Refugium Lighting

[rdb2060]

I was wondering how many hours a day do you leave your fuge light on? Does it stay on all the time or do you have it off during the day when the main tank lights are on and turn on when the tank lights go off?

 

[SALT]

Mine is on 24/7.

 

[Matthew_sample]

Mine alternates with the main light of the tank

 

[yuki]

24/7 give you a less chance on the macro going sexual. Having it alternate can help soften your PH swings. I run 24/7

 

[Ashlar]

If you don't have any caulerpa, you don't really have to run it 24/7, and can take advantage of the ph buffering.

 

[bimmerzs]

@Ashlar wrote:

Yep.......chaeto actually does <u>much</u> better with a rest period and increased flow to it.(via PH)

 

[melev]

My lights are on from 10 pm to 8 am.

 

[BigJay]

@Marc wrote:

Same here, I'm just wondering if I should add a second light or if one is enough.

 

[melev]

What are the length and width dimensions, Anthony?

 

[rdb2060]

Thanks for all your replies!

 

[BigJay]

@Marc wrote:

Sory this took so long Marc, I finally measured my sump last night while I was cleaning up the salt creep mess that grows up the edges.

My refugium section is 22" long X 16" wide X 14-16" deep.

 

[melev]

Yes, I would put two bulbs over that area. Maybe even consider 3 or 4 down the road. Two should be plenty. I have three over mine, which you'll see tomorrow again.

 

[BigJay]

@Marc wrote:

Thanks for the heads up. On your advice I bought another refugium light, aluminum reflector, and daylight fluorescent bulb this morning.

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There's much more light in there now, and my usual "lights out" PH went up by about .1. I have your caulerpa to the left, and chaeto to the right. Let's see which grows faster in my system, but I think your caulerpa is going to win because it's already sending out runners toward the back.

Here's to lower nitrates!