82, Nov 28, 2011
    MRK82, Nov 28, 2011
    #2
  3. jjonesrjc

    jjonesrjc Plankton

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    Bump
     
    jjonesrjc, Nov 29, 2011
    jjonesrjc, Nov 29, 2011
    #3
  4. gabbyr189

    gabbyr189 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    Philadelphia
    It splashes 16" above the tank? Wow thats high, what kind of stuff/equipment do you have in there? Chaeto doesn't need much to grow. I have a clamp on light from home depot with one of those spiral energy saver bulbs on my sump and I have excessive chaeto growth. It grows fast enough that break it off and throw it over my fire escape into the grass. I have red bugs or else I would give it away lol. Idk if this helps, just a comparison! Maybe you should just wait to see if it grows. If it doesnt then its either the lighting or perfect params lol. I know it needs both nitrate and phosphate to grow, i've heard iron as well (but hardly anyone supplements these).
     
    gabbyr189, Nov 30, 2011
    gabbyr189, Nov 30, 2011
    #4
  5. jjonesrjc

    jjonesrjc Plankton

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    I worded it wrong the water doesn't splash 16". The water was splashing enough and leaving salt creep everywhere that I finally had to cover my fuge/sump with a plexiglass top. The fixture is mounter 16" to the top inside of my stand as I do not have room to clip a fixture on the side of the tank for the cheato.
     
    jjonesrjc, Nov 30, 2011
    jjonesrjc, Nov 30, 2011
    #5
  6. gabbyr189

    gabbyr189 Bubble Tip Anemone

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    666
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Maybe a clear mesh top or egg crate? They will let more light through and they should reduce splashing but not totally block it. Hey we all have salt creep ;) lol. I think it should be fine as is, just keep an eye on it and adjust if necessary. Chaeto doesn't need much.

    Btw - I recently started a 24 hour light cycle on my sump/fuge and the chaeto and all the other algae are exploding. It reduced my nitrates to 0 finally.
     
    gabbyr189, Nov 30, 2011
    gabbyr189, Nov 30, 2011
    #6