questions about refugium

[crabbychris]

I have a few questions about my refugium on my 90 gallon reef tank...As of right now I don't have any lighting on it. I have been reading that I could use a flood light bulb and that I should light it 24/7 is this correct? Would a flood light bulb be too bright and in the wrong spectrum?
Also I have a severe breakout of aptasia since I moved the tank across the country. Will peppermint shrimp remedy this problem? Will peppermint shrimp be ok with my fire shrimp?

 

[gatorwpb]

google "refugium lighting" and go to melev's website. you dont want a flood light, you want one of the power compact bulbs from homedepot. some people have it on 24/7 but I prefer it on the opposite schedule of my main tank. Having the photosynthesis occur at the opposite time helps balance the pH so there isnt a drop during the night.
Ive found that peppermint shrimp usually only eat the smaller aptasia and not any large ones. but a fire shrimp will not bother the peppermints. I have 3 peppermints and theyve eaten the few aptasia that I had when a stone crab killed my other peppermints.
Look up joe's juice or use lemonjuice mixed with tank water. Or use kalkwasser mixed with tank water into a paste. These are all options for killing the apt. if the shrimp dont get them all.