Good for a Grow Light - yes no yes no?

reef6414 · Jan 20, 2016

So I picked up a twin 150 watt halogen spot light for my home. I decided to go solar rather than run wire through my attic...

Anyway, I have this light sitting around and was wondering what your thoughts are on using it in my sump and/or a separate frag tank? I know the colors wont be all that pretty, but wondered if it would do the job in growing things out before going under my T5 fixture in my display.

Any thoughts, comments, concerns would be helpful.

Rob.D · Jan 20, 2016

No, it does not produce the correct spectrum for corals.....it would work for macro algae but you can do that with a regular old school screw in bulb.

reef6414 · Jan 20, 2016

are there different bulbs I could throw in there to make it work? Just curious before I take it back to the store. Didn't know if I could get off with a $25 fixture! but as things go in this hobby...$$$

saltyfilmfolks · Jan 20, 2016

No. Im a lighting guy. like for money.
Trade them in for some of the phillips led par 38's...$17 ea usually. they burn at about 48k. Ive seen em do corals.
FWIW i have a 28k and a 56k source in my sump the macro grows great the xenia is happy and the sand palys and mushrooms as well.

Drauka99 · Jan 20, 2016

my fuge light is a clamp on lamp and a 5000k led bulb, forget the actual wattage but it is 120 watt equivalent on the packaging. It grows cheato very well for me and doesn't add a ton of heat to the tank. Some local to me are using horticulture purple/red led screw in bulbs for their fuges and are seeing good results.