Opposite light cycle for refugium ?

dlish89 · 02/05/2006, 08:23 PM

I'm sorry for the post as I know it has been discussed before, but I cannot find it. My question is why would you run a opposite light cycle for the refugium? I'm thinking its easier just to throw the refugium light on the timer with the rest of the tank lights, but I'm sure there's a reason people run the opposite of each other. Input please. Thanks

jpfelix · 02/05/2006, 08:29 PM

it's not your fault you can't search. don't be sorry.

the opposite light cycle can help to keep your ph stable 24hrs. photosynthetic organisms release co2, but when exposed to light they use more than they release. if your macro is lit then it will offset the co2 in your maintank. the opposite will happen when your tank lights come on.

szwab · 02/05/2006, 10:57 PM

that pretty much sums it up

Shoestring Reefer · 02/05/2006, 10:59 PM

Yup, BUT if you have caulerpa, you're better off leaving the fuge lights on 24/7 to prevent it from going sexual.

mg426 · 02/05/2006, 11:56 PM

All the above advice is very sound and very correct

stewie24 · 02/06/2006, 12:08 AM

Some people also choose to leave their lights on 24/7 just to help the macro algaes grow.
Stewie

Shelbster · 02/06/2006, 05:56 AM

Could someone explain what it is for calurpa going sexual? In other words, what does it do exactly?

colettem · 02/06/2006, 08:53 AM

The algae suddenly decides to spawn releasing huge amounts of toxic gunk into the tank tat can cause your whole system to crash.

Pandora · 02/06/2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shelbster
Could someone explain what it is for calurpa going sexual? In other words, what does it do exactly?

It means it is sporulating. Most plants have an asexual & a sexual phase; the idea is that the 24 hour lights will decrease the chances of it going into the sexual phase, in theory because this usually happens at dawn, and the lights suppress this trigger and keep it in a vegetative stage. In practice, this just decreases the probability, does not prevent it entirely. When it "goes sexual", the tips turn white or clear, and over a 24 hour period, the entire plant body starts to dissolve into a white, gooey mess that gets released into the tank and can cause a crash. This is a relatively rare event in most tanks (and often managed if you prune back), but some people do not like to take the chance, so they go with chaetomorpha instead.

dc · 02/06/2006, 09:31 AM

I run a reverse, makes a great night light!

I did the 24/7 and my caulerpa still went sexual so I'm not a big believer in that theory. It's a mess, I try to keep it pulled now as soon as I see any signs of it happening. I had my biggest problem with razor. If you see them turning white, it's usually a sign. After that the plants turn to mush and your tank looks like you just dumped sand in it. I usually do a large water change at this time. Haven't had a problem since I switched to prolifera.

02/05/2006, 08:23 PM	#1
dlish89 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Galt , CA Posts: 93	Opposite light cycle for refugium ? I'm sorry for the post as I know it has been discussed before, but I cannot find it. My question is why would you run a opposite light cycle for the refugium? I'm thinking its easier just to throw the refugium light on the timer with the rest of the tank lights, but I'm sure there's a reason people run the opposite of each other. Input please. Thanks

02/05/2006, 10:57 PM	#3
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	that pretty much sums it up __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

02/05/2006, 10:59 PM	#4
Shoestring Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Westerly, RI Posts: 4,989	Yup, BUT if you have caulerpa, you're better off leaving the fuge lights on 24/7 to prevent it from going sexual. __________________ Mike Reefcentral Folding@Home team 37251 - Click my little red house to learn more and help medical science! Current Tank Info: 2, 20-gal low tech tanks

02/05/2006, 11:56 PM	#5
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	All the above advice is very sound and very correct __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

02/06/2006, 09:31 AM	#10
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	I run a reverse, makes a great night light! I did the 24/7 and my caulerpa still went sexual so I'm not a big believer in that theory. It's a mess, I try to keep it pulled now as soon as I see any signs of it happening. I had my biggest problem with razor. If you see them turning white, it's usually a sign. After that the plants turn to mush and your tank looks like you just dumped sand in it. I usually do a large water change at this time. Haven't had a problem since I switched to prolifera. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

02/05/2006, 08:29 PM	#2
jpfelix Moved On Join Date: May 2003 Location: jefferson city, mo Posts: 678	it's not your fault you can't search. don't be sorry. the opposite light cycle can help to keep your ph stable 24hrs. photosynthetic organisms release co2, but when exposed to light they use more than they release. if your macro is lit then it will offset the co2 in your maintank. the opposite will happen when your tank lights come on.

02/06/2006, 12:08 AM	#6
stewie24 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northwestern PA Posts: 824	Some people also choose to leave their lights on 24/7 just to help the macro algaes grow. Stewie

02/06/2006, 05:56 AM	#7
Shelbster Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 10	Could someone explain what it is for calurpa going sexual? In other words, what does it do exactly?

02/06/2006, 08:53 AM	#8
colettem Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 191	The algae suddenly decides to spawn releasing huge amounts of toxic gunk into the tank tat can cause your whole system to crash.