What Light to Grow Chaeto?

[bigbris1]

As some of you may know, I am currently in the process of setting up my very first sump. I have allotted an area within the sump for a fuge, in which I would like to grow chaeto (part of my reverse photo setup).

I plan on adding some live sand, small pieces of live rock & chaeto. What light do you suggest I run on the sump (while the main display lights are off)?

The plan is to go skimmerless, I already have (relatively) high nutients, high PO4 & nitrates. Once I finally get it up & running, I would like to have a microfauna factory complete with chaeto in this little area of my sump. Any help would be appreciated (as well as chaeto donations!)

 

[Craig]

http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

 

[vanceny]

If you plan on going skimmerless than I would at least put in a dsb or rdsb. As for lights I'm using a compact flourecent found at home depot. Its equivalant to 100 watts and is a daylight bulb. My cheato and caulupera thrive.

I cant find a link to it but its the n:vision brand. They also have bulbs with built in reflectors but I rarely see them in the daylight spectrum at 100 watts. Just get a cheap clamp-on reflector while your there. You're looking for something in the 6000k range.

HTH

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I know I am going to get some schtuffit for this but skimmerless is a bad idea unless you plan on doing lots of water changes. Very frequently.

 

[bigbris1]

http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

Bookmarked.

Thank you. I used his site's sump plans to set up my sump. Spot on Craig, spot on.

 

[OctaviousMonk]

http://www.lightsofamerica.com/sec.htm
I am using one of these that I got from the home depot model #9265. It puts out rediculous light, was dirt cheap (I also got a sale price) plus the bulbs are a nice 6500K spectrum, which works well for plant growth. They have other lower wattage lights that are also in that spectrum in case you don't want anything too bright, like the 9027 model.

 

[bigbris1]

Thanks Ock, I'll go to HD tomorrow to see what they have. So far I'm leaning towards the screw in reflector bulb which should be about $10