Refugium section lightd from the side ?

[TroyClark]

Hello all. I have a home made 55 gallon sump for my 120 DT and I would like to use a cob light on the outside shining in for my refugium section to grow some macro algae. I have equipment above the sump and low clearance so I can't hang it above. Will this still grow the chaeto well as long as I keep the glass clean?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Troy

 

[DaddyFish]

Is the Matrix in the same chamber? In bags or sitting loose?

 

[minus9]

As long as the chaeto gets enough light, it doesn’t matter what direction it comes from.

 

[TroyClark]

Is the Matrix in the same chamber? In bags or sitting loose?

It is in bags layered 2 deep.

 

[New&no clue]

I have an AIO and my lights are on the outside.

 

[Mikedawg]

The Tunze Eco Chic is fully submersible and you can place it anywhere inside sump if that gives you better light coverage

 

[DaddyFish]

As long as the chaeto gets enough light, it doesn’t matter what direction it comes from.

However, it's been my personal experience that lighting from the outside will cause a significantly heavier algae growth on the inside glass/acrylic surface. Most likely from the additional heat.

If you're lighting from outside the chamber, I recommend a 1/4" air gap between the light and chamber surface.

 

[TroyClark]

Well, set it up and after 6 hours on and a fan blowing on it to help cool it, surface temp on back of light max is 101. Without fan the surface temp was 130. Decided to add the fan this morning. Temp of glass behind the light is 3 degrees warmer than rest of sump.