Refugium lighting: 24/7 or RDP - Page 2

PerryinCA · 07/24/2000, 09:40 PM

Sorry this is such late reply Snailman, but yes that would be an excellent idea. Cutting back on circulating CO2 (which the CAR effluent going into the caulerpa tank would do) would allow a higher (more basic) pH. From what I've read, CA reactors can be tough on pH. Not only that, but I'm guessing the caulerpa would grow much faster (increased metabolism=increased nutrient consumption/export). At least its been my experience that photosynthetic plants in a hydroponic environment grow at an extremely accelerated rate. I'm sure that would apply to caulerpa as well. JM .02

-Perry

morty · 07/26/2000, 12:44 PM

Hey RWD - For my 180 gal tank I have a 10 gal tank set up as a scrubber/refugium and I run it in a hybrid between 24/7 and RDP. That is, I have six 15W florescent grow bulbs built in a "cage" around the tank: two above, and two along each long side (About 9-10 watts/gal). The two above the scrubber are on 24/7, and the remaining four come on at night. Thus, the rate of photosynthesis should be greater at night to help stabilize pH, but the fact that the scrubber sees no completely dark period helps with preventing die-off. So far so good -

07/24/2000, 09:40 PM	#26
PerryinCA RC Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: NorCal Posts: 735	Sorry this is such late reply Snailman, but yes that would be an excellent idea. Cutting back on circulating CO2 (which the CAR effluent going into the caulerpa tank would do) would allow a higher (more basic) pH. From what I've read, CA reactors can be tough on pH. Not only that, but I'm guessing the caulerpa would grow much faster (increased metabolism=increased nutrient consumption/export). At least its been my experience that photosynthetic plants in a hydroponic environment grow at an extremely accelerated rate. I'm sure that would apply to caulerpa as well. JM .02 -Perry

07/26/2000, 12:44 PM	#27
morty Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Shorewood, MN Posts: 440	Hey RWD - For my 180 gal tank I have a 10 gal tank set up as a scrubber/refugium and I run it in a hybrid between 24/7 and RDP. That is, I have six 15W florescent grow bulbs built in a "cage" around the tank: two above, and two along each long side (About 9-10 watts/gal). The two above the scrubber are on 24/7, and the remaining four come on at night. Thus, the rate of photosynthesis should be greater at night to help stabilize pH, but the fact that the scrubber sees no completely dark period helps with preventing die-off. So far so good -