fuge light question?

[D&KSac]

How long do you guys run the light on your fuge per day. Just curious since my old tank did not have a fuge.

 

[jtarmitage]

I run mine from 8pm to 8am.

 

[Trevor S]

i run my 24x7

 

[ReefnAv]

24x7 Here too..

 

[jtarmitage]

I've noticed that my cheato growth slows a bit when I was running it 24/7, and picked up when I shut it down for half the day. Anyone else notice this.

 

[edsimmons]

24x7

 

[kdblove_99]

24/7

 

[bobbyblank]

I run mine for 12 on 12 off. It turns on at midnight so i dont see it and turns off at 12pm. I think its better to not run 24x7 like jtarmitage said. The inactive photoperiod gives the algea some time to build cells and grow. JMO

 

[funman1]

24/7 on the nanos
and like 7A to 7P on my 30G

 

[D&KSac]

Thanks guys think im gonna try 12 on 12 off. See how it does. Oh and Steve nice 3000 posts.

 

[funman1]

Haha Thanks!!!

I didn't even catch that!!!

 

[kevin95695]

Round the clock.

 

[TeeLapia]

Go alternate lighting. Too saw less growth with 24/7 lighting as opposed to alternate lighting. I had deep green, with growth alternating the lights. Chaeto is a plant, and when the lights go out, it allows growth and sucks up nutrition (no2?)... etc etc.... Doesn't hurt to try for 3 mos. then if you see no change try 24/7 lighting thereafter. Sometimes I have heard giving it 1 hour breaks works as well.

 

[H20Sidhe]

I run mine on (almost) a reverse photo period from the main tank. That can help stabilize any pH fluctuation from excess CO2. During the day, plants use CO2 and give off O2 (animals take in O2 and give off CO2). At night plants also give off CO2, which can drop the pH of the tank when the CO2 combines with H2O and becomes carbonic acid. By running the tank lights during the day & the fuge lights during the night, some people report that they don't have the pH drop they see when the entire system is dark at night.

The other thing to keep in mind is whether you grow cheato to primarily export nutrients, or to grow big and fast. There may be a correlation (more chaeto will bind more nitrate & phosphate) but remember the ultimate purpose. :lol:

 

[D&KSac]

Thanks Sherie for the information. The main reason i wanted the Fuge is to help control the phosphates and nitrates. The added nutrients are an added bonus imo. The biggest thing is the fuge is on the back of the show tanks so a light shines through the blue acrylic and when the halides are off looks kinda funky to have the light bleeding out of the back. But if its more benificial to have it on a reverse photo period im sure ill get used to the light shinning through. Anyway thanks again for the info.

 

[boviac]

I too have mine now setup running 12 on/off on reverse PP: 6pm to 6am. It hangs on the back of my tank and puts out enough light, that with a 2yo leaving things out... it makes a great night light.