light in sump

what about 2 26watt pc flood lights,I just asked my honey she looked unhappy with the mh.I just want to grow mangroves and other good alges.these seeds are starting to root under one pc.would the two be better?whats the deepest sandbed you can have?
 
Ya, those lights would probably work ok.. personally, I like the Coralife Mini lights for sump lights.

I am not sure the limit on how deep you want to go on a refugium. I believe 3"-8" is what is typically considered a DSB, but I think 3" is pushing it. 6" gives you peace of mind that you have enough oxygen free area for anerobic bacteria to form and help remove nitrates.

The depth of the bed (and particle size) are critical to provide the correct conditions. If the sand bed is not deep enough, and the oxygen level does not drop enough, the sand bed will produce nitrite from the nitrate. A disaster. Conversely, if the sand bed is too deep, the entire bottom of the bed can turn anoxic and produce sulphur dioxide. If this happens the affected sand turns black. If this black area is disturbed or sampled it releases the characteristic rotten egg smell. This chemical is of course toxic. However in practice, it is not a problem in a few very small and isolated spots . Larger areas obviously leach enough sulphur dioxide into the water to poison and destroy the rest of the sand bed, and soon afterwards the rest of your livestock.
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I use a little screw in full spectrum 10 watt pc bulb! My mangrove has grown 15 inces in about 60 days and my chaeto has quadroupled in size in 4 months. I think this is enough, and they seem to like it.
 
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