24 Hour Lighting on Refugium???

[Anonymous]

I am also using an Ecosystem setup with the light on round the clock. The caulerpa grew thick once it was established, and I have had not had much of a nuisance algae problem in there, and none at all in the display tank.

The bugs seem to thrive in there in spite of the lack of a dark period. There are quite a few of those nasty aiptasias in the refugium; they seem to like the constant light. Peppermint shrimp keep them from spreading in the display tank.

 

[SteveP]

Keeping lights on 24x7 over the refugium will not prevent the caulerpa from going sexual. It may decrese the frequency, but it won't stop it. Anyway, as long as the cauperpa going sexual doesn't completely "milk" you tank, it's not too much to worry about. Consider it a free feeding of phytoplankton for your clams and other filter feeders.

The skimmer will take care of the rest.

Steve
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[sMARTY]

Thanks Steve, that is the kind of info I am looking for. I was fighting algee outbreaks until I got my RO/DI unit. Now, I only get them after my Calurpa goes Sexual. If I can cut down on the frequency, that should help. Thanks, and keep the info coming.

 

[sMARTY]

I am looking into the Pros and Cons of this.

Now my refug is set up on reverse lighting from my reef. Every time I get good Culerpa growth, it goes sexual, and releases organics back into the system. I have heard that 24 hour lighting keeps Culerpa from going sexual, and am trying to verify that, any help is appreciated. I realize that 24 hour lighting probably isn't the best thing for my pod population in my refug, but I have some Live rock in there that creates some dark places for them. Please respond with pros and cons of the 24 hour lighting method.

 

[Anonymous]

I am using an Ecosystem40 filter, which is a refugium. The light runs 24/7. I have had great culerpa growth.

Downfall, I have gotten some unwanted hair algae growth that has overtaken and smothered part of the culerpa and killed it. So watch out for that. I removed all of the hair algae and the few starnds of culerpa remaining are starting to grow again.
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Cooking message board

 

[sMARTY]

Anyone Else ?