sump/refugium

saltydude · 04/06/2009, 10:11 AM

I want to turn my sump into a refugium. I do not however want to put sand in it. Will just macro algae work? What wattage light do I need?
Any suggestions and questions are appreciated.

kraze3 · 04/06/2009, 11:29 AM

Just some cheato will work fine. I am using the bulb at the bottom of this thread works great
http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html

I have also used this bulb.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100527329

corbett_n · 04/06/2009, 02:04 PM

mine is rock and cheato and grows like crazy. That macro algae has saved my tank.

saltydude · 04/06/2009, 02:06 PM

So I should put a little rock in there as well?

Rich D · 04/06/2009, 02:13 PM

sand is a little more work. I would suggest using cheato and some live rock. any kind of workshop lamp should work well. If possible, allow the cheato at least a 6 hour lights off time period

saltydude · 04/06/2009, 02:53 PM

I can put it on the same cycle as my tank lights. They are on 12 hours a day. I hear it is better to have your ref lights on the opposite cycle as your main tank lights, but I also hear it doesnt matter.

akeating · 04/06/2009, 03:46 PM

I believe it is probably better to have the fuge lights on opposite of the DT lights because it helps keep more of a stable PH level, someone correct me if I'm wrong

saltydude · 04/06/2009, 03:53 PM

I think you may be right akeating. I read that more then once. PH is important so thats a good idea.

zenzence · 04/06/2009, 04:01 PM

Lowes also has fluorescent bulbs with K values on box. Found a 14 watt bulb equal to 60 watt blub at 6500k. Cheato grows like crazy

Reefn'_Dude · 04/06/2009, 04:05 PM

The advantages of the reverse light cycle are as follows:

- The growth of algae regulates and buffers PH
- The growth of algae increases oxygen redox potential
- The growth of algae increases available oxygen in the water and reduces CO2 concentration
-The growth of algae removes nitrates, phosphates and some metals

All this in mind, with the lights on reverse of the display, the conditions at night are allowed to improve due to the growth of the algae, allowing time for the fish and other creatures to reap the benefits as well while not in the stress of day lit life.

saltydude · 04/06/2009, 04:18 PM

I will have to set up a differant timer to keep it on that schedule.

luther1200 · 04/06/2009, 05:24 PM

I put my fuge on a reverse schedule, and think it has helped dramaticaly.

saltydude · 04/06/2009, 08:28 PM

I have done away with my skimmer and am ready to turn sump into refugium.

04/06/2009, 10:11 AM	#1
saltydude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 312	sump/refugium I want to turn my sump into a refugium. I do not however want to put sand in it. Will just macro algae work? What wattage light do I need? Any suggestions and questions are appreciated.

04/06/2009, 02:13 PM	#5
Rich D Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CT Posts: 828	sand is a little more work. I would suggest using cheato and some live rock. any kind of workshop lamp should work well. If possible, allow the cheato at least a 6 hour lights off time period __________________ “Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don't go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won't laugh at you.” Current Tank Info: 120 display 40 gallon approx. sump

04/06/2009, 03:46 PM	#7
akeating Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 8	light cycle I believe it is probably better to have the fuge lights on opposite of the DT lights because it helps keep more of a stable PH level, someone correct me if I'm wrong

04/06/2009, 04:01 PM	#9
zenzence Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 373	Lowes also has fluorescent bulbs with K values on box. Found a 14 watt bulb equal to 60 watt blub at 6500k. Cheato grows like crazy __________________ zen x 2 Current Tank Info: 75 Innovative Marine /mixed Reef

04/06/2009, 04:05 PM	#10
Reefn'_Dude Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 40	The advantages of the reverse light cycle are as follows: - The growth of algae regulates and buffers PH - The growth of algae increases oxygen redox potential - The growth of algae increases available oxygen in the water and reduces CO2 concentration -The growth of algae removes nitrates, phosphates and some metals All this in mind, with the lights on reverse of the display, the conditions at night are allowed to improve due to the growth of the algae, allowing time for the fish and other creatures to reap the benefits as well while not in the stress of day lit life. __________________ Explore, Create, Learn, Expand Current Tank Info: Currently building a 55 gallon system with Fuge and Display

04/06/2009, 11:29 AM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	Just some cheato will work fine. I am using the bulb at the bottom of this thread works great http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html I have also used this bulb. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100527329

04/06/2009, 02:04 PM	#3
corbett_n Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,271	mine is rock and cheato and grows like crazy. That macro algae has saved my tank.

04/06/2009, 02:06 PM	#4
saltydude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 312	So I should put a little rock in there as well?

04/06/2009, 02:53 PM	#6
saltydude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 312	I can put it on the same cycle as my tank lights. They are on 12 hours a day. I hear it is better to have your ref lights on the opposite cycle as your main tank lights, but I also hear it doesnt matter.

04/06/2009, 03:53 PM	#8
saltydude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 312	I think you may be right akeating. I read that more then once. PH is important so thats a good idea.

04/06/2009, 04:18 PM	#11
saltydude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 312	I will have to set up a differant timer to keep it on that schedule.

04/06/2009, 05:24 PM	#12
luther1200 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ, shore Posts: 4,376	I put my fuge on a reverse schedule, and think it has helped dramaticaly. __________________ Matt, 65G reef tank Current Tank Info: 65g reef, mix of sps, lps, few softies. Hoping to upgrade within the year.

04/06/2009, 08:28 PM	#13
saltydude Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 312	I have done away with my skimmer and am ready to turn sump into refugium.