Best light for cheato growth

iamurri33 · Feb 4, 2016

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?

iamurri33 · Feb 4, 2016

Also I don't have much flow at all in my fuge should I put a little 200gph powerhead back there?

hawkinsrgk · Feb 4, 2016

I get the best results from a Home Depot led 5500k with 1100 lumens

jent · Feb 4, 2016

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.

AllSignsPointToFish · Feb 4, 2016

What are your nitrates and phosphates? Those could also be limiting the Chaetomorpha growth.

iamurri33 · Feb 4, 2016

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

AllSignsPointToFish · Feb 4, 2016

Well, if you don't have any nitrates and phosphates to speak of, the Chaetomorpha won't grow, regardless of light.

iamurri33 · Feb 4, 2016

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

PaReeferJ · Feb 4, 2016

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.

fishroomlady · Feb 4, 2016

some people profess that tumbling promotes growth - however, as someone said, if you don't have nutrients, that could slow it as well

iamurri33 · Feb 4, 2016

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

Bunnee911 · Feb 4, 2016

Mine absolutely would not grow until I started dosing iron.

PaReeferJ · Feb 4, 2016

http://m.homedepot.com/p/Philips-10...immable-LED-Flood-Light-Bulb-435016/205213868
This is the one that I use

mfinn · Feb 4, 2016

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.

AllSignsPointToFish · Feb 4, 2016

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.