what is the best Light for a Refugium ???

[ivasawajin]

i have a 20w pinkish red flourescent ( dont know the K) for my 50cm * 50 CM refuguim . i has live sand and 3 plants , one that looks like football field grass and one that looks like weed and one with little green square dots and leafs . is this light enough or wrong and what esle whould i but cuz here in IRAN my choices are so limited . my tank is a 230G reef tank by the way . and how long should i turn the ligh on ??? some say 24/7 . and PLZ answer both questions PLZ .

 

[jstdv8]

Algae to grow the best needs a little downtime to rest, Ive read that this is actually when it does most of its work is when the light is off.
A lighting schedule of 16-18 hours on and the remainder off would give you best results.

 

[ivasawajin]

WHAT ABOUT THE lighting ?

 

[jstdv8]

I don't know about cheato or otehr macro algaes, but the hair algae that hepls keep the oceans clean on the beach rocks will grow great in a 2700k- 6500k range, I
ve had great luk growing it with both 2700k and 5000k full spectrum bulbs.
Algae isnt very picky though, you see lots of hair algae growing in tanks with 10k lights or higher

 

[gill again68]

For my refugium I have a 6500K light. I had one that was less but this worked the best for me. Also make sure the light is direct and not pointed in an indirect fashion. This will also make all the difference in the world.