Refug Light Duration

[vegasr]

Recenlty setup my first sump with refug. I've been keeping the light above the refug on 24/7. Is this ok? Or should I have some off time?

Thanks

 

[MarcoG]

Most people run the lights reverse of what the tank lights run. When the tank lights are off, the sump light comes on. When the tank lights are on, the sump light is off.

 

[washingtond]

@vegasr wrote:

The only time that you need to keep the fuge lights on 24/7 is when you are using Caulerpra algae. The lights need to be on 24/7 to prevent it from going sexual and releasing toxins into the water. With other types of algae a reverse cycle is OK.

 

[mtraylor]

What I have found with Caulerpra algae is that if you start it on a light cycle.....no matter what it is and you change it at some point. It will most likely go asexual.

 

[washingtond]

@mtraylor wrote:

We have had it in two tanks without any problems. One tank for 10 years and 5 years in the other. The light stays on 24/7 on both.

 

[SumThinhWong]

I've been running calurpa for about 3 years on my 29 and my 72. I run a reverse cycle so it runs about 16 hours a day. I turn the calurpa about 2 weeks and trim to keep it from getting to packed as long as it doesn't get to crowded in the fuge I don't think it will go sexual.

 

[vegasr]

Well I have a very nice bunch of cheato, and a small about of the "fan" calurpa. If I take the calurpa out, would I be ok doing the reverse cycle, or is it too late?

 

[MarcoG]

I have caulerpa and I run the reverse cycle. I've never had it go sexual.

 

[SumThinhWong]

I think calurpa grows faster and since it grows faster it exports more nutrients.