Refugium light cycle

reeferx

reeferx

Member
How long is everybody keeping their lights on their refugium?
I was just thinking about how they are catching on and how esoteric they used to be. Remember the black & white 'algae scrubber' ads? I think that guy is still running that ad in some mags actually. It sure hasn't changed much either.
Anyway, thinking of the reverse daylight photosynthesis deal, are you guys turning them out at night after the main lights go out? Or are you keeping them on 24/7?
Going by R.D.P., I would think that there would be some benefit, besides saving electricity, to go with the off/on cycle I guess. What do you think?
(Sharks: Broomer, Mr. Salty, you got 'em right?)
 
dburr

dburr

Active Member
Alot of guys run them 24/7 around here.
A hand full run then RDP. I'm one of them.
The lights go on the refug before the lights go out in the main tank, and go off after the lights come on in the main. It will prvent your PH swing.
People will say this will make the macro go sexual by having the photoperiod.
Their are a couple of macro's I've heard that won't go sexual, teacup (the small version) and razor.
The tanks that go 24/7 are to keep the macro on the constant growing stage, preventing it from growing sexual. Grape and some others are notorious for going sexual. IMO I would stay away from these if you want to go RDP.
HTH
 
mr . salty

mr . salty

Active Member
24/7 is the best way to go.This way you avoid the Ph swing,and also avoid the algae going sexual.That meand simply that they release thier spores.This could cause an algae bloom,or cloudy water in your main tank.Plus having them on 24 hours increases the growth rate.So just plug them in and forget abiut it.Why make it harder than it has to be???
 
reeferx

reeferx

Member
The attraction to R.D.P. for me was that by having a cycle you have more of a symbiotic thing going on as I understand it. (please correct me if I am wrong!)
One source is releasing Co2 while the other consumes it.
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
I run lights on mine 24/7 for the reasons stated....prevents caluperas from going sexual and increases growth rate....but mine is located in a seperate room behind the display and is simply more convinent to maintain 24/7 cycle......either way you go I would say that a well set-up refugium can be one of the most productive filtering elements of a reef.
 
bluto

bluto

Member
If you run them 24/7 in the refugium, does that mean it's possible to go with a lower wattage?
Planning my next setup.
Bluto
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top