Refugium lighting on the cheap

I just setup a 55 gallon (48 inch) barebottom tank specifically to grow macro algae. I don't have any money to spend on this right now but I do have some extra lighting laying around. My options currently are 4 x 40 watt NO daylight in a crappy fixture or 2 x 54 (good reflectors) T5.

So for the time being which would be my best option?

My eventual goal would be to grow other interesting macros just for the heck of it. I plan to eventually use 4x54 t5 lighting, does that seem about right for most ornamental macro?

My fuge has a regular old shop light reflector with a power compact bulb (6500k daylight). Its decent enough light to keep the chaeto going. For a 55 gal, maybe a second would be needed.

As for yours, I'd think you'd be fine either fixture. The T5 would certainly be the better of the two... but you could use that for a soft coral frag tank

Quote:

Originally Posted by gweston



My fuge has a regular old shop light reflector with a power compact bulb (6500k daylight). Its decent enough light to keep the chaeto going. For a 55 gal, maybe a second would be needed.

I have the same and my cheato grows great. $7 clip on socket/reflector from any hardware store and $4 for the bulb. Cant get much cheaper than that.

I use a couple of clamp-lights from Home Depot for mine. Inside I put a couple of those eco-bulbs that last forever. Two years so far and haven't needed to replace them.