refugium light 24/7 or Reverse daylight?

[scubadude]

Im kinda curious of the ill effects of 24/7 lighting on a refugium if there are any? I just setup my Refugium/Sump, of course it would probably increase algae growth which I have a good selection of grape calerpa and feather calerpa in it right now and my nitrates are still a bit high 13ppm. Tank is a 90gal w/ 10gal sump and 20gal refugium, lighting is a 27w PC LOA from HD. Im starting to notice some growth in my algae but I would like to see more so I can start naturally pulling some of those nitrates out of my tank. Im also wondering about the PH offset? as always all inputs appreciated!

[mgk65]

I think that anecdotal evidence has suggested that 24/7 is better to keep the caluerpa from sporulating (going sexual) and spreading spores.

Lighting is whatever lets it grow.

It takes a bit of time for the caluerpa to get going. It tool about 2 weeks for it to acclimate in my system, and since then has grown several inches.

I don't know too much about the ph effects. I only check it every one or two weeks.

mgk

[Aragorn]

I run mine 24/7. In fact I just posted my findings on a different thread. I'm not using my skimmer anymore and my nitrates are undetectable. Even w/ a heavy bio-load. Here's a pic:


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"Remember...Wherever you go...There you are."
Buckaroo Banzai, circa 1978

[reefhead]

this same question was posted to Dr.Ron on Reef Central

he replied by stating that in his own system he let the lights run 24/7 just because it grow better/faster

HTH

joe

[Joaco]

I run mine 24/7. I have tried both options, and agree with Dr. Ron about it.

My algae tanks never crashed, not even when running on RDP. The spores release of caulerpa (sexual reproduction) must depend on other factors other than light exposure IMO. Nutrient depletion, iron deficiency, something in that order I would guess. But since I don't know, I just run my lights 24/7 [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img]

Joaco



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My webpage Updated 28th February 2001

[Joaco]

Here is a link from the ReefCentral archieves about the subject.

I had it bookmarked, so...

Joaco



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My webpage Updated 28th February 2001

[reefland]

Joaco I'd be willing to pay admission into your favorites folder. [img]/ubb/wink.gif[/img]

I am currently running mine 24/7 but plan to do some testing to see if limited darkness (of maybe 4hrs) will change the growth rate.

[Skipper]

Hey, Aragorn. What is that white stuff on top of your dividers in your sump? Foam? What's it's purpose?



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Skipper's Reef

[scubadude]

Thanx every1! I think im gonna try the 24/7 for a while, my nitrates are kinda high and I would like to get them down. There is a post just like this on reefs.org and everyone was saying that 24/7 is NO good on a refugium. well I can see that Aragorn's refug is definately healthy [img]/ubb/biggrin.gif[/img] and who knows maybe one day I will be able to put my skimmer away in the closet and not have to use it again [img]/ubb/cool.gif[/img]



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Rocky

http://www.geocities.com/scubadud3/reef.html

Forget about World Peace.....Visualize Using Your Turn Signal !

[scubadude]

I forgot to say:

WAY TO GO Aragorn.....Nice work!

[SPASSE]

Hi All,

I currently use a 24/7 lighting cycle on my algae filter/refugium and have experienced high growth rates of the macro algae. But I was primarily drawn to this approach because of the evidence that this method helps prevent the macro algae “sexual crash” syndrome.

Here is my sump, illuminated 24/7



However I have also had conversation with others that use algae filtration that definitely seem to get better results with a reverse daylight cycle.

Bottom line is that if you are interested in algae filtration, maybe you should try both methods and determine which on works best for you.

Regards,

Scott

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The definition of an expert is a washed-up drip under pressure.
You can see my reeftank at http://www.homestead.com/spasse/