Cheap sump light to grow chaeto?

jda · Oct 31, 2017

I just use a clamp-on and 5500 or 6500k light.

Skimmer and Chaeto do not do the same thing - they are mutually beneficial, not mutually exclusive.

seastar · Oct 31, 2017

cmcoker said:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ARI3HIG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This has been working well in my reefer 250

Excellent! Thanks a ton.

jd371 · Oct 31, 2017

I bought this to use with a diy ATS. The ATS didn't work out like I wanted it to so I scrapped that. I've tried 3 times in the past to grow Chaeto but each time it just died off. A month ago while at the lfs I bought some Chaeto on a whim thinking it was a waste because it never grew in my sump. It exploded with growth, it went from baseball to basketball size in a little over a week. I'm not saying it's just the light because there could be other factors that's helping with the Chaeto. But at just $20 it's worth a shot.
https://www.amazon.com/ACKE-Spectru...+Lights+of+Plants+Veg+Herbs+(SMD+with+Switch)

Here it is with the diy ATS. I removed the ATS and left the light in place.

Reef of Fillory · Oct 31, 2017

4FordFamily said:
What’s a good cheap sump light for chaeto?

Trying to avoid skimmer on the new 170!

Fritzhamer said:
I use this guy:
TaoTronics LED Grow Lights Bulb, Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Plant Lights, Grow Lamp for Hydroponics, Organic Soil, Applicable to Grow Banana, Lemon etc. ( 36W, 3 Bands, FREE E26 Socket ) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HPIPM70/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HkJ9zbX477SXQ

They also make a more full spectrum-ish version which is new. It has pretty good reviews as well.

I second the TaoTronics bulb, it works great and doesn't overheat so far for me.

13 days of growth, very thick dense ball

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HPIPM70/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Idoc · Oct 31, 2017

seastar said:
you have a link to this? I can't seem to find it.

Here's a direct link to website...Mars-Aqua and Mars-Hydro are the same company, just different divisions.

https://www.mars-hydro.com/marshydro-par38-usa.html

LetItReef · Oct 31, 2017

I have this one and works great!
https://www.amazon.com/ACKE-Fixture...01N47QRHV/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

kalare · Oct 31, 2017

Would recommend you guys watch the BRS TV Chaeto episodes. It's on their website under the BRStv investigates section.

Long story short, cheapo lights keep the stuff alive and it grows, but giving it better and more powerful light really makes the chaeto take off.

Cheapest light I would use would probably be the MARS Hyrdo models. 60 bucks on ebay or so.

reefer4816 · Oct 31, 2017

I bought this one. I really like it so far

stevieduk · Nov 1, 2017

just use a cheap white spotlight for cheato. about 6 inches above the plant. reasonable water flow , and it will grow faster than you can believe

beaslbob · Nov 1, 2017

FWIW I got some 13w red blue led grow lights for $13 on ebay. Both worked at first then started flashing on and off. LOL

Ebay now has 53 w same size so will try those. again e26 par38 type bulbs. (screw in with build in reflector)

I also got a ~1ft square 48 watt grow led light. So I put egg crate on top of the sump and just set that on there. Looks really nice but it's only been a couple of days to too early to tell about growth.

my. 02

beaslbob · Nov 1, 2017

FWIW I got some 13w red blue led grow lights for $13 on ebay. Both worked at first then started flashing on and off. LOL

Ebay now has 53 w same size so will try those. again e26 par38 type bulbs. (screw in with build in reflector)

I also got a ~1ft square 48 watt grow led light. So I put egg crate on top of the sump and just set that on there. Looks really nice but it's only been a couple of days to too early to tell about growth.

my. 02

SciGuy2 · Nov 1, 2017

Cheap lighting for growing chaeto? Try a shallow sump sitting in a south window.

A4goulet · Nov 1, 2017

Very happy with this 45w grow light. I wanted something that i could keep just above the water in the sump and have good spread. I have to cut back the hours because im struggling to keep nutrients in the tank. (Roleadro Panel Grow Light Series,45W LED Plant Grow Light with Red Blue Spectrum for Growing&Flowering) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IVQ96KY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xTI-zb7K3YARS

drblakjak55 · Nov 1, 2017

Home Depot Philips 53W LED Flood. 920 lumens. Lasts three months. Softball of growth weekly.
I will add, you folks with zero nitrates and phosphates the chaeto wont grow either

taikss · Nov 4, 2017

Finally bought a better lamp. It’s near perfect 6400k and very bright judging by the sump, but not sure about the height i should put it on. We’ll see the results in a few weeks, as for the last three months it’s grown nada.