Refugium Advise!

Djtonton · Nov 3, 2013

Okay so i have had a reef tank for the past 8 years and never had a refugium. Always ran a very simple setup Display Tank, with Small Tank underneath with skimmer, heater, and return pump.

Well i just picked up this sump which has the room for a refugium my thought is since i have it why not use it. I also made a change where the sumps no longer in the small confined space of the stand!

My Goal is to put some cheto in the refugium part i guess lol

Here is my new setup:

So here are my questions:

1. Will this bulb work?

2. What should the light schedule be for this?

3. Barebottom or Sand? I was gonna go bare bottom for easy cleaning but want opinions.

Any other suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

marvelousone · Nov 3, 2013

what K is that bulb. Needs to be at least 5000k. 6500k is better. with cheato I like reverse lighting of dt. I would go bare bottom also.

Djtonton · Nov 3, 2013

marvelousone said:
what K is that bulb. Needs to be at least 5000k. 6500k is better. with cheato I like reverse lighting of dt. I would go bare bottom also.

I knew the K had to be there Here is the link for the light:

It says Actual Color Temperature (K) 5000

you think that will work ok? I was thinking about doing the off hours of the DT

Should i add any liverock down there? i was thinking about doing that and throwing a little fish in there lol.

And can i keep the heater in that chamber?

Thanks again for your advise!!

Djtonton · Nov 3, 2013

I really dont have alge issues either is there anyway i could just run the light for a few hours or does it need to be on from 2:00am till 2:00pm?

My lights normally run from 2PM to 2AM

trying to save electricity

Reefing Madness · Nov 3, 2013

Ya want to get that light up to 6500k at least for the Macro Algae growth. I wouldn't use that light myself.
I go bare bottom in my sump, makes life alot easier to clean up.
Run your sump light opposite your DT lighting schedule.

Djtonton · Nov 4, 2013

Reefing Madness said:
Ya want to get that light up to 6500k at least for the Macro Algae growth. I wouldn't use that light myself.
I go bare bottom in my sump, makes life alot easier to clean up.
Run your sump light opposite your DT lighting schedule.

ok I was looking at this article Melevsreef.com - Refugium Bulb and it was saying more around 5100k ill have to see if i can get another bulb at home depot closer to 65k

Reefing Madness · Nov 4, 2013

I still use a 5100k lamp, my growth is dismal to say the least. I've even gotta go get a new one.

Djtonton · Nov 4, 2013

ok ill have to see how much the 6100k light costs and see if they have one at Homedepot

Djtonton · Nov 4, 2013

Reefing Madness said:
I still use a 5100k lamp, my growth is dismal to say the least. I've even gotta go get a new one.

do you know if Home depot sells 61k bulbs i couldnt find any

Reefing Madness · Nov 4, 2013

Never heard of a 6100k lamp. I know the've got 6500-6700k Daylighters though.

jedimasterben · Nov 4, 2013

The warmer the white light, the more red it has, the better algae (including macroalgae) grows. If you're looking for great growth, give it several hundred PAR using the warmest light you can find, or use a red/blue LED grow light. You can get some pretty cheap ones on ebay, or DIY one that's better and more reliable.