Can anyone recommend a particular fluorecent tube for use on a macroalgae tank? I currently have Ulva lactuca, Chondrus crispus, and Chaetamorpha spp.

Currently, I have the plain-jane bulbs that came with the canopy. They're about 8 months old now, and I'd like to replace them with ones that are in the spectrum better suited to macroalgage - but I don't know what that range is.

Any suggestions?


Thanks,

RAS

Any bulb will be fine really, as long as you have enough and if you like the appearance of the color temp.

That's about all.
Unless you have deep obscure macro, it's not likely to be an issue and even those can adapt well.

Regards,
Tom Barr

I found an action spectrum measured for Ulva lactuca, which looks pretty much as the action spectrum of any green plant:
http://i115srv.vu-wien.ac.at/uv/acti...tosyn_ulva.gif

I've calculated the PUR-efficiency for a (very) similiar photosynhtesis action spectra for a couple of bulbs here:
http://www.defblog.se/permalink/1402.html

The higher value the better the bulb hits inside the action spectrum and thus trigger photosynthesis the most.

Hint: Tri-phosphorus bulbs often have very good action spectrum conformity yielding high PUR-efficiency..

I'll second that last statement ! Something in a tri-phosphor bulb would produce very good results The combination of the Tritons, and Blue Moon reef lights worked GREAT on a 1 to 1 ratio at appx. 3 - 4 WPG any good Tri-phosphor bulb combined W/ a blue spectrum above actinic at appx. 465 nm was optimum. HTH. Prof M