not enough light for refugium?

[mos90]

i have a 10g fuge with an 18w cf light over it. my mixed algea is not really growing. kinda just there. im wondering if i need more light.

the light is a 13" 18w cf from cpr for their aquafuge. who knows what the actual output of the light is.

 

[Heathd]

I have two clamp lights with a 60 watt spiral cfl bulb in each and I have zero growth issues. You can get a clamp light from walmart for about 7 bucks and the 10k spiral cfl bulbs for about ~5 bucks each.

 

[mos90]

do u think im underlighted?

 

[mos90]

what would a 18W cf light be equivelent to?

 

[Heathd]

what would a 18W cf light be equivelent to?

18 watts isnt much, thats all I can tell you. It deffinately sounds like you need more light. I have a 30 gallon sump with about 10-12 gallons of volume dedicated to macros, with the lighting I mentioned above. Macros are normally shallow water, and naturally recieve lots of light.

 

[mos90]

I updated the lights I added 2 60w 6500k clip on lights. Much brighter then before. They are actually 13w lights rated at 60w The spiral type.

 

[Heathd]

I updated the lights I added 2 60w 6500k clip on lights. Much brighter then before. They are actually 13w lights rated at 60w The spiral type.

Good deal. I hope they work for you.

 

[mos90]

is it ok to have a current that lightly tumbles the algae?

 

[mos90]

since ive added the extra lights, about 2 weeks, algae had doubled. so that says i didnt have enought light.

 

[johnny roastbeef]

Tumbling the macro is a good idea, it ensures that all of it is receiving light. Just make sure its tumbling gently and not getting roughed up too much, otherwise you will end up with shards of macro in the display tank.