Refugium Lighting

NS Mike D · 05/11/2015, 03:59 PM

Run 24hrs or only when display tank's are off. I have LEDs so not concerned with electric use or heat.

Does the life in my refugium need a break or can the macro algae (and the critters) do ok road the clock.

So far (about 6 weeks with the refugium) it's gong well. Ammonia/Nitrates/Nitrites/Phosphates are all zero on weekly water testing.

Scorpius · 05/11/2015, 04:01 PM

I run a reverse photoperiod. Fuge lights on when main tank lights go off. Some run their fuge lights 24/7, but either way will work. Running your fuge at night will help with ph drop though only a tiny amount unless your fuge is ginormous.

hotelbravo · 05/11/2015, 04:42 PM

Ive been wondering this myself. I have seen a decline in health of my macro and I have recently increased the length of time the fuge light is on. It may be a coincidence or it may not be but I am concerned and looking for answers

andrek787 · 05/11/2015, 04:55 PM

I have caulpera in my fuge, so I have to keep the lights 24/7 to prevent it from going sexual. In my opinion, it pays to keep the lights on 24/7 rather than the reverse photoperiod since macro get more energy to grow and absorb nutrients.

Just make sure your fuge led fixture can take running continuously. I built mine from currentUSA strips and it didn't last long. Broke down and ordered a kessil amazon sun after seeing the brs clown harem tank on youtube.

hotelbravo · 05/11/2015, 04:57 PM

Would leaving it on 24/7 negatively affect copepod populations and growth? I also have caulerpa and dont know anything about it going "sexual"

whosurcaddie · 05/11/2015, 08:44 PM

You should only run 24/7 if you have caulerpa. Any other macro should be run in reverse photo period. This will keep your PH more stable when the DT lights are out. plants also grow faster when they have a day and night period.

05/11/2015, 03:59 PM	#1
NS Mike D Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 391	Refugium Lighting Run 24hrs or only when display tank's are off. I have LEDs so not concerned with electric use or heat. Does the life in my refugium need a break or can the macro algae (and the critters) do ok road the clock. So far (about 6 weeks with the refugium) it's gong well. Ammonia/Nitrates/Nitrites/Phosphates are all zero on weekly water testing.

05/11/2015, 04:42 PM	#3
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	Ive been wondering this myself. I have seen a decline in health of my macro and I have recently increased the length of time the fuge light is on. It may be a coincidence or it may not be but I am concerned and looking for answers __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

05/11/2015, 04:57 PM	#5
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	Would leaving it on 24/7 negatively affect copepod populations and growth? I also have caulerpa and dont know anything about it going "sexual" __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

05/11/2015, 04:01 PM	#2
Scorpius Stick Head Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 1,208	I run a reverse photoperiod. Fuge lights on when main tank lights go off. Some run their fuge lights 24/7, but either way will work. Running your fuge at night will help with ph drop though only a tiny amount unless your fuge is ginormous.

05/11/2015, 04:55 PM	#4
andrek787 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 378	I have caulpera in my fuge, so I have to keep the lights 24/7 to prevent it from going sexual. In my opinion, it pays to keep the lights on 24/7 rather than the reverse photoperiod since macro get more energy to grow and absorb nutrients. Just make sure your fuge led fixture can take running continuously. I built mine from currentUSA strips and it didn't last long. Broke down and ordered a kessil amazon sun after seeing the brs clown harem tank on youtube.

05/11/2015, 08:44 PM	#6
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	You should only run 24/7 if you have caulerpa. Any other macro should be run in reverse photo period. This will keep your PH more stable when the DT lights are out. plants also grow faster when they have a day and night period.