RDP does not work.....

[kdlbem]

Hey everyone,
Just a note to let you know, don't even waste your time with running your refugium lights reverse from the main tank. I tried it, and was just about ready to start running it to the main tank(still waiting for the nitrates to completely zero out, they are still about 5 ppm), when...... Boom! The lights came on the night before last, and some of the macro had gone sexual. I couldn't see two inches into the tank. Thank goodness it wasn't connected to the main tank yet I dug out the old mag 350 and put some carbon in it, the refugium is nearly clear again.
Just wanted to share the experience, in case anyone was considering a reverse light schedule to save electricity........ it's definately not worth it. Just run 'em all the time.
Bobby

 

[nm reef]

Thats not the first time I've seen somebody mention the exact same situation....thats the primary reason I run the lighting over my refugium 24/7 and have since the day I set it up. I do get some macros go sexual...but normally its only a few small piecies at a time...daily I remove a little that is turning white/clear. I'd be afraid of all of it going at once...which seems to happen on reverse lighting schedules. You did the right thing with the filters to clear it up....hope everything returns to normal soon.

 

[kdlbem]

Hey NM
I asked you about refugium lighting awhile back and you told me you run yours 24/7. I shoulda listened to the shark I always have had to learn everything the hard way. But it didn't all go, just one piece
ALL BOW TO THE MIGHTY SHARKS!!!
Peace,
Bobby

 

[blondenaso1]

I just setup my fuge and have running it on reverse. Should I run it all day? My main concern was for the pods. I figured that since most of them are nocturnal then it would be important to give them a night cycle as well to flourish. I just added my macros today so what should I do. The guy at the LFS runs his on reverse cause he also uses his fuge to grow coral frags so they need a night. Also, what type of lighting do you guys have on it. Right now I only have a 20watt 50/50 should I add more?

 

[kdlbem]

I have run my lights non-stop since the little problem two days ago, and there's pods and worms everywhere. I've heard from others it doesn't affect them to run 24 hour light. I was just trying to save electricity.
I have 78 watts on a 20 gal refugium.
Bobby

 

[nm reef]

I run 6x40 watts of NO flouresents....my refugium is in a room behind my display so lighting 24/7 is no problem for me. It does make sense that pods etc. would need/require a night period to flourish....and guess what...each night my reef is dark....and if the pods etc. want/need darkness they can and do migrate on over to the dark side.....
Sometimes its not practical to light the refugium 24/7...and some refugiums are on a reverse lighting schedule with no problems. The set-up I use has been effective...but there are alternatives.