Best light for cheato growth

iamurri33

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What's the best light for cheato growth. I have a metal light cover with a spiral 5000k mini 14 watt on mine now it is old but I had it on my fuge for about 4 months don't really see any growth changes. Should I go full size bulb? 6500 5000k?
 
Also I don't have much flow at all in my fuge should I put a little 200gph powerhead back there?
 
I use a custom "build my LED" light. It's a bit on the expensive side, but NO regrets. Here is the exact configuration I have:

http://www.bmlcustom.com/custom-report-details?partNo=PS1290S201TASLTATKTATLSAT

If I remember right it is based off one of their fuge lights. I think the only change I may have made is replace one of the 450nm with a 420nm for a bit more spectrum range. I like that it is slightly water resistant, I like the quality feel to it, for my fuge it fits perfectly. If I were to redo it I might replace the white's with something a bit more red (like a 5000k). At the time I was not 100% on what algae I wanted to keep. I tried several kinds but cheato ended up out competing the other species.

If I had the space I would have gotten a kessil purple grow light. But honestly I don't think you can go wrong either way.

I also personally believe that it is worth the extra cost for a light like this....even for a fuge. If you are serious about growing things for nutrient extraction at least.
 
Nitrates are slightly noticable. Not much tho. And the light I bought used with the sump it was an older light. I went with the spiral 6500k 100w1600lumens
 
Well, if you don't have any nitrates and phosphates to speak of, the Chaetomorpha won't grow, regardless of light.
 
Only flow I have it was comes from the over flow. The cheato doesn't move I think the flow is only on the top inch of the water from the water flowing over. Should I put a nano power head in there? Or does it not need flow

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Mine is a Home Depot 5000k led. I run it at night opposite of the DT.
No power head in the sump. You don't need it to tumble. Just reach in once a week and swish it around a bit. I have to remove 75% of mine every 3 weeks. It will fill the whole section of the fuge.

image.jpeg
 
some people profess that tumbling promotes growth - however, as someone said, if you don't have nutrients, that could slow it as well
 
Ok thank you that's what I had the 5000k spiral light but changed to the 6500k spiral. I couldn't find an led one at 6500 or 5000 there they were out I think l Iol
 
Everybody says they have the best bulb there is, so I won't bs you by saying mine is best.
I will say that after trying several over the years, I'm getting the best I've ever had with this bulb and adding some extra flow in my refugium area.


 
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I don't know that I have the best light, but I use a 100W equivalent LED bulb from Lowe's with a 5000K color temperature. Chaetomorpha seems to grow as long as I maintain a small amount of nitrates and phosphates in the tank.
 
I'm using a Kessil A160WE Sun Fish and love it. Set for 6500K. Can be adjusted from 6500 to 9000K.
 
ef2dc58dadacb320620571be49537145.jpg

Made specifically for plant growth. Turned my Chaeto production from consistent to explosive.
 

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