Small refugium with LED

[Saltfishlover]

I just bought a 8w LED grow light (65w equivalent) says 30br with a wave length of 450-600nm . Is this a decent light for chaeto? Only 9" deep.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

660 nm red is the important spectrum.

 

[Saltfishlover]

It's quite purple when on. It's a plant bulb. Not terribly bright at 8w I suppose , but it is not far from the chaeto. Im just wondering if im wasting my time with it. I can't afford an expensive set up.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

It's quite purple when on. It's a plant bulb. Not terribly bright at 8w I suppose , but it is not far from the chaeto. Im just wondering if im wasting my time with it. I can't afford an expensive set up.

It seems with growing chaeto specifically that the light is the isn't the important factor. Some people grow it with any old light where as others get the best light available, but to no avail. Some other factor besides light determines success.

 

[Saltfishlover]

Well nitrates and phosphates are plentiful in my tank lol so maybe this will work. I had a 5500k LED with no luck.

 

[Scrubber_steve]

Well nitrates and phosphates are plentiful in my tank lol so maybe this will work. I had a 5500k LED with no luck.

N & P aren't typically the problem attempting to grow chaeto. I suspect it comes down to having some specific nutrients/ minerals & bacteria available.