light on refugium 24/7: good or bad?

meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Well I am glad to see I am not the only one having issues with posting quotes
It won;t let me post underneath...only above..or in the quote box as Joes is above...and also as Joes is in the other thread where he quoted Bang Guy
What's up with this??????
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
YEA this sucks but to answer your questions i thought you rather be above then underneath and do your really have to ask whats up with this
 
tur4k

tur4k

Member
It depends on what you put in it. I've read that Chaetomorpha should have a dark period. I've read that most Caulerpa should have light 24/7 to keep it from going sexual. I use Chaeto in my fuge and I have the fuge lights on opposite of the lights in my tank.
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tur4k http:///forum/thread/380641/light-on-refugium-24-7-good-or-bad#post_3314184
It depends on what you put in it. I've read that Chaetomorpha should have a dark period. I've read that most Caulerpa should have light 24/7 to keep it from going sexual. I use Chaeto in my fuge and I have the fuge lights on opposite of the lights in my tank.
What little I know about caulerpa makes me believe that a 24/7 lighting routine does not guarantee that caulerpa will not go sexual. The belief that a 24/7 will not cause caulerpa to go sexual is that without darkness the algae cannot go through the Calvin cycle. IMO the best way to keep caulerpa from going sexual is to continually harvest it. In this way you are giving it room to grow in mass as well as making sure you are supplying enough nutrients for its growth
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I'm a fan of having the lighting of the refugium on an opposite light cycle from the DT. There is really no need for a constant 24/7 light cycle on ANYTHING. Think about real life, there is a dark period for everything. Keeping the lighting in the refugium opposite from the DT will help maintain a steady pH as well.
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
What does it mean for caulerpa to go sexual? Is my algea going to start making out with the hermit crab thats in the fuge?
 
florida joe

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Is my algea going to start making out with the hermit crab thats in the fuge?
Quote:
no if that happens it means that your caulerpa will get crabs
 
tur4k

tur4k

Member
It seems to be a common belief that 24/7 lighting will mitigate the risk of Caulerpa going sexual. I have no idea if it's true or not, but I did encounter several articles and posts where people stated as much when I was setting up my fuge. I personally don't care either way since I decided to avoid the issue and use Chaeto on a reverse lighting schedule.
One of many examples on WWM FAQs:
Caulerpa going sexual, and lighting 2/12/04
Howdy.
<Hiya>
I have heard that if Caulerpa in a refugium is lit 24/7, it will not go sexual. Is this correct?
<not exactly... it helps, but does not guarantee against it>
Also, if I lit the refugium 24/7, would this have a negative effect on the pods and other micro fauna I am attempting to produce there? Thanks.
<I think so. Its unnatural if nothing else. And it handicaps your ability to keep other/better macroalgae which will not tolerate 24/7 illumination (only Caulerpa does so). Do consider using Chaetomorpha or Gracilaria in your refugium instead. They are much safer and more stable by far. Anthony>
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Chaeto is far safer to use. I actually have both chaeto and caulerpa in my refugium. I cut back the caulerpa often though to cut down on the risk.
 
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