Lighting a Fuge

ronald_j

Member
I am about to start my sump and fuge for my 125 FOWLR. I'll be using a 20 long for the fuge along with another 20 long for the sump. I'll connect them by way of a bulkhead. MY QUESTIONS.......... How many watts do I need over the fuge to make it work??? Should I buy a lighting fixture to cover the entire length of the fuge or just a portion of it??? What kind of bulbs do you run???
 

michelle l

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
A refugium doesn't require any light.
Wait...how would algae and live rock survive without light?
 

dea_mt

Member
live rock doesn't require light. if you are trying to take advantage of macro algae a decent light may be needed. i have a 18w jebo odysea in my sump/fuge
 

squidd

Active Member
That depends on the "Goal" of the "Fuge"...
"Fuge" being a generic term for a number of different types of supplemental chambers added to a tank system...
Sump= an additional chamber for increasing water volume and a place to put extraneous equipment out of the main tank (heaters, skimmers, pumps, etc...)
Refugium= a safe chamber or place free of "predators" for the propagation of micro flora and fauna .....(in this case a "pod" refugium could be a dark cryptic zone which would NOT "require" lighting)...if the "Goal" was to grow macros for feeding fish in a predator free environment lighting would be neccessary...
Algal Scrubber Filtration= Differs from fuge in that the main "Goal" is the forced propagation of Macros for the absorption and removal of malnutrients thru export or "harvesting" and would require significant lighting...(pod production ,if any, is a side benefit and not the main focus..)
Not all "Fuge's" are created equal nor are they able to do all things equally well...a "Goal" or purpose needs to be established and then the fuge/refugium/algal scrubber needs to be set up to meet those "requirements"...
Sizeing, Flow rates, lighting (amount and schedual), structure and inhabitants all play a significant role in setting up a successful "fuge"<<<generic term<<< to meet your "Goals"..
 

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by Michelle L
Wait...how would algae and live rock survive without light?
If you want to grow algae in your refugium then yes, it will need light. The Copepods, Amphipods, Mysid Shrimp, etc. don't need any light to thrive in a refugium.
 
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