Refugium Lighting - How Long and When?

[Keith A]

I'm currently in the process of turning my 20 gallon sump into a partial refugium.

I picked up a 36 watt power compact light from the hd and it's good to go..

My question is, how much light for the refugium?

The LFS says 24X7..

And I've also heard it should run on the exact opposite photoperiod as the main tank..

Any suggestions?

Thanks..

 

[Anonymous]

Configure the photoperiod to suit your needs and tastes. I don't think there is a right answer. The opposite method is very popular. Personally, that's what I 'd go with. Why illuminate 24x7? Seems wasteful.

 

[reefland]

I use 24x7 and have had no ill effects. Very rapid macro algae growth (non caulerpa species used).

 

[Desolas]

Use what suits you, IMO. If it works for you, then don't fix it.

I've been running my lights 24/7 for the past two years now, and thought I was having "major" growth. Several weeks ago I decided to start running my sump lights reverse of my main tank lights; and the caulerpa and xenia growth in my sump is explosive.

It has had no effects on my Ph, it still stays stable like it did before and is at the same point at the same time each day. But I am noticing a major difference in growth.

I don't have my sump on a timer like my main lights, but it has typically been going like this.

Sump on 6-8pm. Off 8-9am. Main lights on 10 am, off 10 pm.

I run 97w PC over a 20 gallon sump with racemosa, taxifolia, and common xenia plus a decent sized long hair algae patch. The xenia wasn't really growing, it had been in there a few months and no real change. Once I changed the cycle though it split and has started climbing the walls of the sump and is easily twice the size it was. So I know it needs dark.

I think plants need dark, and I'm hearing more people say their caulerpa has gone sexual even running 24/7. Mine has once, pruning seems to be key. Once it over crowds it will go sexual no matter what IMO.

I am not saying one is better than the other for everyone, just in my situation, running reverse lights works better.

 

[danmhippo]

I have run both method before, with similar result. If you have a reliable timer, go with 16/8 for now.

 

[Keith A]

Why put xenia in a sump?

Just wondering..

I have a huge colony in the main tank, so big that I frequently sell frags back to the lfs..

 

[danmhippo]

People have been told xenia helps utilize available nutrient in the tank. I have xenia that do well in high nitrite tanks as well.

 

[Luis]

I used the "opposite photoperiod" (12 hrs) for 8 months then my caulerpa crashed, I did some research and I've read that in nature caulerpa goes sexual and then it crash (it's a seasonal issue), then I got more caulerpa and now I run my lights 24hrs per day for two days and then I turn the lights off for a day or so, I turn them on for a day and i keep it dark for some hours (let say 16hrs) . In short I keep my photoperiods pretty irregular in order to avoid it to crash. I've been doing this for almost 2 years with very good results. remember to keep a dark period because algae need to rest to grow better.

 

[Desolas]

Why put xenia in a sump?

Just wondering..

I have a huge colony in the main tank, so big that I frequently sell frags back to the lfs..

It did it itself. Probably a bit broke off and got sucked into the overflow. I'm not using it for nutrient export on purpose, it just started to grow. Maybe it will export some nutrients as I trim it and throw it out, but it isn't my intention. I have so much in my main tank that if it really is a good nutrient export, I probably don't even need caulerpa in my tank.

I wish the LFS's around Seattle actually gave credit for it. None of them seem interested in doing so, and the one I found that would made it such a small credit it is a waste of my time.

Luis- that's an interesting observation. I think I may give it a shot and see what happens.