refugium light on?

[twitch]

How long should my refugium light be turned on? It gets some natural sun, but I was thinking about adding an additional source? Kind? Power?Thanks.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I run my refugium light 24/7. For years I ran CFL (the type you use around the house) either 60 or 100 watt equivalent. With good success.

A week ago I replaced it with a DIY LED fixture. The algae seems to be growing faster, but it may be a little too soon to tell for sure.

[dputt88]

depends on what macro you are using. if you are using something like cheato that doesnt go sexual, then you are best with 12 hours on/ 12 hours off. this is because for the best algae growth the plants will need a dark period to respire, and with better growth come great nutrient uptake.

when i ran a refugium, i just used regular reflector style light from home depot with a exo terra CFL plant bulb.

if you are growing something like caulerpa in the refugium i've read that its best to run lights on 24/7 to prevent it from going sexual. although i dont know how true this is. one because ive never heard of anyone actually having it happen to them. and two because i have caulerpa in my macro algae cube, its on 12/12 schedule. ive had it turn white and "dissolve" away before, yet never have i had it so up anywhere in the tank.

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:10 PM ----------

oh yeah, and like mentioned above, having it reverse from you display schedule is also recommended to prevent the pH swings that occur when the lights are off.

[Manoj's Reef]

depends on what macro you are using. if you are using something like cheato that doesnt go sexual, then you are best with 12 hours on/ 12 hours off. this is because for the best algae growth the plants will need a dark period to respire, and with better growth come great nutrient uptake.

when i ran a refugium, i just used regular reflector style light from home depot with a exo terra CFL plant bulb.

if you are growing something like caulerpa in the refugium i've read that its best to run lights on 24/7 to prevent it from going sexual. although i dont know how true this is. one because ive never heard of anyone actually having it happen to them. and two because i have caulerpa in my macro algae cube, its on 12/12 schedule. ive had it turn white and "dissolve" away before, yet never have i had it so up anywhere in the tank.

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:10 PM ----------

oh yeah, and like mentioned above, having it reverse from you display schedule is also recommended to prevent the pH swings that occur when the lights are off.

+1
For grape calurpa its imp to have it on 24/7.