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mxsnow145
Guest
should i have a light on my refugium? if so what kind of lighting should i have and where can i order it from?
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387219/refugium-light-dark#post_3405437
should i have a light on my refugium? if so what kind of lighting should i have and where can i order it from?
Do you have any macro algaes in it?
Having a light on the refugium that runs on an opposite light cycle from the main tank can help keep pH stable throughout the night, as it tends to drops once the lights are off.
I have a cheap Marineland LED light over my refugium, it grows macro algae just fine. I'd never use it for a reef application, but for macro, it's great.
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387219/refugium-light-dark#post_3405437
should i have a light on my refugium? if so what kind of lighting should i have and where can i order it from?
Do you have any macro algaes in it?
Having a light on the refugium that runs on an opposite light cycle from the main tank can help keep pH stable throughout the night, as it tends to drops once the lights are off.
I have a cheap Marineland LED light over my refugium, it grows macro algae just fine. I'd never use it for a reef application, but for macro, it's great.
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mxsnow145
Guest
ok im on the 2nd week of cycling my tank so i only have sand and rock in my refugium.
jerth6932
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387219/refugium-light-dark#post_3405444
ok im on the 2nd week of cycling my tank so i only have sand and rock in my refugium.
You would be fine to add some macro's in there as soon as you find a suitable light source. I have a hang on light from wally world, with a grow bulb in it and it sustains my Cheato and Mangroves just fine. Doesn't have to be fancy, just a safe/decent light source (algae isn't hard to grow...)!
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///forum/thread/387219/refugium-light-dark#post_3405444
ok im on the 2nd week of cycling my tank so i only have sand and rock in my refugium.
You would be fine to add some macro's in there as soon as you find a suitable light source. I have a hang on light from wally world, with a grow bulb in it and it sustains my Cheato and Mangroves just fine. Doesn't have to be fancy, just a safe/decent light source (algae isn't hard to grow...)!
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mxsnow145
Guest
so what kind of macros should i put in there?
btldreef
Moderator
so what kind of macros should i put in there?
It's really personal preference. A lot of people grow chaeto because it's a quick grower and fairly easy. I grow a lot of different types of caulerpa, graciliara and other red algae because I have a display refugium, so it needs to be neater than one that's hidden under the tank.
Some algae, such as halimeda, sucks calcium from the water, so use those sparingly.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I prefer chaeto too because it's easy to harvest and it won't spore on you. Some types of caulerpa will go asexual on you and destroy your tank! It's hard to distinguish between caulerpa prolifera and caulerpa toxifolia (sp?).
If I were you, I would buy one of those little clip on lamps from walmart and put it on a timer opposite from your display tank lights.
If I were you, I would buy one of those little clip on lamps from walmart and put it on a timer opposite from your display tank lights.
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saxman
Guest
Don't add any macro till your tank has cycled...it's counter productive since the macro will use the NH3 before the bacteria you're trying to colonize can feed on it.
Quote:
I prefer chaeto too because it's easy to harvest and it won't spore on you. Some types of caulerpa will go asexual on you and destroy your tank! It's hard to distinguish between caulerpa prolifera and caulerpa toxifolia (sp?).
If you can't tell the difference between C. prolifera and C. taxifolia, you may want to stay clear of them, because they look nothing alike, other than being green. Also, what you're referring to is the macro going SEXUAL, not ASEXUAL. "Asexual" by definition means "sexless".
The feathery macro in this pic is C. taxifolia...AKA "feather" Caulerpa. Note the pinnate (feathery) edges of the blades:
Here is a pic showing the flat blades of C. prolifera (photo by Katherine Grablow):
Quote:
I prefer chaeto too because it's easy to harvest and it won't spore on you. Some types of caulerpa will go asexual on you and destroy your tank! It's hard to distinguish between caulerpa prolifera and caulerpa toxifolia (sp?).
If you can't tell the difference between C. prolifera and C. taxifolia, you may want to stay clear of them, because they look nothing alike, other than being green. Also, what you're referring to is the macro going SEXUAL, not ASEXUAL. "Asexual" by definition means "sexless".
The feathery macro in this pic is C. taxifolia...AKA "feather" Caulerpa. Note the pinnate (feathery) edges of the blades:
Here is a pic showing the flat blades of C. prolifera (photo by Katherine Grablow):
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mxsnow145
Guest
@saxman so once i do add macro what kind should i add?
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saxman
Guest
It's up to you...and what your system will grow.
If it's just for the sump and nutrient export, Chaetomorpha is fine, but I prefer other species in the DT as they're prettier. Altho, you can't beat a good wad of Cheato for raising pods.
If it's just for the sump and nutrient export, Chaetomorpha is fine, but I prefer other species in the DT as they're prettier. Altho, you can't beat a good wad of Cheato for raising pods.
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mxsnow145
Guest
@saxman whats a DT
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mxsnow145
Guest
0ok