My next project

[FishinInTheDark]

I'm thinking of turning my 10 gallon tank into a refugium to grow chaeto and pods. (I really want a Mandarin some day.) My problem is that right now I can't afford fancy lighting for it. Will the two 10 watt flourescent lights that I have in my hood be enough to grow chaeto? Also, I'd prefer to only leave the lights on twelve hours per day. Is that doable?

Thanks in advance!

TC,

Conni

[jman785]

Conni,

I don't think your going to have a problem growing Chaeto with those...

Although I'd consider getting some cheap grow bulb or, like a screw in type from Lowes or Home Depot. They seem to work well, and they are cheap!

10-15 watts of light, should be enough for a refugium.

[FishinInTheDark]

Thanks, Jared! Good heads up on the Home Depot bulbs, too. Sometimes I forget that if it isn't sold as an aquarium product for twice its value, it's twice as good!

TC,

Conni

[jman785]

Well any bulb will work for growing algae...it'll grow nuisance algae too, thus why we don't use these on our main tanks...

A grow-bulb will work on a fuge though...so be sure to check them out :)

[jman785]

If they don't have them at Home depot, go to lowes, or some other electrical/lighting supply house. :D

[MikeS]

I have heard of people using the screw-in PC's for fuges....they are cheep and pretty bright....

Mike

[FishinInTheDark]

Actually, that's what I have on there now. At one time, this little 10G was planted, so I had 6700K screw in PCs on there. I can't remember exactly how old they are, so I think I'll replace them with more of the same. Thanks so much to everyone for your input!

TC,

Conni

[jman785]

Yes, that's what I'm referring to, the screw in PC lights or any grow bulb.