What's a good LED bulb to grow algae such as chaeto in a refugium? Would a 6,000K par 38 bulb work or 12,000K? Does it need to be a white bulb only or combined with blue? Just wondering what's better. What bulb or LEDs do you use for your refugium?
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As long as the white has a nice 450nm spike you dont need the blue. If you stick with the Cree Cool White you'll be fine. The better PAR 38s use the Cree XR-E Q4 Cool White.
I have found over the years that chaeto likes a more "yellow" spectrum in the 5,000-6,500k range. So a PAR38 from Home Depot or Lowes should be just fine. I am using a 125w CFL grow light on mine and I give away or just throw out about a gallon bag worth of chaeto every 2 weeks.